Request For Proposals: Developing a Framework for Promoting ECS to MUS (Proposals due by: December 25, 2025)

by | Dec 11, 2025 | News and Updates, Request for Proposals

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council), established through Congress under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) of 1976, has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction.  The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the US Exclusive Economic Zone waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawaii.

The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meets at a minimum of four times a year to conduct its business.  Funding for the Council is provided by Congress through grants administered by NOAA Fisheries. The Council headed by an Executive Director with administrative and programmatic staff based in Hawaii and US Pacific Island Territories. The Council is soliciting proposals for contractual services listed below.

CONTRACT SERVICE:  Developing a Framework for Promoting ECS to MUS

CONTRACT PERIOD: The contract will begin on or around January 1, 2026, depending on timing of funding availability.  The contract shall be completed no later than September 30, 2026.

SCOPE OF WORK:  The Contractor will work with the Council to develop a step-wise process for determining when Ecosystem Component Species (ECS) under the Council’s management is needed to be designated as a Management Unit Species (MUS).

The contractor shall:

  • Conduct a review of all information on Ecosystem Component Species and Magnuson Stevens Act provisions;
  • Compile known information that would be used in MSA provisions such as Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), Status Determination Criteria (SDC), catch limits, etc. including catch and effort, fishery independent data, life history studies and more into a useable/searchable repository for future MUS designations of ECS;
  • Develop a framework and process that lists triggers or indicators for when an ECS needs to be elevated to an MUS and the steps for that to occur in a timely manner;
  • Work with state and territorial agencies to ensure the framework is compatible with local fishery management plan efforts;
  • Provide presentations to Council advisory bodies, as appropriate.
  • Prepare monthly progress reports on the implementation of the project and updates on the data analysis; and
  • Prepare a draft report detailing the methods, results and discussion of the analysis by the end of the project period;
  • Prepare a final report that shall serve as a draft amendment, including any potential NEPA analysis, for potential Council action; and
  • Provide presentations to Council advisory bodies, as appropriate

ELIGIBILITY: The potential Contractor must:

  • Be familiar with the operational characteristics of the Western Pacific fisheries;
  • Have a demonstrated understanding and knowledge of data and literature sources on Western Pacific fisheries;
  • Be able to work independently and communicate effectively with the Council, its staff, NMFS PIFSC, and other partners as necessary; and
  • Be available to start the project in January 2026 and complete the project by September 2026.
  • S. Federal agencies and their employees are not eligible for contractual agreements with the Council;
  • Proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis. The selected proposal will be funded as a contract.

REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor will independently work in close coordination with Council staff to meet deliverable timelines.  The Contractor will communicate as needed with Council staff, NMFS and other partners as necessary.  The contractor will be required to submit regular progress reports, a final report, and any other deliverables to be identified in the contractual agreement. All end products, reports, and other deliverables resulting from this project must be submitted to the Council. The contractor must also formally acknowledge the Council support in all publications and presentations related to the funded project. The contractor is expected to produce a high quality analysis that is appropriate for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

HOW TO APPLY: Proposal submissions should include the following materials:

  • A proposal including the following items (maximum 5 pages):
    1. Name, affiliation, and contact information of the principal investigator(s)
    2. Project narrative, including the proposed analysis approach and timeline
    3. Budget (may not include overhead or indirect cost exceeding 15 percent)
    4. List of citations, if any
  • A curriculum vitae or resume for each Principal Investigator (maximum of 2 CVs per proposal; not to exceed 4 pages each).

Proposals may be submitted by e-mail (attach materials in PDF files) or regular mail to:

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400
Honolulu, HI 96813

Email: info@wpcouncil.org

Any inquiries regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed to the contact information above or calling the Council Office at (808) 522-8220

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals will be accepted until December 25, 2025, or until a contractor is engaged.

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