SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Education and Outreach for the Conservation of Three Grouper Species I in the U.S. Caribbean
- Notice Date
- 7/1/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Central Region Acquisition Division, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- NFFN5300-8-37316SLW
- Response Due
- 7/10/2008
- Archive Date
- 7/11/2008
- Point of Contact
- Sharon L. Walker, Phone: (816)426-7470
- E-Mail Address
-
sharon.walker@noaa.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), located in Boqueron, PR., intends to issue a fixed price purchase order for the dissemination of information on the status of goliath and Nassau grouper and red hind in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Workshops for restaurant owners and operators to discuss the importance of purchasing fish that comply with fisheries regulations in order to protect commercial species will be completed as part of this project. The educational materials created for restaurants in FY07 will be disseminated during these workshops. Interactions with commercial fishers in USVI, perhaps during the license renewal period in July 2009, and with commercial fishers in Puerto Rico in cooperation with either the CFMC or the PR Department of Agriculture Fisheries Development Program will also be completed. The project will also examine how coastal development affects the juvenile habitat of groupers and how declines in nursery habitat may contribute to declines in their stocks based on data obtained during the FY07 portion of this work. This work will support local efforts to increase public awareness and reduce the impacts of overfishing, which are focal areas of the Coral Reef Task Force, as well as the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Local Action Strategies. This project is being initiated as part of the Southeast Regional Office's work under the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). This project is also being initiated as a component of NOAA Fisheries' efforts on behalf of the Coral Reef Task Force established by President Clinton in June 1998 through Executive Order #13089. The Executive Order, identified as Coral Reef Protection, seeks to "preserve and protect the biodiversity, health, heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and marine environment." In order to meet the objective of this work assignment, the contractor shall complete the work in two distinct tasks: completion of a workshop series and compilation of information on declines in nursery habitats and species' stocks. Short -term results will consist of the educating of stakeholders in the tourism industry regarding the importance of grouper conservation. Long-term results will consist of improved compliance with regulations protecting the species and enhancement of species' stocks. If no qualified responses are received, the Government intends to contract with the MRAG Americas, Inc. MRAG, specifically Dr. Sarah Frias-Torres, has been Co-Principal Investigator (PI) on research projects related to studies of red hind and goliath and Nassau grouper, including in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and assisted in the writing of the internal NOAA CRCP proposal through which this work assignment was funded. MRAG specializes in work related to fisheries management, investigations, and education, including designing, planning, and completing workshops with fishers and other stakeholders for entities such as NOAA Fisheries and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. Therefore, MRAG has the resources and data on the status of Nassau and goliath grouper and red hind necessary to complete the work in a timely manner. Dr. Frias-Torres of MRAG is the person in possession of the data to be presented to stakeholders in completion of this work assignment. Dr. Frias-Torres and MRAG have the ability to produce bilingual workshop materials and complete all aspects of workshop planning and implementation such that NOAA Fisheries needs only to attend the workshops as a participant. MRAG as an intermediary is the only known mechanism available to NOAA Fisheries to accomplish this project. MRAG Americas, Inc. is a small, independent consulting firm dedicated to promoting sustainable use of aquatic resources. The company has a long history and experience conducting marine conservation, outreach, and resource management in the Caribbean region, in addition to experience in the development of educational and bilingual materials. The company has developed and produced materials such as project reports, newsletters, announcements, posters, web pages, brochures, training courses, workshops, and manuals. The company has completed several projects for NOAA and NOAA Fisheries. The anticipated performance period is date of award through September 30, 2009. To be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide service. Such information shall include, at a minimum, name, telephone number and address of concerns for which you have furnished this service previously. Information should provide sufficient detail that demonstrates the firm's knowledge and ability to perform the requirement. Only affirmative responses to this notice will be evaluated to the extent necessary for the Government to determine whether it is feasible to conduct a competitive acquisition considering demonstrated knowledge and experience. Submissions received in response to this notice shall be evaluated based on demonstrated technical ability to successfully provide the required services as stated herein. This notice is for service for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. Interested parties must respond within (10) days after publication of this notice. If no affirmative responses are received, the government intends to issue a purchase order to the MRAG Americas, Inc. Faxed responses can be sent to 816-274-6983, Attn: Sharon Walker. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon the response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The NACIS code for this action is 541690. The Central Region Administrative Division (CRAD) requires that all contractors doing business with the Acquisition Office must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following website: 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 https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505. The government now requires all contractors submit their Certification and Representation thru the on-line Business Partner Network (BPN). The BPN is the single source for vendor data for the federal government. Contractors should go on-line at www.bpn.gov. Award will not be made to any contractor that is not registered in CCR and BPN. Responses should be faxed to 816-274-6983. Attn: Sharon Walker.
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