SOURCES SOUGHT
F -- Advancing Bottomfish Assessments in the Pacific Islands Region
- Notice Date
- 5/7/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98115-6349
- ZIP Code
- 98115-6349
- Solicitation Number
- NFFR7400-13-02014
- Archive Date
- 9/30/2013
- Point of Contact
- STEPHANIE M. GARNETT, Phone: (808)983-5704
- E-Mail Address
-
STEPHANIE.M.GARNETT@NOAA.GOV
(STEPHANIE.M.GARNETT@NOAA.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT. IT IS NOT A SOLICITATION, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE A SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. Any information submitted in response to this Sources Sought Announcement is strictly voluntary. The Government will neither award a contract solely based on this notice, nor pay for any information submitted by respondents. This notice is a request by the Government to collect information from interested vendors for the purpose of market research. Failing to provide a response to this announcement will not prohibit/exclude an interested vendor from participating in a future solicitation. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) seeks a contractor to (1) contract 3 fishermen for up to 10 days each to conduct a pilot fishery independent survey for bottomfish in waters around Oahu and Maui using local fishing vessel, (2) expand both the State of Hawaii and Guam bottomfish tagging programs and (3) assist with logistics to discuss progress of the projects with local constituents, including the fishing and scientific communities. Research in these three areas was initiated in 2009/2010 and additional data is needed before transiting from a pilot survey to a full survey. Additional distributional data and life history information (tagging) are also required to advance bottomfish stock assessments. The fishery independent pilot survey constitutes a feasibility study; data from the survey will be used to determine optimal gear, sample sizes, and number of vessels needed to implement fishery independent surveys in the Hawaiian Archipelago, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. The vessels shall have, in proper working order, all required USCG approved safety, navigation and communication devices. Captains of contracted vessels must have sufficient experience with bottomfish fishing in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Data from the tagging study will provide growth and movement data to advance the development of species-specific models, as well as our understanding of connectivity. The meetings are an effective way of communicating progress, while at the same time promoting open communication and trust with local fisherman and scientists. 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 specifications shown below. • Provide three fishing vessels (including crew) to conduct fishing operations for 10 days each at selected sites in waters around Oahu and Maui as part of the PIFSC gear calibration study. In addition, contract at-sea technicians (scientific personnel) to collect scientific data while at sea. The captains of contracted vessels must have sufficient experience with bottomfish fishing in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Vessels must be capable of housing 1-2 scientific personnel and crew for the duration of the fishing trip. • Provide one fishing vessel in Hawaii and one in Guam (including crews) for 5 days each to tag and release bottomfish following standardized protocols. A key-species list will be provided to each contracted vessel along with tags. While conducting tagging operations throughout the contract period, fish will be tagged and released by the crew and requisite information recorded (e.g., tag number). • Periodically conduct constituent meetings to discuss progress of the projects. OPERATIONAL PLAN OBJECTIVES 1. To ensure that all the program participants - contractor, vessel owners, captains, scientific personnel, and resource managers - fully understand the operational plan of the pilot fishery independent survey and tagging programs and are in agreement with the respective roles of all program participants; 2. To ensure all participants adhere to requirements contained in the operational plan; and, 3. To ensure effective communication, cooperation, and close working relationship between all program participants. To meet the objectives the contractor shall coordinate closely with staff at the PIFSC and Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR). The contractor shall be responsible for the following activity related tasks. Activity 1: Following established protocols (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 PIFSC, identify and contract three (3) fishing vessels (including crew) to conduct sampling 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 and Guam bottomfish tagging programs. Specific tasks include: • Procure 5,000 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 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 and data sheets to PIFSC for analysis. Activity 3: 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 news letters, newspapers, trade magazines and other periodicals as appropriate. 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 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. A. VESSEL REQUIREMENTS Pilot Fishery Independent Survey 1. Minimum length: 25 Feet 2. Vessel must be completely rigged for bottomfishing. a. All the associated gear necessary to carry out bottomfish fishing operations. b. Operational winches, blocks etc., necessary for the bottomfish fishing. 3. Vessel must have sufficient deck space available for biological tagging operations, bottomfish dissection and scientific data collection. 4. Vessel must have a minimum of 9 cu. ft. of cold storage space and 9 cu. ft. of dry storage space for stowing scientific samples and supplies. 5. Clean and sanitary accommodations for crew and scientific party (maximum of 2 scientists) which may include female scientist(s). Bottomfish Tagging Program Survey 1. Minimum length: 20 feet 2. Vessel must be completely rigged for bottomfishing a. All the associated gear necessary to carry out bottomfish fishing operations. b. Operational winches, blocks and gurneys etc., necessary for the bottomfish fishing. 3. Vessel must have sufficient deck space available for biological tagging operations, bottomfish dissection and scientific data collection. The Government anticipates a one-year period of performance, which is expected to commence on or about September 15, 2013. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541690 with a size standard of 500 employees. Interested Contractors are requested to provide the following information in response to this Sources Sought Announcement: 1) A statement that you believe your firm has the capability to meet all these requirements and perform these services. 2) Your firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; 3) Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or in the SBA's 8(a) program. If your firm is not small, please state that it is a large business. 4) A brief description of your firm's recent past experience (within past 3 years) performing similar services. The information provided in response to this announcement is limited to five pages or less. All information shall be provided free of charge to the Government. The Government will not return any data provided in response to this announcement. This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses shall be provided to Contract Specialist, Stephanie Garnett via email at Stephanie.M.Garnett@noaa.gov no later than 2:00 PM (Hawaii Time) on Friday, May 21, 2013.
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