B--This is a notice to inform of the Government's intent to award a sole-source contract to Wyle Laboratories for a NoiseMap Simulation Model in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Performance Work Statement: Integration of Visitor Use Simulations and Sound Modeling to Estimate Noise Levels from Recreational Activity 1 General information 1.1 Background The National Park Service (NPS) Organic Act (16 U.S.C. l 2 3, and 4) requires that resources of National Park units be preserved unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations, and Section 4.9 of the National Park Service Management Policies (2006) applies this requirement to the preservation of acoustic resources in National Park units. Sounds associated with visitor transportation and hiking can affect the movements and behavior of wildlife, as well as the quality of other visitor's experience. Accordingly, the NPS Natural Sounds Program needs analytical tools that can model and estimate sounds associated with visitor activities. 1.2 Objective This project will demonstrate estimation of sound levels from visitor activities by integrating data from a visitor activity model with the NoiseMap Simulation Model (NMSim), using data from the Big Creek Watershed of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). 1.3 Scope of Work The Acoustics Division of Wyle Laboratories (Wyle) will utilize acoustic data collected by NPS to develop an ambient sound level model for the Big Creek Watershed of GRSM. This model will be implemented in NMSim. This sound level model will include ambient sound level characterizing acoustic conditions in the absence of anthropogenic noise, available information regarding traffic on nearby roads and aircraft overflights, data regarding hiker movement patterns and sound production, and hiker activity data produced by visitor use simulation model. 2 Government-furnished property and services 1. Natural ambient sound level data, excluding the effects of anthropogenic noise. 2. Data describing the sound source levels of hikers in GRSM. 3. As available, data regarding road traffic and aircraft overflights. 3 Contractor-furnished items and services 1. The software development environment for NMSim. 2. Programming support to modify NMSim. 3. Equipment and supplies to support software development and data analysis. 4. At least one technical expert to participate in meetings and web conferences with NPS and other research groups contributing to the project. 4 Specific tasks 1. Perform the following noise modeling analysis: A. Work with NPS to translate sound level and visitor source level data into formats suitable for integration into NMSim. B. Work with Dr. Steve Lawson and NPS to obtain data on visitor use patterns in the study area. C. Work with NPS to integrate any available information regarding traffic on nearby roads and aircraft overflight activity. D. Develop a process to translate visitor use data from visitor use simulations into a format suitable for ingestion into NMSim. 2. Produce the following documentation: A. Ambient noise maps using NMSim documenting anthropogenic noise levels from hiker sounds alone, from all other sources, and from all sources combined. B. A technical report documenting the improved noise modeling capabilities of NMSim. 3. Conduct a one day demonstration and training session for Virginia Tech and NPS employees to brief them on the capabilities of NMSim and instruct them on its use. 5 Deliverables and Schedule Deliverable, in the form of concise emails (quarterly reports) and electronic documents (final reports) delivered to the NPS COTR. Weeks after contract initiation 1. Quarterly report on expenditures and progress. 13 2. Quarterly report on expenditures and progress. 26 3. Quarterly report on expenditures and progress. 39 4. Ambient noise maps for the GRSM study area illustrating anthropogenic noise levels of hikers alone, of all noise sources other than hikers, and the combined noise levels. 46 5. Draft final report. 48 6. Revised final report, incorporating NPS comments. 51 (End)