Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 1,1999 PSA#2292

Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817

B -- A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AIRGUN ARRAY RAMP-UP IN REDUCING POTENTIAL NOISE-RELATED IMPACTS TO MARINE MAMMALS SOL 1435-01-99-RP-30990 DUE 033199 POC Betty Estey Contracting Officer, 703-787-1352 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's email address, Betty.Estey@mms.gov. The Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS), intends to competitively award a contract for a study titled "A Study of the Effectiveness of Airgun Array Ramp-up in Reducing Potential Noise-related Impacts to Marine Mammals." Given the current level of uncertainty and concern over the potential effects of low-frequency sound on marine mammals, the MMS Pacific Region wishes to obtain sufficient information to allay concerns or identify useful mitigation to be used during high-energy seismic surveys. Validation of ramp-up as mitigation could allay some concern over the potential impacts of seismic surveys on marine mammals. The goal of this study would be to observe and quantify the responses of marine mammals to the array ramp-up procedure, which is widely used during high-energy seismic survey operations. The study is intended to test the effectiveness of ramp-up in inducing marine mammals to vacate areas near an airgun array where they may be at risk of temporary or permanent hearing damage. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. The selected Contractor must furnish the necessary personnel, equipment, materials, facilities, and have the capabilities and qualifications required for the successful performance and completion of the work tasks. The possibility exists that some equipment may be available through a cooperative arrangement with the geophysical industry. The primary tasks of this project are to: (1) conduct appropriate field experiments to observe and record the behavior of selected marine mammals in response to gradual increases in intensity of low-frequency sound. The field experiments shall simulate realistic, high-energy acoustic survey sound generation and exposure to animals as closely as possible, employing an open-water set-up in a season and area with relatively high densities of marine mammals. Efforts will be made during the course of the trails to determine the optimum ramp-up procedure. Hydrophones shall be deployed to measure and record received sound levels and frequency spectrum variables at various distances from the source, in order to accurately estimate the levels received by the study animals. Signal source levels shall be calculated as closely as possible. The Contractor shall also consider the possibility of using passive acoustic techniques to monitor and record marine mammal vocalizations in the vicinity of the test array. The Contractor is also free to propose other, optional approaches for meeting the objectives of this study, including geographic area, type of equipment, or study species; (2) conduct an analysis of the data collected in Task 1 using appropriate statistical methods in order to quantify the responses of the subject marine mammal species to the ramp-up procedure; and (3) prepare a final report based on the findings and conclusions of the proposed study. The final report shall include recommendations for further research on the ramp-up procedure and, if appropriate, recommendations for changes in ramp-up procedures to improve effectiveness. Not later than March 31, 1999, the offerors must submit a capabilities statement detailing: (A). The offeror's ability to furnish personnel with the abilities to the tasks described above; ( B). The offeror's experience with this type of work and a description of facilities; and (C). Specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client name, and telephone number) for previous work of this nature that the offeror is currently performing or has completed within the last three years (REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED). Also please include any negative references you have with your explanation and rebuttal of the reference. Offerors shall submit their Capabilities Statement in original and two (2) copies to Betty Estey, Contracting Officer at Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS-2500, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Four additional copies shall be sent to Dr. Mark O. Pierson, Minerals Management Service, Pacific OCS Region, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, California 93010. Timeliness of receipt of submissions will be determined by the time received in the Procurement Operations Branch, Herndon, Virginia. The period of performance for the resultant contract will be thirty months, with an estimated value between $650,000 to $700,000. Your capabilities statement will be evaluated based on:( A). Your organization's past performance, including (1) the ability to timely complete projects and to adhere to schedules and budgets, the effectiveness of cost controls, and the quality of products delivered; (2) the degree of comparability of past projects to the current project, including number, complexity, and size. Subcontracts and partners will be considered; and (3) the quality of cooperation between organization, staff, and key personnel and the client. (B). The key scientific and technical personnel responsible for the collection, analysis and synthesis of the experimental data. Particularly relevant is expertise and experience in field work with marine mammals and in bioacoustics. Assessment factors will include qualifications, the relevance of qualifications to assigned tasks, and estimated levels of effort. (C). Your technical approach, including (1) your understanding of the scope and objective of the project required by the MMS and awareness of potential problems; (2) the quality and effectiveness of your plan to collect and analyze field data; and (3) the quality and effectiveness of your plan to produce logical, useful information for decision-making purposes, manuscripts, and publications. ( D). Your project manager, whose scientific capability must be evident through his/her publications in relevant disciplines or his/her experience in relevant technical fields as a manager or principal investigator with managerial responsibilities. Questions should be faxed to (703) 787-1387 or e-mailed as soon as possible to Betty.Estey@mms.gov and should include the RFP number 1435-01-98-RP-30990, your full name, address, phone and fax numbers. Requests or questions by telephone are strongly discouraged. Please use written, e-mail, or faxed inquiries. It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure that the Capabilities statements are received on or before the date/time set forth above. Offerors will be notified after the evaluation of the capability statements as to whether or not they are qualified. The qualified offerors will be sent a detailed request for proposal. Posted 02/25/99 (W-SN302514). (0056)

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