SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Ecological Surveys S.E. Bering Sea
- Notice Date
- 3/17/2010
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, Colorado, 80305-3328, United States
- ZIP Code
- 80305-3328
- Solicitation Number
- NRMJ3000-10-03927
- Archive Date
- 4/10/2010
- Point of Contact
- Mark Caban, Phone: 303-497-6875, Mark Caban, Phone: 303-497-6875
- E-Mail Address
-
mark.caban@noaa.gov, mark.caban@noaa.gov
(mark.caban@noaa.gov, mark.caban@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- Ecological Surveys S.E. Bering Sea Spatial and temporal mapping of near-shore juvenile fish and settling crab in the North Aleutian Basin (I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 and 13.5, Test Program for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number NRMJ3000-10-03927. (III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-38. (IV) This solicitation is being issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 541690. The small business size standard is $7.0. (V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services: CLIN 0001 Ecological Surveys S.E. Bering Sea, Period of performance date of award through February 28, 2013. (VI) Description of requirements is as follows: STATEMENT OF WORK PURPOSE: Spatial and temporal mapping of near-shore juvenile fish and settling crab in the North Aleutian Basin SCOPE OR MISSION: This work will be part of a study of marine larval and juvenile fish and settling crab in the vicinity of the proposed North Aleutian Basin Lease Area to provide information required by the Minerals Management Service for the approval of exploration and/or development plans. The information gathered will also provide information required by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration for ecosystem-based management of the fisheries in the region. LOCATION OF WORK: The specific area to be covered is from Port Heiden to Cold Bay, Alaska along the northern shore from the shore to the 20 m isobath, which is about 3 miles offshore along most of the coast. BACKGROUND: This project was developed in discussions with the Minerals Management Service about how to provide sufficient spatial and temporal coverage to describe the distribution of near-shore juvenile fish and settling crab in the North Aleutian Basin. WORK TO BE PERFORMED Task 1. Local knowledge and relevant literature Identify and review the existing knowledge database for the area. This database will include, but is not limited to, published studies in the literature, MMS reports, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) reports, and interviews with people who have been working in the area. The last category will include interviews with fisheries biologists from ADFG and NOAA as appropriate and also commercial fishers. The report will also include a description of ongoing scientific studies in the area, and identify those with which collaboration might be desirable. Task 2. Adapt survey to local conditions Using the contacts made under task one, the contractor shall monitor biological activity in the region from May to August, 2010. This monitoring will take advantage of any formal and informal reports that are available. In addition, dedicated visual surveys shall be conducted from an aircraft over the area during a four week period. The specific period will be chosen to capture the highest levels of biological activity, as identified under task one. The contractor shall conduct net sampling to obtain and process samples in the region of interest. This work will use a series of tow nets from small vessels capable of sampling phytoplankton, small zooplankton species, large zooplankton (including crab larvae and larval fish) and juvenile fish species. Using hook and line, predator fish shall be sampled and the stomach contents preserved to aid in detecting mobile forage fish and juvenile fish species that may be difficult to capture with tow nets or that are patchy and therefore difficult to effectively sample. These ground sampling efforts should be conducted 1-3 times a week, depending on weather, in areas identified by the visual surveys. These areas will include "hot spots" where fish schools or foraging events have been observed, as well as "cold spots" where no schools or foraging have been visually observed from the air. This will enable us to detect "background" biological levels of activity and identify characteristics that define "hot spots". Using all the information collected under this task and task one, the contractor shall develop an optimal survey strategy for the lidar and multi-spectral surveys to be conducted in 2011 and 2012. The area to be covered is from Port Heiden to Cold Bay, Alaska along the northern shore from the shore to the 20 m isobath, which is about 3 miles offshore along most of the coast, about 170 nm of coastline. Task 3. Perform key surveys over the second and third years of the contract. Visual surveys, similar to those performed in year one, will also be performed in 2011 and 2012 to allow a comparison between the first and subsequent years. As in year one, the contractor shall also conduct net sampling to obtain and process samples in the region of interest. This work will use a series of tow nets from small vessels capable of sampling phytoplankton, small zooplankton species, large zooplankton (including crab larvae and larval fish) and juvenile fish species. Using hook and line, predator fish shall be sampled and the stomach contents preserved to aid in detecting mobile forage fish and juvenile fish species that may be difficult to capture with tow nets or that are patchy and therefore difficult to effectively sample. These ground sampling efforts should be conducted 1-3 times a week, depending on weather, in areas identified by the visual surveys. These areas will include "hot spots" where fish schools or foraging events have been observed, as well as "cold spots" where no schools or foraging have been visually observed from the air. This will enable us to detect "background" biological levels of activity and identify characteristics that define "hot spots". Task 4. Coordinate adaptive sampling In years two and three, the contractor shall coordinate the aerial surveys with marine mammal and bird surveys in the study region. If the scheduling of those corresponds with the optimal timing of lidar surveys, the lidar survey design will be adapted to make best use of those data. If they do not correspond, the contractor will make arrangements to obtain copies of any data that will help the goals of this project. These surveys would, of course, include the MMS program, "Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Use of North Pacific Right Whales," by the NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory. Other pertinent studies will be identified at the Marine Science in Alaska symposia in 2011 and 2012 and during the visual survey period in 2010. The next level of coordination is to actually combine data collection. Assuming use of the NOAA Twin Otter, there is plenty of space on the aircraft for marine mammal and bird observers. The contractor shall work with marine mammal and bird projects to see if they would like to fly the Fish LIDAR during visual surveys. The LIDAR and multispectral imager would provide a context of near surface zooplankton and fish distributions for the visual observations. These data would, of course, also extend the spatial and temporal extent of our data set. If this turns out to be feasible, a separate budget and logistical plan will be developed by the 2011 Marine Science in Alaska symposium. Task 5. Data input and analysis A data analysis plan shall be produced during the planning for the aerial surveys. It will be based on the results of Tasks 1 and 2, in which the key species and their spatial and temporal distributions will be described. This plan should include a discussion of adaptive sampling, where the LIDAR flights are modified based on the results of the visual surveys and sampling results. The data analysis plan will describe any statistical tests to be used in the analysis of the data. Task 6. Synthesize results The contractor shall collect all of the available information from previous studies, from informal sources, and from this study. This information will be examined for statistically significant spatial and temporal patterns. Of particular interest are geographically localized biological hotspots, and the underlying physical reasons for the existence of any hotspots. Also of interest are ephemeral foraging events, which could produce a significant amount of energy transfer to higher trophic levels over the course of just a few days. Additional hypotheses to be considered will arise during the course of Task 1, the review of the existing knowledge base. In addition to figures in the final report, the spatial information generated will also be provided in the form of GIS layers. This emphasis will include recommendations for future monitoring programs, including suggestions as to the best mix of lidar, multispectral, and visual observations for long-term monitoring in the region. DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE: • Quarterly progress reports • Report on the results of Task 1 - May 1, 2010 • Report on the results of Task 2 - December 31, 2010 • Plan for coordinated adaptive sampling and data analysis plan for 2011 - June 1, 2011 • Report on the results of Task 3 for 2011 - December 31, 2011 • Plan for coordinated adaptive sampling and data analysis plan for 2012 - June 1, 2012 • Report on the results of Task 3 for 2012 - December 31, 2012 • Report on the results of Task 6 - December 31, 2012 • Attend Symposium on Marine Science in Alaska - January 2011, 2012, and 2013 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS; ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVELS AND METHODS OF GOVERNMENT SURVEILANCE: -Reports and plans must be submitted on time and accepted after the first draft is reviewed. All reports will be reviewed and accepted by the COTR. -Symposium attendance will be documented with an attendance report submitted at least 30 days after the event. The attendance report will be submitted timely, reviewed and approved by the COTR. DATA/MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT: None. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This project will require expertise in marine biology, fisheries biology, or marine ecology and familiarity with LIDAR data. (VII) Place of delivery for deliverables is NOAA COTR Boulder, Colorado Period of performance shall be date of award through February 28, 2013. (VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (Jun 2008), applies to this acquisition. In addition to written price quotes, offers are instructed to provide the following: 1. Technical capability The quotation shall consist of the Contractor's outline addressing the technical and management aspects of the acquisition. It should indicate your company's capabilities and the means to be used to satisfy the requirements of the Statement of Work. It will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria contained in Clause FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (JAN 1999) and it should be specific and complete in every detail. The quote should be practical and be prepared simply and economically, providing straightforward, concise delineation of what it is the Contractor will do to satisfy the requirements of the Statement of Work. The quotation shall not merely offer to perform work in accordance with the scope of work, but shall outline the actual work proposed as specifically as practical. The Statement of Work reflects the problems and objectives of the program under consideration; therefore, repeating the Scope of Work without sufficient elaboration will not be acceptable. 2. Corporate Experience The quotation must provide the general background, experience, and qualifications of the organization, including skill mix, depth, and commitment of applicable corporate personnel. Copies of up to three relevant peer-reviewed journal articles may be included to demonstrate technical capabilities. Quality and timeliness of invoices and other submittals, customer service orientation, problem resolution policies, and approach for interfacing with government managers should be addressed. The quotation must contain a discussion of present or proposed corporate facilities/resources which will be used in the performance of the contract. 3. Past Performance The quotation must include at least 5 contract references that clearly address recent related experience (both Government and non-Government), contracts, subcontracts, and grants. Past performance on contracts with the Federal Government, other public agencies, or private organizations will be considered. The past performance information submitted may be that of the Contractor or its proposed subcontractors. Subcontractor past performance will be considered if the past performance correlates to the work the subcontractor will be performing on the contemplated task order. The contractor should include the name of the customer, including contracting agency, address, email address and phone number; contract title; contract number, type of contract, and dollar value; date of contract, period of performance, and place of performance; and a brief description of contract work scope and responsibilities. 4. Price Contractor shall provide a price for each task and a Total Firm Fixed Price for the quotation. (IX) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a), and award will be made to the firm offering the best value to the Government. (a) Award will be made to the contractor whose quotation offers the best value to the Government, price and technical factors considered. Best value is the expected outcome of the acquisition that, in the Government's estimation provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement. The Government reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest priced Contractor or to the highest evaluated Contractor if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in an award that is the best value to the Government. 1. Technical capability Evaluation of this factor will be based on information contained in the technical proposal that demonstrates the degree of the offeror's understanding of the requirements and proposed methodology. If any subcontracting is anticipated, the offeror shall identify the areas of work to be subcontracted and how the subcontracted effort will be managed to ensure satisfactory and timely performance of the work. 2. Corporate Experience Evaluation of this factor will be based on the general background, experience, and qualifications of the organization, including the skill mix and depth of experience. 3. Past performance Performance by the offeror and its subcontractor(s) as it relates to all solicitation requirements, including the quality of services and products, effectiveness of cost management/control, timeliness of performance, and customer satisfaction; and indication of ability to improve performance through proactive management. Evaluation of this factor will be based on the information contained in the technical proposal and information provided by references. The Government will evaluate past performance by contacting the references selected at random or a specific reference identified by the offeror. The Government may also consider other information available. 4. Price The price evaluation will determine whether the proposed prices are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements. Proposed prices must be entirely compatible with the technical proposal. Although price is not the most important evaluation factor, it will not be ignored. The degree of importance of the proposed price will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based. (X) The offeror must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Aug 2009), with its quote. An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (m) of this provision. (XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (Aug 2009), applies to this acquisition. (XII) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (Aug 2009) applies to this acquisition. The following clauses under subparagraph (b) apply: 52.222-50 Combating trafficking in persons (FEB 2009) The following clauses under subparagraph (c) apply: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (June 2009) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (XIII) The following clauses and additional contract requirements or terms and conditions apply: None (XIV) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) do not apply. (XV) The Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price type order resulting from this solicitation. (XVI) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 12:00 p.m. MDT on March 26, 2010. All quotes must be emailed to the attention of Contract Specialist Mark E. Caban. The email address is mark.caban@noaa.gov. (XVII) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Contracting Officer. They must be received no later than three calendar days (March 22, 2010, 10:00 a.m.) after the date of this solicitation. All responses to the questions will be at the discretion of the Government and may be in writing and/or included in an amendment to the solicitation. Contracting Officer Mark E. Caban telephone number (303) 497-6875, email address mark.caban@noaa.gov.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/MASC/NRMJ3000-10-03927/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NOAA, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado, 80305, United States
- Zip Code: 80305
- Zip Code: 80305
- Record
- SN02095190-W 20100319/100317235211-0aa79f52489a12c66ed7fbe5b5e92202 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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