SRCSGT | U | Environmental Consulting Services are needed to Develop a Powerpoint presentation, and Organize and develop a professional development training module.

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 18, 2004 FBO #0996
SOURCES SOUGHT

U -- Environmental Consulting Services are needed to Develop a Powerpoint presentation, and Organize and develop a professional development training module.

Notice Date: 8/16/2004
Notice Type: Sources Sought
Contracting Office: BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PO BOX 25007, D-7810 DENVER CO 80225
ZIP Code: 80225
Solicitation Number: 04SQ810169
Response Due: 8/27/2004
Archive Date: 8/16/2005
Point of Contact: LISA HAYES PURCHASING AGENT 3034452606 lhayes@do.usbr.gov;
E-Mail Address: Email your questions to Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: Sources Sought (Best Value) The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has a requirement for Environmental Consulting Services to Develop a Powerpoint presentation which articulates the benefits of interpretation to Reclamation, and Organize and develop a professional development training module that focuses on interpretive master planning. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and using the best value method. The requirement of this best value method is that contractors interested in this procurement have some knowledge of the following areas below (see paragraph 4 - Contractor Qualifications) and will be evaluated, along with price. 1. INTRODUCTION: Reclamation hosts 90 million recreation visits each year and that number is increasing. This presents a significant opportunity to help achieve Reclamation's mission through public education and interpretation. Thus, this project proposes a multi-faceted strategy for enhancing Reclamation's understanding, skills, and abilities in interpretation, including interpretive planning and the development of interpretive media and services. For the purposes of this statement of work, the following terms and concepts will apply to the proposed strategy: 1.1 Informal Education or Informal Learning - Teaching and learning that takes place in non-traditional settings (i.e., not formal K-12 education) such as recreation areas/parks, forests, reservoirs/lakes, nature centers, visitor centers, museums, science centers, open spaces and natural areas, and historic sites. With this type of learning, participation is voluntary, learning is self-directed, motivation is intrinsic, and involvement is often short term such as in many recreation opportunities. Interpretation and environmental education are types of informal education. 1.2 Interpretation - A communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interest of the audience and the inherent meanings in the resources (National Association for Interpretation, 2003). Interpretation is typically classified as: (a) personal - that which utilizes staff or volunteers in its delivery such as living history, storytelling, walks and talks, tours, interpretive theater, and so forth (b) non-personal - that which does not require staff or personnel in its delivery such as signs, exhibits, and publications (c) facilities - those buildings or built facilities that might utilize both personal and non-personal media, but which serve as a focal point for visitor information, orientation, and wayfinding 1.3 Environmental Education - a learning process that increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action toward a sustainable environment (UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1978) 1.4 Interpretive Planning - the decision-making process that blends management needs and resource considerations with visitor desire and ability to pay (with time, interest, and/or dollars) to determine the most effective way to communicate the message to targeted markets (Brochu, 2003) However, few staff in Reclamation has responsibilities or competencies which focus directly on interpretation/education. In addition, consistent guidance across the agency for interpretive media and services does not exist. Increasingly, due to the growing numbers of visitors at Reclamation sites, the agency recognizes the need for enhancing its interpretation capabilities. The acronym I/EE (Interpretation and Environmental Education) will be used throughout the statement of work to represent the predominant form of informal learning in recreation settings as described above. However, I/EE can also represent public relations, law enforcement, and maintenance efforts that impact or influence visitor awareness, learning and/or behavior as part of a recreation experience. 2. BACKGROUND: The recreation and tourism industry is the Western States' largest industry and the nation's second largest employer. National surveys show that water-based recreation activities, such as those at Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) reservoirs and lakes, are among the most popular of all outdoor recreation activities. Currently, there are about 90 million visits to Reclamation's designated recreation areas each year. These recreation visits represent 90 million potential opportunities for educational encounters with visitors to Reclamation sites. In its Recreation Management Policy, Reclamation acknowledges its role in education by suggesting that: (a) The natural, historical, and cultural resources entrusted to Reclamation be protected, conserved, preserved, enhanced, and interpreted (b) Necessary planning studies, research, assessments, and public involvement processes be conducted in conjunction with managing partners, to provide recreation facilities, opportunities, and services commensurate with public needs and Reclamation responsibilities and objectives (c) Active partnerships, outreach and communication efforts are promoted with stakeholders, the Congress, and the public to ensure successful implementation of recreation management actions The mission of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. It is further stated in Reclamation's vision statement that through leadership, use of technical expertise, efficient operations, responsive customer service and the creativity of people, Reclamation will seek to protect local economies and preserve natural resources and ecosystems through the effective use of water. Water for agriculture, industrial, and municipal uses as well as water for hydropower are priorities of the agency. 3. SCOPE: The primary purpose of this statement of work is to describe a multi-faceted strategy for building institutional capacity in education and interpretation within Reclamation that is based on Reclamation-wide needs and priorities. The statement of work has two primary objectives: (a) Convert managers and field staff into advocates and practitioners of interpretation by describing how interpretation benefits them directly in their work, how it benefits Reclamation at-large, and how it benefits Reclamation visitors as consumers of recreation and resource experiences. (b) Enhance staff capabilities in interpretive planning to ensure consistency in all of Reclamation's planning efforts. 4. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS: For potential Contractor to be considered qualified for this scope of work, firm or individual(s) should possess the following: (a) Knowledge and demonstrated experience in interpreting the construction, operation, and maintenance of water development projects including dams, powerplants, water conveyance features, visitor centers, and water-based recreation activities and developments. (b) Familiarity with Reclamation's policies and programs. (c) Advanced degree(s) in natural resource management, outdoor recreation, interpretation, informal education, planning or related field or demonstrated commensurate experience in same or similar disciplines. (d) Working knowledge of and demonstrated experience in interpretative planning as it relates specifically to natural resource or land management agencies. Contractor will be able to document no less than 5 years experience and no fewer than 3 completed interpretative plans that demonstrate knowledge of and experience in interpretive planning and resource agency management and planning. (e) Effective written and verbal abilities for effective communication with diverse groups (resource managers), various stakeholder groups, planners, general public, other interpretive specialists). Advanced communication abilities and/or teaching experience highly desirable. (f) Demonstrated ability to integrate technology (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Freelance, Adobe Illustrator, Publisher or similar design/presentation programs) as an effective teaching and/or communication tool. It is anticipated that the performance period shall commence upon date of award through 18 months to complete all tasks. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 541620, with a small business size standard of $6.0 Million. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) will be issued on or about September 1, 2004. Interested sources may access the RFQ No. 04SQ810163 from the internet website address at http://ideasec.nbc.gov/. Inquiries interested regarding this procurement please e-mail Lisa D. Hayes at lhayes@do.usbr.gov. See Note 1.
Web Link: Please click here to view more details.
(http://ideasec.nbc.gov/j2ee/announcementdetail.jsp?serverId=BR142581&objId=86986)
Place of Performance: Address: Denver, CO; Zip Code: 80225; Country: USA
Record: SN00644764-W 20040818/040816212404 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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U -- Environmental Consulting Services are needed to Develop a Powerpoint presentation, and Organize and develop a professional development training module.