20/03100 Framework agreement for statistics and calculation mathematics

Description

The contracting authority started a 4-year project in 2021, 'Advanced Stock Assessment Methods', (hereafter called ASAM). ASAM will build competence in the use of advanced stock assessment models and carry out new developments of quantitative stock assessment methodology. In order to strengthen method research within stock estimations and research based consultancy, the contracting authority needs to hire consultants with expertise in statistics and calculation mathematics who will work in the integrated research team together with researchers at the contracting authority. The hired consultants will contribute to transferring competence to the contracting authority's employees. The contracting authority would like to enter into a framework agreement, limited to NOK 3 million a year, with an option for up to a 10% expansion per annum, for statistics and expertise in methods for sample surveys, processing modelling data and simulation studies. Lot 1: Tenderers must document that the extent of their expertise is sufficient to cover the breadth of the planned research assignments in the project period. The contract will cover the delivery of: 1) New model validation analyses and model selection methods that will support the choice of stock estimation models by ICES benchmark [1], and which will support further model development. 2) A good description of the limitations of the methodology that is currently used. These will be documented for the users of the models, and otherwise form the basis of further research. 3) New stock estimation methodology that addresses the limitations mapped in points 1 and 2. 4) Participation in internal, national, and international meetings on method development and the implementation of methods. The annual deliveries must be specified in accordance with the priorities in the ASAM project.