SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Advancing Bottomfish Assessments in the Pacific Islands Region
- Notice Date
- 7/9/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- 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
- RFI_03466
- Archive Date
- 8/15/2012
- Point of Contact
- Susan L Labovitz, Phone: (303) 497-7943
- E-Mail Address
-
susan.labovitz@noaa.gov
(susan.labovitz@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- OBJECTIVE: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS FOR WRITTEN INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITAION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR QUOTES AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. In preparation for a future procurement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is performing market research to determine potential sources. Based on market research results, NOAA reserves the right to set this action aside for small businesses or award as a sole source procurement. This announcement is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or award a contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow up information requests. The proposed project will eventually result in a firm-fixed-price contract. TITLE: Advancing Bottomfish Assessment in the Pacific Islands Regions BACKGROUND: Since 2009/2010 the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group (PIFG) has been conducting research for the NMFS. They have conducted a fishery independent pilot survey, tag-recapture studies, fishery-dependent sampling, and constituent outreach. Data from the survey is used to determine optimal gear(s), sample sizes, and number of vessels needed to implement fishery independent surveys in the Hawaiian Archipelago, Guam, CNMI and American Samoa. Data from the tagging study provides growth and movement data to advance the development of species specific stock assessment models, as well as NMFS's understanding of connectivity. Expanding fishery dependent sampling throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) allows for the development of spatially explicit stock assessment models and biological reference points. Constituent meetings are an effective way of communicating progress, while at the same time promoting open communication and trust with local fisherman and scientists. This research is part of a larger initiative to advance bottomfish stock assessments in the Pacific Islands Region, PURPOSE: The Government is trying to determine whether there are other sources for this survey support. Additional data are currently needed before transiting from a pilot survey to a full survey and for advancing current stock assessment methodologies. This market research allows NMFS to assess the adequacy of other sources to successfully conduct the required research. The Government is looking for a vendor that can perform all of the functions described in this announcement. The vendor shall be able to : (1) provide 3 fisherman for up to 45 days to conduct a pilot fishery independent survey for bottomfish in waters around Oahu and Maui using local fishing vessel; (2) expand the state of Hawaii's bottomfish tagging program to include other areas and species; (3) network with local fisherman and industry to expand fishery dependent sampling of bottomfish at major landing ports and/or auctions throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI); and (4) assist with logistics to discuss progress of the projects with local constituents, including the fishing and scientific communities. The Contractor shall furnish the necessary vessels, personnel, equipment, and services (including all bottomfish fishing gear, bait and insurance for the vessel and the ship's personnel) to perform the research activities listed below. Activity 1: Following established protocols provided by NMFS staff (survey design and data collection), conduct the pilot fishery independent survey for bottomfish in waters around Oahu and Maui. Specific tasks include: • With assistance from NMFS, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) staff, identify and contract three (3) fishing vessels (including crew) to conduct sampling operations for 45 days each quarter at selected sites using standardized bottomfish fishing gear. Vessels shall accommodate at-sea technicians comprised of 1-2 individuals. • Coordinate workshops with contracted vessels and at-sea technicians to discuss program goals and objectives, scientific protocols, and responsibilities. Procure necessary gear, equipment, and supplies for contracted vessel. • Maintain communication with contracted vessels to provide support as needed throughout the project. • Contract at-sea technicians to conduct sampling on each fishing vessel. • Provide necessary data forms and equipment to at-sea technicians as required. • Conduct QA/QC procedures on collected data and submit all data to PIFSC for analysis. • Meet quarterly with PIFSC staff to discuss progress of work. Activity 2: Expand State of Hawaii bottomfish tagging program. Specific tasks include: • Procure 2000 tags and associated materials. • Identify and contract bottomfishing vessels (with crew) to conduct tag and release operations. • Conduct training workshops with contracted fisherman on proper tagging techniques. Identify key-species for tagging and distribute tags. • Retrieve tagging data from fisherman after each trip and conduct QA/QC measures. • Inform fisherman as to the importance of returning captured tagged fish. • Develop an incentive program so fisherman shall provide tag recapture information. • With guidance from PIFSC staff, develop and maintain a tagging database. • Transfer tagging database to PIFSC for analysis. • Meet quarterly with PIFSC staff to discuss progress of the tagging program. Activity 3: Expand fishery dependent sampling of bottomfish at major landing ports and/or auctions throughout the MHI. Specific tasks include: • Identify landing ports and auctions throughout the MHI. • Develop and implement sampling protocols to collect requisite data. • Facilitate retrieval of data/samples from fishing ports or auctions. • Submit data to PIFSC for analysis and meet quarterly with PIFSC staff to discuss progress. Activity 4: Assist with logistics to convene constituent meetings (including fisherman and scientists) to discuss progress of the projects. Specific tasks include: • Convene meetings with fishing clubs and fishing organizations to inform members and participants about the projects. Provide all meeting materials (e.g., brochures) and equipment (e.g., PA system) to conduct the meeting. Provide quarterly progress reports to PIFSC. • Meet with fishing tackle manufacturers, retail outlets, local and federal agencies to garner program support. • Periodic placement of articles about the project and its results in agency newsletters, newspapers, trade magazines and other periodicals as appropriate. KEY PERSONNEL: The contractor shall be responsible for providing key personnel with the following qualifications: 1. Program Manager shall have at least three years experience with insular biological collection programs, with: • A proven track record for developing, implementing, and managing insular survey, tagging, and biological collection programs • Effective written and oral communication skills • Working knowledge of Hawaii bottomfish fisheries and participants (fisherman) • Experience developing and conducting meeting activities 2. At-sea Technicians shall have at least two years experience with: • At sea experience working aboard fishing vessels • Minimum educational requirement is high school graduate • Demonstrated experience collecting of biological data • Able to lift 30 lbs. 3. Fisherman (Captain) shall have at least 5 years of experience operating fishing vessels in Hawaiian waters with: • Five years experience fishing for bottomfish in Hawaii • Minimum educational requirement is high school education • Experience collecting biological data according to scientific protocols PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: A 1-year contract is being considered. The contract is expected to be placed in September 2012. QUALIFICATION STATEMENT RESPONSE: The vendor's response to this Synopsis shall include the following information: 1. Vendor's name, address, point of contact, phone number and email address. 2. Vendor's interest in quoting on the solicitation when it is issued. 3. Vendor's qualifications and capability to meet all of the listed requirements. 4. Evidence of vendor's capability to execute and successfully perform comparable work in the past (list of customers). 5. Vendor's small business category and business size. The applicable NAICS code is 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)) with a size standard of 500 employees. You must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be eligible to receive an award from any future Government solicitation. For additional information, please visit the CCR website at htts://www.bpn.gov/ccr/. You must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) to be eligible to receive a future award from any Government solicitation. For additional information, please visit the ORCA website at https//orca.bpn.gov. Any interested vendors should submit capability statement with information that clearly demonstrates their capabilities to provide the services described above in reference to RFI_03466. The vendor's capability statement is merely an aid to NOAA's market research efforts. NOAA will consider all comments, supportive or critical, but may or may not use these individual comments. Standard vendor brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to the Sources Sought Synopsis. Qualification Statements will be treated separately from, and will have no bearing on, any subsequent evaluation of proposals submitted in response to any resulting future formal Request for Quotes. NOAA will not pay for information or comments provided and will not recognize any costs associated with submission of comments. Respondents are advised that NOAA is under no obligation to provide respondents with any feedback on the information received. Responses to the above should be submitted to Susan Labovitz at 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3328 or to susan.labovitz@noaa.gov no later than 3:00 PM MDT, Thursday, July 19, 2012. EMAIL IS THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR RECEIVING RESPONSES TO THIS SYNOPSIS. Point of Contact: Susan Labovitz, 303-497-7943
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