U. S. Department Of Commerce, NOAA, Central Administrative Support Center, 601 East 12th St., CC31, Rm. 1756, Kansas City, Missouri 64106

B -- RIGHT WHALE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM PROJECT SOL 52WCNF006001SLW DUE 063099 POC Sharon L. Walker 816-426-7267 x241 The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is acquiring aerial surveys for the right whale early warning system and sighting advisory system for a base period of twelve (12)- months and two (2) twelve (12)- month option periods should the Government choose to exercise it. The primary objective of this work is to locate right whales in their winter and spring ranges and report those locations in near-real time to mariners operating commercial, military, and other vessels in these areas so they may elect to take actions to reduce the likelihood of collisions with right whales. A secondary objective is to recommend to the NMFS additional measures which, based on experience with this program, may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of right whale detection and mitigation of possible vessel collisions. This project will also serve as a source of information on the distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles in the study area. This project shall consist of two components during a survey year (e.g., 1 December 1999 to 30 June 2000). These are: 1.) Surveys of the southern area (Georgia and northern Florida) to be conducted during December 1, 1999 through March 31, 2000. Southern Survey component -- The daily aerial survey will extend from 19 km north of Brunswick, Georgia, to 19 km south of Jacksonville, Florida under VFR flight conditions. This area shall be surveyed from the shoreline out to approximately 30 km from shore. Survey track lines shall be separated by 5.3 km and flown perpendicular to the coast. Track lines shall be flown at 229 m altitude and an airspeed of approximately 160 km/hr. 2.) Surveys of the northern area (from Long Island, NY through waters surrounding Cape Cod, Massachusetts northward to offshore waters of Maine) to be conducted during April through June. Northern survey component- The aerial surveys March 15, 2000 through June 30, 2000 extend from the shoreline offshore to the limit of the EEZ, though typically surveys are not conducted more than 175 km offshore. This area includes waters extending from Long Island, NY, through Block Island South through the waters south and east of Cape Cod, MA (including the George's Bank) and northward through the Gulf of Maine, seaward of the coasts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. The SIC Code is 8713. This is not a small business set-aside. Solicitation No. 52WCNF006001SLW will be issued on or about June 30,1999. All requests must be in writing. Requests may be faxed to (816) 426-7530. Faxed receipts is the responsibility of the offeror. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered by the Agency. Posted 06/04/99 (W-SN339509). (0155)

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