F -- NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND LITIGATION CASE MANAGEMENT

Notice Date

November 16, 2000

Contracting Office

U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

ZIP Code

20910

Solicitation Number

52-DSNC-1-90013

Response Due

December 15, 2000

Point of Contact

Robert Ransom (301) 713-3038 x191

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contracting officer via (robert.ransom@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAAs) Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (DARP) is conducting market research prior to issuing a solicitation for Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) services. A detailed description of the program and the type of services that may be acquired is set forth below. Interested sources including small and small disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to submit the following information to NOAA no later than December 15, 2000. INFORMATION REQUIRED: Sources capable of providing the services as described herein are encouraged to provide information that would assist NOAA in gaining further insight into the types of skills and services available to meet the needs as outlined below. At a minimum, this information should include: company name, address, phone number; size (relative to NAICs code 541620) and special classification (if applicable) (e.g., small disadvantaged business, woman owned business, HUBZONE business); a list of current and prior contracts for like or similar services -- particularly identify if a current GSA FSS contract is held; pricing arrangement and total value of contracts; name and qualifications of principal and key personnel; explanation of company background and specific areas of expertise including an explanation of specific experience in preparing studies in support of litigation and prior testimony experience (See numbered Note 25). Finally, interested sources are invited to identify any ideas and/or preferred method(s) for retaining services of this nature in a manner that ensures a high-quality end product and promotes cost effectiveness. BACKGROUND OF PROGRAM/DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: NOAA has statutory authority to assess injuries to coastal and marine resources from oil spills and releases of hazardous materials, to recover damages from polluters, and to restore injured trust resources. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) -- also known as "Superfund," and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) require parties responsible for releasing hazardous materials and oil to pay monetary compensation (damages) for injury to natural resources caused by the release. In addition, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) provides the authority for NOAA, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce to claim damages for injuries to resources associated with national marine sanctuaries. The National Contingency Plan, promulgated under CERCLA, designates the Secretary of Commerce as the primary federal trustee for living and non-living coastal and ocean resources and authorizes the filing of claims against potentially responsible parties to recover damages. Damages must be used to restore, replace or acquire the equivalent of the injured resources. These authorities have been delegated to NOAA. The Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (DARP) was established by NOAA in 1990 to fulfill the natural resource trustee responsibilities assigned in the FWPCA, Superfund, OPA and the NMSA. DARP acts on behalf of the public to conduct natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs) to recover moneys from responsible parties to restore marine resources. The DARP's interdisciplinary team of natural scientists, resource economists and legal counsel work together to: evaluate toxic releases and oil spills; assess injuries to trust resources; quantify damages in terms of lost services and in monetary terms; develop and evaluate restoration alternatives to replace lost services or lost value, as appropriate, and implement successful restoration strategies. This involves conducting injury assessment and natural resource valuation studies that will survive the rigors of adversarial litigation when millions of dollars are at stake. Since 1990 DARP has supplemented its in-house talent with the services of outside experts to perform injury assessment and natural resource valuation studies. Outside services are also acquired for large, complex cases in order to develop, implement and manage these studies to culminate in a defensible Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan. NOAA may acquire contractual services to perform the full range of activities that could be invoked under the NRDA regulations implementing OPA [15 CFR 990], CERCLA [43 CFR 11], or any other regulations as may be applicable.

Web Link

click here to view information about the Damage Assessment (http://www.darp.noaa.gov/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001120/FSOL006.HTM (W-321 SN5068H4)