REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
BENEFICIARY COUNTRY:
Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation & Turkmenistan
REFERENCE NUMBER:
EOI/00069845/2009/03
DESCRIPTION:
Senior Ecosystem-Based Management Consultant
Caspian Sea Ecoregional Assessment: Development and Application of Ecosystem-based
Bioresources Management (EBBM) Tools for the Caspian Sea
UNCCS CODE:
573400 - Ecosystems
DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF EOI:
12 November 2009
POSTING DATE:
27 October 2009
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & MAIN TASKS
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Leadership and guidance of overall EBBM process, including developing the Terms of
Reference for the EBBM working group described above.
 Provision of technical expertise in building and applying critical EBBM models.
 Design and conduct training seminars for regional experts and government officials in
the application of EBBM tools and processes.
MAIN TASKS:
Design and conduct a Caspian Ecoregional Assessment that links biodiversity
conservation and fisheries management objectives through an ecosystem-based
bioresources management approach.
This activity will be implemented through the following three steps or similar steps to be
refined and elaborated by the consultant:
Step 1: Identify EBBM objectives, targets, conservation goals, and relevant
threats and human uses.
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Identify EBBM Objectives: overarching aims and intended products from the effort
(sustain fisheries, conserve biodiversity, etc)
Select EBBM Targets (species, habitats) - primary focus of planning effort)
Set Conservation Goals (How many of the targets are required to achieve
objectives?)
Identify Threats and Human Uses Relevant to EBBM
UNOPS - EUO IW Cluster
Midtermolen 3
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 3546 7660
Fax: +45 3546 7501
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
www.unops.org
Step 2: Design, oversee and conduct biodiversity and fisheries information
review to build QA, geographically linked database for EBBM.
A) Caspian biodiversity review. Conduct a desk-based comprehensive Caspian-wide
review of biodiversity assessments and literature to evaluate the present state of
knowledge of the full spectrum of Caspian biodiversity (species, habitats, ecosystems)
by known population sizes, status/condition, and location. This work will draw
extensively upon previous CEP reviews and assessments of national and regional
databases as well as biodiversity and contaminant data made available by petroleum
company surveys.
B) Caspian fisheries review. Conduct a desk-based comprehensive Caspian-wide review
of assessments and literature on target commercial fish species (kilka, herrings,
mullet, kutum, sturgeon) and their associated Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUF) and
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)1.
Note: A and B above will build upon the biodiversity data gathered by CEP and CEP
partners (e.g. the fisheries research institutes in the Caspian region and the Caspian
International Seal Survey or CISS) and will involve synthesizing information available
in the published and unpublished literature. Targeted field studies co-funded by
partners may also be required to supplement this data.
Step 3: Develop spatial databases and establish analysis units to support
spatial analysis and modeling.
Building upon A, B above. Compile geographically linked data on anthropogenic
impacts (areas of lesser and greater fishing effort, areas with higher/lower levels of
pollution) and existing designated land-uses (e.g. protected areas; oil platforms).
Information gathered in A/B above should be location specific if possible and recorded
in 500/1,000 ha planning/mapping units. This activity will build on CEP mapping,
including IMAPS and Coastal Sensitive Sites Inventory.
Step 4: Operationalize bioresources-based ecosystem modeling tool based
upon the above work and information.
Generate and apply EBBM “Ecopath/Ecospace” model to in order to provide insights
into the structure and dynamics of the Caspian’s aquatic/marine ecosystem.
1
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Ecopath/Ecospace is innovative for its ability to represent complex ecosystems
using relatively simplified equations and smaller data requirements in order to
obtain an accurate picture of the entire ecosystem. These simplified requirements
are what have allowed Ecopath to be applied to so many marine ecosystems and
what makes it particularly appropriate for the Caspian Sea.
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TA and training will enable Caspian scientists to create an ecological pathway
model utilizing “Ecopath/Ecospace” software, a fisheries-based ecosystemmodeling tool, in order to help stakeholders begin to understand better the
complex biological inter-relationships of the Caspian ecosystem.
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The “Ecopath/Ecospace” model will be used to investigate energy flow through
the Caspian food web focusing on: a) limited number of commercially significant
species; b) functional groups of top predators; c) producers (phytoplankton),
All waters and substrates necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity.
UNOPS - EUO IW Cluster
Tel: +45 3546 7660
Midtermolen 3
Fax: +45 3546 7501
2100 Copenhagen
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
Denmark
www.unops.org
consumer (zooplankton), planktivorous fishes (herrings, kilka) and a broad
aggregate of non-commercial fishes (gobies).
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The effects of fishing and eutrophication on the Caspian Sea ecosystem will be
investigated using a dynamic mass-balance model Ecopath with Ecosim. A
balanced model is built using several ecological groups including bacteria,
phytoplankton, zooplankton, protozoa, ctenophores, medusa, fishes and Caspian
Seal. The 3 fish groups are representative of the dominant species in each
category. These are kilka, for the planktivores, herrings, salmon, inconnu
representing pelagic predators, and sturgeon, kutum in the demersal fish group.
Step 5. Select Sites: generate and apply site selection model.
Utilizing open access Marxan modeling software, this model will produce priority site
selection scenarios and input these scenarios into a fisheries-based ecosystem
modeling approach. Based upon Steps 1 and 2 and 3 above, provide TA and training
to Caspian stakeholders to enable them to:
- Identify priority conservation areas, in particular spawning, feeding and nurseries
grounds for demersal species like sturgeon, using software tools that allow the
combination of information on species, habitats, ecosystems and threats to the
Caspian environment with marine fish targets and fishing effort. This allows for
biodiversity and fishery objectives to be jointly accounted for within a single
decision support system. EBM will aim at preserving and, where appropriate,
rebuilding the reproductive capacity of the target resources and their recruitment.
- Input these site-selection scenarios into a fisheries-based ecosystem model
(Ecospace) to inform decision making across biodiversity conservation and fishery
production objectives.
Step 6. Finalize final products and presentation to stakeholders for discussion.
Finalize the ecoregional assessment, ecosystem modeling, site selection, and fisheries
management tools. Send draft around region for regional peer review for final
ecoregional assessment report. Secure commitments from five Caspian states for
continuing the EBBM process and implementing specific recommendations.
Crosscutting activity steps 1-5: Capacity building for EBBM.
In each of the steps, capacity building must be built in. Each mission to the region
should include a robust “training while doing” element that is designed to measure
“before and after” improvement in awareness and knowledge of key EBBM issues.
Expected Procurement Components
PRIMARY DELIVERABLES
1) Caspian Ecoregional Assessment (English, Russian, Farsi?):
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The database that includes all spatial data and information on fisheries statistics,
environmental conditions, stock assessments that can be shared.
Specific information describing decision support, including the tools and input files
necessary to examine alternative options.
The final ecoregional assessment report with a complete description of the effort
including priorities and priority sites that were identified.
UNOPS - EUO IW Cluster
Midtermolen 3
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 3546 7660
Fax: +45 3546 7501
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
www.unops.org
Indicator: Final Eco-regional Assessment technically cleared by the CTA in
consulation with Tehran Convention Interim SecretariatStrengthened Capacity
Capacity building generally refers to efforts to nurture and apply the capabilities of
people and institutions at various levels. Work under this consultancy will focus on
beginning to build the necessary human and informational resources to do
management at ecosystem scales.
A critical deliverable from this consultancy will be measured improvement in
knowledge or ability w/respect to EBM – this means designing simple tests or quizzes
to assess EBM knowledge and ability before hand and after the training event and at
the beginning and at the end of the process.
Indicator: % improvement in knowledge of EBBM as measured through before and
after quizzes associated with each training and with the overall process (first and last
meeting).
2) Changed Practices
This is another critical deliverable – tangible, changed practices or behavior on the
part of key institutions in the region. This deliverable must drive the more detailed
design of how this work will be conducted. For example, the following question
should be discussed and answered at the first regional meeting under this
consultancy: “How can counterparts show in tangible and measurable terms that
their agencies recognize the importance of EBM, and are utilizing the tools generated
by them with the help of this sub-contract?”
Indicator: To be determined at First Regional Meeting. Among the possibilities:
Caspian Aquatic Bioresources Commission endorses the Ecoregional Assessment.
National Fishery management agencies endorse Ecoregional assessment and primary
recommendations. National environmental authorities endorse Ecoregional
assessment and primary recommendations. Tehran Convention applies specific
recommendations to its multi-year work plan.
5. Key Considerations:
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Much thought should be given in the recommendations with respect to how to
progress from data poor to data rich EBBM (e.g. facilitated by greater understanding
of how ecosystems respond to alternative fishing strategies.
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EBM should be tailored to the management capacity available in the Caspian region
and should allow for sequential improvements.
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How can the region transition to EBBM (compensation for fishers, etc…)? What
have other countries or regions done to fix their degraded fisheries and bioresources?
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Contractor should collaborate closely with the project’s work to create a unified
environmental monitoring program for the Caspian in order to ensure that the EBBM
work supports the long-term monitoring program.
6.
BUDGET:
Total Cost approx:
UNOPS - EUO IW Cluster
Midtermolen 3
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
95,000 (including travel)
Tel: +45 3546 7660
Fax: +45 3546 7501
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
www.unops.org
Special Procurement Conditions and Additional Information
UNOPS invites suppliers capable of providing the consultancy services in above category
to submit their expression of interest.
In order to be considered as a potential supplier, interested enterprises should submit
their Expression of Interest including the following information:
-
brief presentation of your enterprise including number of staff, turnover, years in
business
-
reference list demonstrating your qualifications for participating in this possible
upcoming bidding process
-
other requirements, if any (e.g. client specific requirements stated in the
agreement with the client)
-
contact information (full name and address, country, telephone and fax numbers,
e-mail address, website and contact person)
The Expression of Interest and accompanying documents must be received by UNOPS no
later than 12 November 2009 on the address below. Suppliers may submit the EOI
online by clicking the “EOI” link for this opportunity on “Current business opportunities”
on www.unops.org, register and enter the data into the EOI form and then click
“submit”.
Alternatively, Expressions of Interest can be sent by e-mail or fax (max. 10 pages) to
the contact person below. Please indicate Ref. No.: EOI/00069845/2009/03 on all
submissions.
This call for Expression of Interest does not constitute a solicitation. UNOPS reserves the
right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or solicitation
process. UNOPS also reserves the right to require compliance with additional conditions
as and when issuing the final solicitation documents. Submitting a reply to a call for EOI
does not automatically guarantee receipt of the solicitation documents when issued.
Invitations to bid or requests for proposals and any subsequent purchase order or
contract will be issued in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNOPS.
UNOPS Contact Information
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UNOPS
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Tel: +45 3546 7518
Fax: +45 3546 7501
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
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UNOPS - EUO IW Cluster
Midtermolen 3
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 3546 7660
Fax: +45 3546 7501
E-mail: fredrikl@unops.org
www.unops.org