SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Cooperative Research in the United States Pacific Island Territories
- Notice Date
- 11/4/2022 1:34:04 PM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA KANSAS CITY MO 64106 USA
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- PIFSC230001
- Response Due
- 11/18/2022 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 11/19/2022
- Point of Contact
- Stephanie M Garnett, Phone: 8087255356
- E-Mail Address
-
stephanie.m.garnett@noaa.gov
(stephanie.m.garnett@noaa.gov)
- 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. I.� Background: The NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) has conducted an operational, multi-gear Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey in Hawaii (BFISH) since 2016. Annual species-specific, size-structured abundance estimates from the BFISH augment traditional fishery-dependent data sources, continually improving the data used within the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock Assessment. The need for a similar multi-gear, fishery-independent survey to provide population level size-structured abundance indices for bottomfish in the United States Pacific Territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has been re-emphasized at recent scientific workshops and reviews of the associated bottomfish stock assessments. Limited pilot surveys were conducted by PIFSC in 2012, 2014 and 2015 to understand the underlying variability of bottomfish species within their ecosystem, as well as the operational characteristics of candidate sampling gear(s). Such data were paramount for implementing a statistically sound experimental design and operational survey in the MHI, particularly when the resources to be sampled are heterogeneously distributed in both time and space. Among the candidate sampling gears, standardized hook-and-line and stereo-video camera gears were selected as suitable for the operational BFISH. PIFSC is seeking sources capable of providing cooperative research capacity within the United States Pacific Territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands via local fishing vessels and personnel able to conduct standardized hook-and-line fishing activities and drop-camera deployments as outlined below. All cooperative research personnel should have direct connection to and relationships with the local fishing community within the aforementioned geographic areas. Contracted vessels shall have, in proper working order, all required USCG approved safety, navigation and communication devices. Captains of contracted vessels must have sufficient experience within the aforementioned geographic areas. Scientific observers must be familiar with scientific field sampling and measurement methods for fish, associated field sampling and data recording equipment, and must be able to visually identify, to species, fishes commonly caught by bottomfish fishing gear, using proper linnaean scientific taxonomic nomenclature (i.e. genus, species). II. Scope: Task 1: Hook-and-Line Sampling Following established protocols, conduct hook-and-line research fishing activities at up to, and not to exceed, four-hundred-and-fifty (450) preselected 500 x 500 meter survey locations in coastal waters (approximately 75-400 meters water depth) around the islands of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and/or two-hundred-and-fifty (250) preselected 500 x 500 meter survey locations in coastal waters (approximately 75-400 meters water depth) around the islands of American Samoa. Historically, the established protocols have been as follows. Fishing vessels are to conduct research fishing activities within predetermined (by PIFSC) 500m x 500m primary sampling units (PSU or grids) within the bottomfish Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). Bottomfish EFH is defined as coastal waters between the depths of 75 and 400 meters (40 - 220 fathoms). Research fishing is defined as 30 minutes of active fishing effort within a grid by one vessel using two separate fishing lines (15 minutes per line) and two bait types. Line handling or haul-back time does not count towards the 30 minutes of active fishing. Similarly, should the vessel need to reposition to remain in the grid, repositioning time does not count toward the 30 minutes of active fishing. Two fishing lines are deployed to standard bottomfishing depths, up to 500 m. Each line contains four hooks of size 3/0. Half of the hooks are baited with squid while half are baited with anchovy or a similar fish (e.g. aku, kawakawa, opelu).� A small palu or chum bag� filled with ~1 lb of a 50/50 mixture of ground squid and the aforementioned fish bait is attached to each line above the top-most hook. Prior to commencement of fishing operations within each grid, vessels may use onboard acoustic fishfinders or other methods to search for aggregations within the grid. If fish aggregations are not found using the fishfinder, fishers are to look for favorable bottom topography before deploying gear. Specific tasks include: In consultation with PIFSC, identify and provide contracted fishing vessels (including Captain and Crew) to conduct sampling using the aforementioned standardized bottomfish fishing gear and methods within the aforementioned survey grids and time window. Grids will be proportionate to the bottomfish habitat across islands. Provide Scientific Observers (1-2 individuals per vessel) to record operational and catch data for each fishing vessel. Coordinate with and provide logistical support to Vessel Captains and Scientific Observers (with crew optional) to attend a PIFSC-led training session prior to and debriefing session after each survey to discuss program goals and objectives, scientific protocols, and responsibilities. Procure all necessary gear, equipment, and supplies for contracted vessels to carry out the requirements of this contract. Maintain communication with contracted vessels to provide support as needed throughout the project, and to provide status updates to PIFSC. Provide all necessary supplies and equipment required for data collection to Scientific Observers. PIFSC will provide initial training on the use of electronic tablet devices to observers on fishing vessels; however, the contractor shall assist with setting up the devices and provide assistance with troubleshooting questions and issues that may arise. Inspect collected data to ensure accurate completion and legibility during the survey and submit all data in the form it was collected to PIFSC for analysis within two weeks of survey completion, or end of performance period, whichever is sooner. As cellular/internet coverage allows, transmit data via the electronic application or images or scans of paper data sheets during the survey period to PIFSC to ensure data are being filled-in according to procedures. Transmissions should occur at a minimum each time a vessel returns to port, but can be done more frequently at the contractor�s discretion. Electronic data-entry tablets must be set to transmit automatically as cellular/internet coverage allows. Provide biosamples of fish caught during operations that meet PIFSC-specified criteria, retain, affix ID tag, store, and send whole fishes to PIFSC (or its designee), as logistics permit and according to storage and transport requirements. Provide any caught fish not needed by PIFSC to the local community as food grade and free of charge through properly credentialled not-for-profit entities and organizations. Meet quarterly (virtually or in-person) with PIFSC staff to discuss progress of work. Task 2: Drop-Camera Sampling Following established protocols, conduct drop-camera sampling activities via up to six (6) contractor-provided vessels to deploy and recover the PIFSC Modular Optical Underwater Survey System (MOUSS) in up to, and not to exceed, one-hundred-and-fifty (150) pre-selected grids within the operational area defined in Task 1. PIFSC will provide all MOUSS-related equipment, with the exception of any and all vessel-mounted equipment necessary for safe deployment and recovery of the MOUSS (e.g. davit arm, pot hauler, etc.) In addition to requirements outlined in Task 1, the following requirements will apply: Contractor-provided vessels for this Task must be capable of safely launching and recovering the MOUSS, which is launched and recovered in a manner similar to that used for a single lobster, crab, or fish trap, to depths of 75 to 400 meters (40 - 220 fathoms). The exterior dimensions of the MOUSS are 41 inches in length, 11 inches in height, 20 inches in width and weighs approximately 60 lbs. Additional MOUSS components include: a 75 lb. anchor, up to 1200 meters (~650 fathoms) of 3/8 inch line stored in two to five 55-gallon trash cans, two surface buoys and two subsurface floats (each approximately 1.5 ft. in diameter). The configuration of MOUSS from the surface to the seafloor is as follows: two surface buoys (Polyform LD #2 & #3), 4.5 meters (~3 fathoms) of 3/8 subsurface line, One in-line float (6 inches in diameter) Two subsurface floats (11 inches in diameter), Up to 1200 meters (~650 fathoms) of 3/8 subsurface line, MOUSS camera in protective frame (41 inches in length, 11 inches in height, 20 inches in width) 4.5 meters (~3 fathoms) of 3/8 inch anchor line, lead anchor (75 lb) The MOUSS also utilizes 1 lb of chum, which must be provided by the contractor, and is the same as that used in Task 1. The vessel is required to carry up to two MOUSS units. Transportation of the MOUSS system and supplies to vessels in the responsibility of the PIFSC. Sampling protocols for these grids include deployment of two replicate MOUSS units per grid with a minimum of 15 minutes on the seafloor per unit (with additional time as necessary to allow for deployment and recovery logistics as well as travel time from the surface to the seafloor and return). Grid depth shall be between 75 and 400 meters. The time window under this Task will generally overlap with Task 1, but is flexible and may be moved provided mutual agreement between PIFSC and the Contractor The same vessel used for research fishing may also be used for the MOUSS sampling. In instances where fishing and MOUSS operations are to be conducted within the same grid cell, the desire is for MOUSS to be deployed first with fishing operations immediately following MOUSS recovery. In such cases, the vessel must be able to accommodate Captain and Crew, Scientific Observers and/or MOUSS camera technician, and all gear required for research fishing and for MOUSS operations. In addition to existing vessel requirements, contractor-provided vessels for this Task must have: A hydraulic or electric pinch puller or similar capable of lifting 500 lbs. (safe working load) at least 4 ft. above the water and on to the vessel deck; 40 square feet of flat, level, working deck space adequate for storing and working with MOUSS and its associated components (line buckets, anchor, surface and subsurface floats, etc.). This working deck area should not regularly be awash; A dry location suitable for working with a laptop computer to interface with the MOUSS and for download of video data and field disassembly and reassembly of computer electronics and pressure housings; Power outlet capable of supplying 120v/3A AC current for charging laptop computer and MOUSS battery; The ability to accommodate an optional, PIFSC-provided male or female MOUSS camera technician, subject to PIFSC or Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) regulations, to be present for MOUSS operation. PIFSC will be responsible for any and all travel costs associated with PIFSC or JIMAR staff. To allow boarding of PIFSC staff: the vessel shall have valid Coast Guard certification; the contractor shall arrange to have a NOAA or NOAA-designated vessel operations coordinator (VOC) perform an in-person safety inspection (with travel costs provided by the PIFSC) if one has not already been done. To allow boarding of JIMAR staff, in addition to the requirements for PIFSC staff: the contractor must contact the Marine Superintendent at the University of Hawaii Marine Center (UHMC) for vessel approval, by providing information about the vessel including: Name, Length, Value type of charter, dates of charter, travel destinations during charter, number of JIMAR employees, business purpose of charter; proof (a certificate of insurance) of insurance(s) with vessel liability coverage totaling $5 million per occurrence during the time period of operation and which has the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) and the University of Hawaii (UH) named as additional insured. PIFSC assumes liability for loss of or damage to the MOUSS for this Task, but contracted personnel are to take every precaution possible to minimize chances of damage or loss, and shall follow directions provided by the MOUSS technician for safety and equipment maintenance purposes. Task 3: Constituent Meetings Provide logistical support (see below tasks) to convene up to, and not to exceed, two (2) constituent meetings (including fishers and scientists) within each of the aforementioned geographic areas to discuss progress of activities as well as pertinent research on bottomfish in the Pacific Islands Region. Meetings may be in-person or virtual, as determined by PIFSC. Specific tasks include: Provide logistical support and convene meetings with PIFSC stakeholders. Work with PIFSC staff to inform stakeholders, such as fishers, fishing clubs, and fishing organizations to inform their members, and other industry participants about ongoing bottomfish related PIFSC projects that benefit from fisher engagement such as data workshops, listening sessions, the fisheries independent survey effort, and other outreach efforts that support PIFSC goals relative to cooperative research activities. Provide all materials (e.g., brochures, PDFs), equipment (e.g., PA system, facility rental costs, virtual meeting hosting service) to conduct in-person or virtual meetings. Provide meeting minutes and recording to PIFSC to meet future education and outreach needs. III. Special Requirements: All cooperative research personnel should have direct connection to the local fishing community within the aforementioned geographic areas. North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS):� 541990 with a size standard of $17 million. Interested vendors 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 above stated requirements. 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, etc.� If your firm is not small, please state that it is a large business. � 4). A brief description of your firm's 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 Contracting Officer, Stephanie Garnett via email at Stephanie.M.Garnett@noaa.gov no later than 10:00 AM (Hawaii Time) on November 18, 2022.
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- Record
- SN06510670-F 20221106/221104230059 (samdaily.us)
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