Background
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) is the Regional Ocean Partnership in the Mid-Atlantic and includes the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Established in 2009 by the Governors of these states, MARCO works on shared issues that benefit from interstate collaboration and coordinated problem-solving. MARCO works to protect and improve the health of the Mid-Atlantic’s ocean and coastal ecosystems and economies through regional ocean planning, data sharing, and collaborative efforts around the following shared priorities:
- Coordinate the protection of important and unique marine habitats.
- Promote a regional approach to support the sustainable development of offshore renewable energy.
- Increase understanding of, and help coastal communities prepare for, climate change impacts.
- Support efforts that improve the region’s ocean and coastal water quality.
- Supporting actions that create a more sustainable and inclusive blue economy in the Mid-Atlantic.
- Being inclusive of a broader diversity of people and partners – including Tribal nations and underrepresented or under-resourced communities or interests.
Please see MARCO’s most recent Work Plan for more background about MARCO.
Position Summary/Overview:
A contractor will provide assistance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean’s (MARCO) Science Program Manager and the Offshore Wind Regional Collaboration (OWRC) in convening a Central Atlantic Transmission Planning Subcommittee, which will support the OWRC’s forthcoming 2025-2026 work plan. The Central Atlantic Transmission Planning Subcommittee (“Transmission Subcommittee”) will provide a forum for states, federal agencies, tribal representatives, fisheries management entities, and regional stakeholders to collaborate on aspects of Central Atlantic offshore wind energy transmission, including but not necessarily limited to identifying data and information needs that would support transmission planning in the region.
Task 1: Identify data and information needs in support of offshore wind energy transmission planning in the Central Atlantic.
- Convene the Central Atlantic Transmission Subcommittee to collaboratively identify information needs:
- Work with MARCO and its Mid-A Ocean Planning Committee to identify and invite Subcommittee participants.
- Coordinate regular meetings, the frequency of which will be determined by the Subcommittee during its first meeting and will be based on need.
- Produce meeting summaries after each Subcommittee meeting.
- Produce a technical report articulating information and data needs that were identified by the Transmission Subcommittee.
Task 2: Scope and plan an in-person workshop on regional offshore wind transmission planning, to be held in the first quarter of calendar year 2026.
- Manage all logistics associated with location identification and confirmation, attendee management, and materials circulation.
- Work closely with MARCO on agenda and material development.
Task 3: Coordinate with MARCO staff and leadership, and other work groups as needed.
- Providing weekly updates to MARCO staff on the latest developments within the industry and with policy/agency developments related to OSW.
- As requested/needed, provide updates to other MARCO work groups to support regional planning efforts, as well as regional data and information sharing.
It is expected that this contract will represent approximately 20 hours per week, will be considered part-time, and is fully remote. There will be some expected travel (which is reimbursed to the contractor through MARCO) including, but not limited to, the MARCO Ocean Forum in Baltimore, MD the week of May 5, 2025.
This position could be filled by an individual or a consultant team. If a team is applying, please make sure to include the qualifications of each member of the team.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in the offshore wind energy industry, and/or offshore wind-related data and analysis.
- Experience with coastal and ocean policy and planning, with preference given to experience in the Mid-Atlantic region (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York).
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Experience distilling complex science into plain language summaries and/or tangible recommendations for a non-expert audience.
- Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred) in a related field (oceanography, environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental policy) or the equivalent work-related experience.
Application Instructions:
Interested parties should submit the following:
- A description of you/your organization’s qualifications to accomplish this scope.
- A detailed project timeline, including key milestones and deliverables, and a budget breakdown that aligns with the project scope and objectives. This should include indirect and fringe rates, travel costs, and any other information or other direct costs deemed necessary to accomplish the desired outcomes.
- Resumes of those that would be working on this project.
Please submit your proposal to Avalon Bristow, MARCO Executive Director, at info@midatlanticocean.org by January 31, 2025. Include OFFSHORE WIND CONTRACTOR in the subject line.
Terms and Conditions
- Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and MARCO reserves the right to extend or reopen this call for proposals.
- References may be requested by MARCO.
- MARCO reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal at its discretion.
- All proposals must be valid for a period of 30 days after the submission deadline.
- The selected consultant will enter into a formal contract with CSSF on behalf of MARCO.