SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Tests Aimed to Reduce Fisheries Bycatch in Small-Scale Gillnet Fisheries in Baja California, Mexico
- Notice Date
- 7/23/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- 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
- PIFSC_10
- Archive Date
- 8/30/2014
- 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
- 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 Government is looking for vendors who can perform the following requirements: Project Background: Incidental capture of sea turtles by pelagic longlines and gillnets through both hooking and entanglement is a threat to the survival of sea turtle populations throughout the world. To assist the recovery of sea turtle populations, it is NOAA's goal to identify and promote use of alternative fishing methods that minimizes threats to sea turtles. Ultimately, such methods may be promoted in commercial fisheries around the world. NOAA seeks a contractor to coordinate and conduct fishing field trials with gillnets to test modified fishing gear to determine the efficacy of such gear on capture rate of target and non-target, or bycatch, species. Specifically, we seek a contractor to conduct experiments to compare capture rates of all species on nets modified with a potential deterrent (eg lights) vs. traditional or control nets in a gillnet fishery off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Findings generated from this work should be transferable to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in coastal gillnet fisheries worldwide. NOAA seeks a contractor to carry out three specific goals: 1) conduct scientifically robust field trials to test the catch composition of traditional and experimental gillnets to determine the potential utility of a modification to reduce incidental capture of sea turtles; 2) provide a written report of the results that form the basis for submission to peer review scientific journal; 3) Present data at international scientific meeting or participate in a relevant training opportunity. Description of Work and Specific tasks: The NOAA -Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) seeks to determine the efficacy of using a sensory cue placed on artisanal gillnets as a deterrent to the entanglement of sea turtles and other endangered, threatened species. The methodology employed should replicate previous efforts undertaken by NOAA and must be approved by NOAA advisors. The contractor will conduct field trials in a gillnet fishery located in Baja California, Mexico in locations with known abundance of sea turtles and fish species. Comparisons between traditional and experimental nets will be conducted using a paired testing methodology. The contractor will provide all logistics to enable fishing activity and acquisition of data. Sample sizes will be sufficient in order to obtain statistically robust results. Experimental protocols must be approved by NOAA. Specific Tasks: 1) Provide all personnel and logistics to support experiments in Bahia de Los Angeles and Punta Abreojoo, Baja California, Mexico. This includes preparation for field season while based in San Diego, California. 2) Collect and analyze all data, including graphs and data summaries of catch composition by net type. 3) Submit a final report that will serve as a draft for a scientific publication manuscript. 4) Present results at a scientific meeting. Specific deliverables: 1) Field trial data in Excel format. Data should include all collected data plus summarized data with graphs. This will include catch rate data of all species captured during field trials, and will include information on fishing methodology. Additionally, information will also be obtained on target species market values for each net set. 2) Preliminary Report. This will include all obtained data that has been analyzed preliminarily. 3) Final Report. Results of comparisons of sea turtle capture rates, target capture rates, bycatch of other species capture rates, and catch values of experimental nets (illuminated nets) and control nets. 4) Presentation of findings or trainings relevant to research. Requirements: Successful contractors must have following: 1) CONANP permits to conduct research in Mexico. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541990 with a size standard of $14.0 million. 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 10:00 AM (Hawaii Time) on Tuesday, July 30, 2014.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/WRAD/PIFSC_10/listing.html)
- Record
- SN03434302-W 20140725/140723234722-fe8aa965412867687ff2c167d9795180 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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