MODIFICATION
B -- Marine Mammal Observers for Marianas Survey
- Notice Date
- 4/9/2014
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), PIFSC, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96818, United States
- ZIP Code
- 96818
- Solicitation Number
- WE-133F-14-RQ-0349
- Archive Date
- 5/1/2014
- Point of Contact
- STEPHANIE M. GARNETT, Phone: (808) 725-5356
- E-Mail Address
-
STEPHANIE.M.GARNETT@NOAA.GOV
(STEPHANIE.M.GARNETT@NOAA.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, 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) The solicitation number for this procurement is WE-133F-14-RQ-0349 and is hereby issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-72 dated January 30, 2014. (iv) This procurement is 100% set-aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 541990 with a corresponding small business size standard of $14.0 million. (v) Contract Line Item Numbers QTY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT 0001 - One observer for large scale ship survey of the 1 JB _________ _________ Marianas per the included requirements. Quote shall include all labor and travel expenses. (v) Description of Requirements I. BACKGROUND The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requires assistance in the collection of occurrence, group size, tissue sampling, and satellite tagging of cetaceans for assessment of abundance and population structure in the western Pacific. In May-June of 2014, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center will undertake a large-scale survey within the Northern Islands of the Marianas Archipelago to collect the data needed to assess population structure and connectivity of cetaceans in this region to those in the southern islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan and Tinian. Cruise dates: May 15 to June 3, 2014. II. PURPOSE The immediate objectives are the following: Collect location data, group size estimates, and behavioral observations of all cetacean groups encountered. Deploy satellite tags on cetaceans for assessment of population movements. Collect biopsy samples from cetaceans for genetic studies of population structure. Collect identification photographs of cetaceans for population structure and abundance.  Must be familiar with PIFSC cetacean survey methods. III. TASKS A. The Contractor will provide one marine mammal observer to collect distribution and abundance data on all cetacean species encountered, fulfilling the following requirements:  Must be medically cleared to sail aboard NOAA vessels per NMAO requirements.  Must be in Guam on May 14, 2014 to meet and board NOAA R/V Oscar Elton Sette.  Observer will be deployed on a small boat from the ship each day to conduct near island surveys for cetaceans. Observers must be comfortable and capable of spending a full 8-hr day in a small boat.  When weather is not suitable for launching small boats, each observer must stand watch on the flying bridge with one other observer for 2 hour shifts, rotating with another team of two observers.  Ship-based observations will use 25x150 big eye binoculars to scan for marine mammals.  Communicate with the Chief Scientist about sightings of cetacean groups of interest.  On-site cetacean species identity verification.  Deploy satellite tags on cetaceans from small boat.  Collect biopsy samples using a crossbow from the bow of the ship or small boat.  Collect photo-identification data for species confirmation. B. Deliverables Contribute to photo dataset, including proper file naming scheme, addition of IPTC fields and geospatial data per PIFSC protocol. Completed and verified sighting data sheets. Biopsy samples processed and stored in the provided dewar (of liquid nitrogen) aboard the ship. Deployment information for satellite tags, including PTT IDs, species, tag deployment location, position of tag on animal, attachment time, and other metadata associated with each tag attachment. IV. GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED AND CONTRACTOR-PROVIDED PROPERTY The Government will provide the observation equipment, computer systems and all other equipment and supplies required for the contracted tasks above. The Government will provide the Contractor lodging aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette beginning May 14, 2014 (or one day prior to the ship's departure from Guam) until the ship arrives in Saipan on June 3. Meals may not be provided on the ship during inports. The Contractor will provide personal clothes, such as pants, shirts, undergarments, socks, etc. The Contractor will also provide personal effects that might be desired while aboard the ship while inport. The Contractor will obtain air travel into Guam and out of Saipan to take part in the survey. V. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES: The Contractor shall be required to complete and submit all data and samples collected, including a dataset log from the marine mammal surveys throughout operations of the field season. The Contractor will be instructed by the PIFSC on the sampling protocol, on the format of the dataset logs, and also on the schedule for delivering the data and samples. VI. MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF VESSEL Mechanical breakdown periods in excess of three (3) consecutive days or nine (9) accumulative days may be grounds for termination of this contract by the Government. Reasonable demobilization and travel costs incurrent by the contractor due to mechanical breakdown, not to exceed the cost of the total contract award, will be reimbursed. (vi) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance/FOB Point. The purchase order shall begin on or before April 21, 2014 and end on December 31, 2014. Place of Delivery: NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176 Honolulu, HI 96818 All deliveries shall be FOB Destination. All Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses listed below are available for download at https://acquisition.gov/far/ (vii) A statement that the provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition and a statement regarding any addenda to the provision. (viii) 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following evaluation factors apply: The Government will issue an order resulting from this RFQ to the responsible offeror whose quotation results in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations:] Factor A -- APPROACH AND CAPABILITIES - Offerors will be evaluated based on their corporate and individual qualifications to perform the work; adequacy of equipment, materials and facilities proposed; and experience with the types of operations identified in the solicitation. Factor B -- PAST PERFORMANCE -- Performance by the offeror and its subcontractor(s) as it relates to all solicitation requirements will be evaluated. The evaluation will include the quality of services previously performed, timeliness of performance, 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 proposal and information provided by references. The government may evaluate past performance by contacting references and/or other sources and may also consider other information available. Factor C -- PRICE Although price is the least 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. The government reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest priced offer or if the contracting officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the government. Note that any and all costs associated with proposal preparation, are the responsibility of the contractor. (ix) The quoter must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (NOV 2013), with its quote. (x) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (SEPT 2013), applies to this acquisition. (xi) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (JAN 2015) applies to this acquisition. The following clauses under subparagraph (b) apply: (10), (14), (25), (28), (30), (31), (33), and (44) (50). The following clauses under subparagraph (c) apply: none. (xii) The following additional clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: Department of Commerce Clauses: 1352.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract, and, notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price. 1352.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract, and, notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price. 1352.209-74 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (APR 2010) (a) Purpose. The purpose of this clause is to ensure that the contractor and its subcontractors: (1) Are not biased because of their financial, contractual, organizational, or other interests which relate to the work under this contract, and (2) Do not obtain any unfair competitive advantage over other parties by virtue of their performance of this contract. (b) Scope. The restrictions described herein shall apply to performance or participation by the contractor, its parents, affiliates, divisions and subsidiaries, and successors in interest (hereinafter collectively referred to as "contractor") in the activities covered by this clause as a prime contractor, subcontractor, co-sponsor, joint venturer, consultant, or in any similar capacity. For the purpose of this clause, affiliation occurs when a business concern is controlled by or has the power to control another or when a third party has the power to control both. (c) Warrant and Disclosure. The warrant and disclosure requirements of this paragraph apply with full force to both the contractor and all subcontractors. The contractor warrants that, to the best of the contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which would give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, and that the contractor has disclosed all relevant information regarding any actual or potential conflict. The contractor agrees it shall make an immediate and full disclosure, in writing, to the Contracting Officer of any potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or the existence of any facts that may cause a reasonably prudent person to question the contractor's impartiality because of the appearance or existence of bias or an unfair competitive advantage. Such disclosure shall include a description of the actions the contractor has taken or proposes to take in order to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any resulting conflict of interest. (d) Remedies. The Contracting Officer may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if the Contracting Officer deems such termination necessary to avoid, neutralize or mitigate an actual or apparent organizational conflict of interest. If the contractor fails to disclose facts pertaining to the existence of a potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or misrepresents relevant information to the Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contract for default, suspend or debar the contractor from Government contracting, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract. (e) Subcontracts. The contractor shall include a clause substantially similar to this clause, including paragraphs (f) and (g), in any subcontract or consultant agreement at any tier expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The terms "contract," "contractor," and "Contracting Officer" shall be appropriately modified to preserve the Government's rights. (f) Prime Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall obtain from its subcontractors or consultants the disclosure required in FAR Part 9.507-1, and shall determine in writing whether the interests disclosed present an actual, or significant potential for, an organizational conflict of interest. The contractor shall identify and avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any subcontractor organizational conflict prior to award of the contract to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer. If the subcontractor's organizational conflict cannot be avoided, neutralized, or mitigated, the contractor must obtain the written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into the subcontract. If the contractor becomes aware of a subcontractor's potential or actual organizational conflict of interest after contract award, the contractor agrees that the Contractor may be required to eliminate the subcontractor from its team, at the contractor's own risk. (g) Waiver. The parties recognize that this clause has potential effects which will survive the performance of this contract and that it is impossible to foresee each circumstance to which it might be applied in the future. Accordingly, the contractor may at any time seek a waiver from the Head of the Contracting Activity by submitting such waiver The following additional terms and conditions apply: 52.232-39 UNENFORCEABILITY OF UNAUTHORIZED OBLIGATIONS (JUN 2013) (a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to any End User License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern: (1) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government. (2) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an "I agree" click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., "click-wrap" or "browse-wrap" agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause. (3) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. (b) Paragraph (a) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures. The following provision apply: 1352.232-70 AGENCY PROTESTS (a) An agency protest may be filed with either: (1) The contracting officer, or (2) at a level above the contracting officer, with the appropriate agency Protest Decision Authority. See 64 FR 16,651 (April 6, 1999). (b) Agency protests filed with the Contracting Officer shall be sent to the following address: National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176 Honolulu, HI 96818. (c) Agency protests filed with the agency Protest Decision Authority shall be sent to the following address: U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Assistant General Counsel for Finance and Litigation Contract Law Division Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Room H5882 Washington DC 20230 FAX: (202) 482-5858 (d) A complete copy of all agency protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel within one day of filing a protest with either the Contracting Officer or the Protest Decision Authority. (e) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division, Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230. FAX: (202) 482-5858 1352.233-71 GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests (APR 2010) (a) A protest may be filed with either the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of Federal Claims unless an agency protest has been filed. (b) A complete copy of all GAO or Court of Federal Claims protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon (i) the Contracting Officer, and (ii) the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel, within one day of filing a protest with either GAO or the Court of Federal Claims. (c) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows: U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20230 FAX: (202) 482-5858 (xiii) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating does not apply. (xiv) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 10:00 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST) on April 16, 2014. All quotes must be emailed to the attention of Stephanie.M.Garnett, Contracting Officer at: stephanie.m.garnett@noaa.gov. To be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide the required services. Such information shall include (at a minimum): company name, telephone number, address, DUNS number, email address, Standard Form 18, a price proposal and a technical proposal demonstrating the firm's capability to meet the specified requirements. All vendors doing business with the Government are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award of a purchase order. Vendors may register with SAM by calling 1 (866) 606-8220. In order to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, 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://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/companylookup.htm. (xv) All questions pertaining to this requirement shall be submitted in writing to the attention of Contract Specialist listed above.
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