Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2510, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817

B -- LONG-TERM MONITORING AT THE EAST AND WEST FLOWER GARDEN BANKS SOL 3822 DUE 062796. Contact Point, Jenny Taylor, Procurement Assistant, 703/787-1355, or Sandra McLaughlin, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1361. The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, with support from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, intends to competitively award a contract for continuation of long-term monitoring of the environmental conditions of the coral reef zone of the East and West Flower Garden Banks and related submarine banks. The proposed study is designed to monitor the biological health of the reef crest and especially the coral reef community over a period of approximately two years, to detect any significant effects from natural and man-induced activities that could endanger the integrity of this National Marine Sanctuary. Previously sponsored studies have concentrated on the geologic features, water circulation, and biologic communities of about three dozen submarine banks along the shelf edge of Texas and Louisiana. The studies included precision bathymetric mapping of topographic relief, sea floor and shallow subsurface geology, delineation and characterization of biologic communities, trace metal and hydrocarbon analyses, and elucidation of water circulation. The continued monitoring will include survey cruises, photographic documentation, analysis, data interpretation and synthesis, and literature review. Requests for this solicitation may be mailed to the above address or requested by facsimile at (703) 787-1009. (Facsimile requests are preferred.) Please include in your request the RFP number & title, your organization, point of contact, complete address, and phone and fax numbers. Telephonic requests are strongly discouraged. (108)

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