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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 1,1999 PSA#2292Department 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) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0019 19990301\B-0002.SOL)
B - Special Studies and Analyses - Not R&D Index Page
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