Larval fish job opportunity with the Smithsonian Institution
Assessment Services for Division of Fishes Larval Fish Collection
The National Museum of Natural History Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes is seeking a contractor to assess the research quality of 20,000 larval lots in the National Fish Collection.
The National Fish Collection currently has a large collection of uninventoried material from historic expeditions and the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center that are tentatively identified as fish larvae. A significant portion of this collection has never been assessed for physical condition, data completeness, or life stage status. Before the material can be recommended for digitization and curation, we need to determine whether lots meet key benchmarks for permanent inclusion in our collection. To complete these evaluations, the Division of Fishes is seeking a contractor to perform the following tasks (see statement of work for details):
· Determine if lot contains larval fishes or more advanced life stages
· Determine if current physical condition of specimens in lot qualifies as research quality
· Determine if lot meets minimal identification levels
· Determine if lot meets minimal locality data requirements
· Bin materials that meet or fail benchmark criteria to into separate designated holding areas
Desirable skills:
· Experience preserving, sorting and identifying larval fish
· Experience with zoological museum collections
· Experience handling fluid specimens
· Familiarity with biological nomenclature or taxonomy
· Ability to use Excel
· Strong organizational and communication skills
The contractor will be responsible for providing the labor to complete all these tasks. The Smithsonian will provide access to Smithsonian-owned computers and microscopes. Should telework be required it is expected that the contractor will provide his/her own computer running the MS-Windows operating system and Microsoft Excel, must meet OCIO computer security standards if connecting remotely to NMNH network and will have an external or cloud storage to backup work . Orientation of contractor to lab space and collection areas will be provided by the Division of Fishes collection management staff. All curation and examination supplies, including forceps, trays, ethanol, and carts will be provided by the Smithsonian.
Project work to be completed at the Museum Support Center (MSC), Suitland, MD or, as is feasible, the Natural History Building (NHB), Washington, DC during standard Division of Fishes business hours (Monday – Friday, excluding federal holidays or emergency closures, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM). Telework and alternate work schedules will be considered on a case by case basis. The contractor will not receive paid holidays, vacations, sick days, travel time or other SI leave benefits.
Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 PM EDT, Monday, Nov 10, 2020. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of best value for the money. Send proposals to Diane Pitassy via e-mail at [email protected]. Follow the format set forth in section 4 of the RFQ (below) “Information to be submitted with quotes.”
There are no benefits, tax or social security withholding associated with this contract.
The contractor must pass a background investigation before work can begin.