MODIFICATION
B -- Independent Scientific, Technical, and Policy Guidance Services from Scientists and Others in a Variety of Environmental and Public Policy Issues
- Notice Date
- 2/10/2011
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division-KC, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106, United States
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- WC133R-11-RP-0012
- Archive Date
- 2/25/2011
- Point of Contact
- Joan Clarkston, Phone: 816-426-7469
- E-Mail Address
-
joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov
(joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency within the Department of Commerce (DOC) that is focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere. The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation's economic, social and environmental needs. As a supplier of environmental information products, NOAA provides the nation with information that pertains to the state of the oceans and the atmosphere. This is clearly manifest in the production of weather warnings and forecasts through the National Weather Service, but NOAA's information products extend to climate, ecosystems and commerce as well. NOAA serves as the steward of national coastal and marine environments. In coordination with federal, state, local, tribal and international authorities, NOAA manages the use of these environments, regulating fisheries and marine sanctuaries as well as protecting threatened and endangered marine species. NOAA is a trusted source of accurate and objective scientific information in four particular areas of national and global importance which constitute its long-term mission critical and strategic goals: • Ecosystems: Ensure the sustainable use of resources and balance competing uses of coastal and marine ecosystems, recognizing both their human and natural components. • Climate: Understand changes in climate, including the El Niño phenomenon, to ensure that we can plan and respond properly. • Weather & Water: Provide data and forecasts for weather and water cycle events, including storms, droughts and floods. • Commerce & Transportation: Provide weather, climate, and ecosystem information to make sure individual and commercial transportation is safe, efficient and environmentally sound. To assist it in framing its long-term strategic course in many complex and interrelated scientific and technical topics, NOAA requires studies to be done with a high level of credibility, impartiality, and objectivity. This requires an understanding of the current state of science as well as an intimate knowledge of newly emerging scientific and technical methodologies to support recommendations for future directions NOAA should take into consideration while laying out its strategic plan to meet its mission goals. Possible areas to be investigated through studies, but are not limited to, the following areas of interest: • Integrated Observing and Data Management System • Assessments and Forecasts of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems • Scenario Development to Support Specific Management Actions and Decisions • Exploring Unknown and Little Known Areas of Earth's Oceans • Capacity Building and Effective Knowledge Transfer • Integrated Global Observation and Data System • Documenting and Understanding Changes in Climate Forcings and Feedbacks • Improving Climate Predictions and Projections • Understanding Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Marine Ecosystems • Enhancing NOAA's Operational Decision Support Tools • Improving Weather Forecasts and Warnings • Water Resources Forecasting • Providing Information to Air Quality Decision Makers and Establishing and Improving a National Air Quality Forecast Capability • Improving Understanding and Forecast Capability in Coasts, Estuaries, and Oceans • Reduced Risks to Life, Health, and Property • Issues that Slow or Stop Movement of Goods • Reduced Risks and Adverse Environmental Impacts • Security Based upon a thorough review of both the government's requirements and market research conducted under the Sources Sought Notice for this solicitation, NOAA intends on soliciting and negotiating a sole source indefinite delivery indefinite quantity type contract with the National Academy of Sciences (Academy) for independent scientific, technical, and policy guidance services from scientists and others in a variety of environmental and public policy issues to provide independent scientific advice which shall result in compilation of written reports. The proposed period of performance is for a period of five (5) years [CORRECTION OF NUMBER OF YEARS DUE TO A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR] tentatively starting March 30, 2011. The total value of this effort is estimated to be no more than $9.9 Million. The Academy performs a unique public service. It brings together leaders from academia, industry, government, and other sectors to address critical national issues and provide cogent, unbiased, and scientifically informed advice to the U.S. Government and its citizens. To a degree unmatched elsewhere, these institutions elicit the participation of virtually any scientist whom it invites to serve. The credibility of the resulting reports is maximized by the recognized impartiality of the institutions which manufacture no product, possess no funds to disburse, have no power of decision over the scientific establishment and have no executive or regulatory authority. Thus, neither it nor its transient working committees which may be given immediate responsibility for a particular study or inquiry can be fairly accused of a vested interest in the outcome of deliberations. Moreover, because of the type of studies to be completed and their overall significance on public policy, NOAA has determined after reviewing all market research capability statements submitted in response to the Sources Sought Notice that the Academy is the only source that can provide this degree of independent advice of unparalleled objectivity of the highest quality that provides an inherent degree of acceptability. The statutory authority for permitting other than full and open competition for this procurement is Section 303(c)(1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended by the Competition in Contracting Act, 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), and is implemented by FAR 6.301-1, which authorizes other than full and open competition when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. All responsible sources that believe they have the necessary expertise and capacity to provide these studies may submit proposal or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency if received within fifteen (15) calendar days from the posting date. Responses may be forwarded electronically to Joan Clarkston at joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov or fax at (816)274-6966. The response shall be no more than twenty (20) single-sided pages in length and shall address the following topics: • Organization's Name, Address, Phone Number, Email, and Point of Contact Information • Brief summary describing your organization and purpose. If you are an educational institution, list any specific areas of study (e.g. - degree programs, emphasis programs). • Provide a list of experience and studies in topics that are similar to the above. Discuss how scientific experts and qualified scientists are selected to conduct these studies. Discuss how you would incorporate a wide range of views to give a spectrum of scientific thought in a subject area. If studies were conducted on behalf of the government, list department and agency along with a point of contact name, number, and email address. • List experience/education/certifications of any key personnel relevant to the studies above completed in the past five (5) years. Copies of resumes and a list of relevant papers published should be included. The list should provide at a minimum, the author, name of the study, publication, and date with a synopsis of the study. • Credibility, impartiality, and objectivity of the study by your institution. Since these reports impact environmental and agency policy, your organization should discuss how you will ensure credibility, impartiality, and objectivity in any studies that could be conducted by your organization. In order to maintain this credibility, impartiality, and objectivity, indicate any financial interests that might relate to the studies listed above and provide an explanation of how you would mitigate any potential risk associated with those financial interests. • Include your business size classification (e.g. large business, small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDB, SDVOSB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.)
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