SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- COOK ISLANDS AND FIJI SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS
- Notice Date
- 6/14/2007
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, WA, 98115-6349, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- WRAD-07-0504-NFFT5000-7-15385
- Response Due
- 6/29/2007
- Archive Date
- 7/14/2007
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for services that are being procured in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures. The office of NOAA Pacific Island and Area Office located in Honolulu, HI is seeking for a contractor to provide Cook Island and Fiji Sea turtle Conservation Management, Mitigation and Outreach Program. Objective: The purpose of the project is to increase the likelihood of survival of sea turtles that are captured during the course of commercial tuna fishing operations in both the Cook Islands and Fiji. Also to heighten awareness generally to the increased concern of the depressed state of sea turtle populations found in these countries areas under national jurisdiction and the greater western Pacific. The project has three major objectives: 1To expand the current activities of the Cook Island and Fiji marine resources fisheries observer program by increasing the capabilities of agency staff and observers in recognizing, handling, and reporting interactions between sea turtles and the relevant commercial fisheries in Cook Islands and Fiji.2To familiarize commercial fishing operations in Cook Islands and Fiji with techniques of handling sea turtles caught incidentally to fishing operations, and provide appropriate equipment and instructions on how to address specific sea turtle interaction situations.3To integrate the topic of sea turtle interaction with commercial fishing operations into the relevant marine resource agency?s ongoing fisheries management program. This will enable actors in the both the public and private sector to acquire a broader understanding of how to handle sea turtle interactions at sea and to lay the foundation for future fisheries management activities, if required. Beyond these objectives, it is expected that the project will collect baseline information on sea turtle-fisheries interactions, and enhance cooperation between the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources and the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, and other relevant government agencies or environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) involved in turtle conservation in these nations. Background: The Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) has supported projects, via grants and contracts, aimed at lessening the adverse consequences of interactions between sea turtles and commercial tuna fisheries in Pacific Island countries. These projects have been aimed at capacity building in government agencies of several Pacific Island countries engaged in marine resources management, and in heightening the awareness of sea turtle bycatch issues in the fishing industry. The focus of the projects has been to provide Pacific Island government fisheries managers and locally based commercial fishers with a broader understanding of the level and consequences of sea turtle interactions with commercial fisheries in the countries concerned, and to increase the likelihood of survival by sea turtles that are captured incidentally during the course of commercial fishing operations. Training of onboard fishery observers in sea turtle release techniques and the use of such observers as a conduit to change attitudes and enhance awareness of sea turtle bycatch issues has been crucial components in each project. Each of the countries participating in these projects to date have an ongoing or developing fisheries observer programs: Federated States of Micronesia (implementation in 2003), Marshall Islands (2003 and 2004), and Papua New Guinea (2004 and 2005), Indonesia (2004-2007), Vietnam (2006-2007) and New Caledonia (2007). Work Elements:The project consists of 5 tasks and report writing. It shall entail 50 days of in-country work spread between the Cook Islands and Fiji. For the Cook Islands it may be necessary to travel to Pago Pago American Samoa, given most of the CI high seas fishing fleet (longliners) off load there and some vessels reportedly rarely visit ports in the CI. Work shall consist of a minimum of 4 workshops (2 in each country) for observers where they shall be introduced to the subject of bycatch mitigation and will be trained in appropriate turtle bycatch mitigation techniques and the use of specific mitigation tools. Information shall be provided on the Cook Islands and Fijian turtle resource, with particular attention to those species considered most under threat at the present time. The contractor SHALL:Task 1 Preparation or compilation of instructional materials. Creation of information shall include but not be limited to the western Pacific turtle identification, de-hooking, handling in the event of hooking, for tuna longline and purse seine vessels. Provide materials for distribution of vessel operators and crew in Japanese, Korean, Bahasa, Fijian, and English.Task 2 Increasing relevant Marine Resources Staff and Observer Capabilities: Conduct four (4) workshops (2 per country) of three day duration to include training for fishery observers and industry in the proper handling of sea turtles incidentally hooked or entangled in fishing gear. During the workshops, a presentation on the importance of reducing turtle interaction from the commercial fishing industry standpoint shall be made. Mitigation devices shall be explained, and instructional materials provided. Videos showing proper mitigation techniques practiced in other longline fisheries shall be shown. Create a training syllabus for use in the training sessions as well as for use in future training sessions to be conducted by senior CI and Fiji marine resources staff, and provide reference documents for use by onboard observers. Provide relevant tools to observers and training for their use on board fishing vessels, focusing on the tuna and shark longline fisheries. The focus of activities shall be with those companies based proximal Rorotonga and Pago Pago for the Cook Islands and Suva and Lavuka for Fiji. Task 3 Integration of the Topic of Sea Turtle Interaction with Cook Island and Fiji Ongoing Fishery Management Program Review current in-country data collection programs, including purse seine and longline log-sheets and observer data collection forms and the data collection protocols, to determine what, if any, adjustments might be useful for current programs for the purpose of improving turtle related information. Recommend appropriate protocols and arrangements for the sharing of sea turtle interaction information collected by the relevant marine resource agency in each country with regional fishery management and environmental organizations. Hold two (2) one-day workshops for Rorotonga and Suva-based ENGOs to explain interaction mitigation steps being taken by the relevant marine resource management agencies and to present information on the subject. Based on the review of the data detailed above, along with any relevant information from regional organizations, provide a report to the relevant marine resource management agency detailing the extent of sea turtle interaction with commercial fisheries in each respective country. Compare and contrast these results with the results from like projects or sources of information in other Pacific Island Countries or from regional organizations. Task 4 Tuna Industry Outreach: Hold informational meetings as their schedule allows, with vessel agents and operators, explaining the importance of the topic and providing background information on devices and method to mitigate the adverse effects of interactions between sea turtles and commercial fishing in the Cook Islands and Fiji. Meet with tuna longline vessel operators and explain observer tasks and duties relating to sea turtle interaction, and provide appropriate handling and release instructions. Emphasize the new role of observers in utilizing these techniques and assisting vessel captains where necessary. Provide materials in Japanese, Fijian and Korean for longline vessel captains, and in Bahasa and English for deck bosses or others in positions of authority onboard. Provide the relevant information for any purse seine companies or operations based or operating out of Fiji regarding interactions with FADs or payao-based fishery. Task 5 Other Activities: Organize a meeting of relevant marine resource management agency staff with ENGOs, including but not be limited to, The Nature Conservancy, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the International Waters Program (IWP) based at the South Pacific Regional Environment Program, University of the South Pacific and the relevant Departments of environment / conservation to publicize the marine resource management agency?s activities and intentions with regard to sea turtle data collection, conservation, management and interaction mitigation. Establish or ensure a regular channel of communication exists between the marine resource management and environmental agencies in each country, and this can be expanded by encouraging participation of person(s) responsible to attend the workshops ito gain familiarity with the subject matter and project objectives. As this project will be the first introduction of commercial fishing interests (tuna fishing companies) into the area of turtle bycatch mitigation, the approach should be cooperative and seeking industry?s voluntary participation. NOAA FISHERIES:The NOAA Fisheries will facilitate access by the contactor to the Fijian Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources personnel. The NOAA Fisheries will request that a Fijian Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources representative, ideally one from the relevant observer program accompany the contractor and participate in all industry meetings. The NOAA Fisheries will provide access to all relevant informational materials developed to date on sea turtle identification, mitigation and handling on longline vessels fishing under domestic authorizations. Deliverable(s): The final work product shall be a report to the PIRO, indicating if each of the Task(s) were fulfilled. The report will provide copies of all training materials and syllabus developed for the various meetings / workshops detailed above, along with a copy of the report detailed in Task 3. The Report. An electronic version (MSWord) draft report shall be submitted to the PIRO for review 240 days after the date of initiation of the contract. The report will be reviewed by the PIRO and returned with written comments or suggested revisions to the contractor within 14 days. The final draft report incorporating the PIRO comments shall be submitted 20 days thereafter. The final report shall be submitted in both hard copy and electronic form (MSWord). The final report should include such visual aids as are appropriate to illustrate the findings, i.e. maps, figures, tables. The final report shall include endnotes referencing the documents consulted. Timetable: Day 1 Contract begins,Day 240 Interim Report Due. Day 274 Final Report Due.It is recognized that the planning and coordination of these activities will be challenging given communication with the DFMR ? and it is for this reason an 8 month period of time has been provided. Period of performance is from Aug 30, 2007 to April 30,2008. This notice may represent the only official notice. This is a small purchase action estimated value not to exceed $100,000.00. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation and resultant award. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.acqnet.gov/far 1. 52.213-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS (OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL ITEMS) (APR 2005) 2. 52.243-1 I CHANGES--FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1987)--ALTERNATE I (APR 1984) 3. 52.204-6 DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER (OCT 2003) 4. 52.204-7 CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2003) 5. 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2005) 6. 52.219-1 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATIONS (MAY 2004) 7. 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999) 8. 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984) 9. 52.225-13 RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES (MAR 2005) 10. 1352.239-73 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (OCT 2003)11. 1352.239-74 SECURITY PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTORS/SUBCONTRACTOR PERSONNEL FOR ACCESSING DOC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS (OCT 2003 12. 52.243-1 CHANGES--FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1987) 13. 52.244-6 SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Dec 2004) 14. 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) ****The Western Regional Acquisition Division, requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) as of October 1, 2003. After this date, NO award can be made unless the vender is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following web site: http://www.ccr.gov. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at www.dnb.com/eupdate or by phone at (800) 333-0505. All contractors are also required to complete online Representations and Certifications at HTTP://ORCA.BPN.GOV.
- Record
- SN01318724-W 20070616/070614220539 (fbodaily.com)
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