SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Support for the Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group
- Notice Date
- 1/5/2012
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910
- ZIP Code
- 20910
- Solicitation Number
- NFFKST00-12-01795PMF
- Archive Date
- 2/4/2012
- Point of Contact
- Patricia McBride-Finneran, Phone: 301-734-1239
- E-Mail Address
-
patricia.mcbride-finneran@noaa.gov
(patricia.mcbride-finneran@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Scientific Support Services (I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number NFFKST00-12-01795PMF. (III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular- Includes Amendments from FAC 2005-55, effective on January 3, 2012. (IV) This procurement is unrestricted and open to all sources. The associated NAICS code is 541690. The small business size standard is $6.5. (V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial item(s)/services: CLIN 00001: Support for the Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group. (VI) Description of requirements is as follows: CLIN 00001: Support for the Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group. Statement of Work Background The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is the “only Federal Advisory Committee responsible for advising the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator (http://www.sab.noaa.gov).” SAB advice helps ensure high quality science programs, strategic research, and resource management in NOAA. Due to the breadth of scope of advice the SAB is asked to provide to NOAA, the SAB convenes Working Groups to provide specific expertise on certain topics. For topics of long-term importance to NOAA the SAB has standing Working Groups, including an Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group (ESMWG). The ESMWG provides “scientific advice and broad direction to the NOAA SAB regarding NOAA’s ecosystem related programs, in the context of national and international activities,” and on “NOAA’s progress related to: regionalization, integrated ecosystem assessments, ecosystem science and monitoring, and organization issues ( http://www.sab.noaa.gov/Working_Groups/standing/docs/2008/ESMWG_TOR_FINAL.pdf).” Recent issues studied by the ESMWG include Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, and Transformative Research. The ESMWG is composed of 10-12 distinguished scientists with expertise in ecosystem related disciplines. ESMWG members generously devote time to ESMWG related activities outside of their primary jobs and within already very busy schedules. The ESMWG meets three times a year and meets by teleconference in between in person meetings. Depending on their current topics and deadlines extensive work is sometimes required in between meetings. As such, the ESMWG requires dedicated and directed staff assistance to manage the group and facilitate and develop meeting agendas, promote discussion and resolution of action items during and in-between meetings, coordinate and organize meeting and conference call logistics, confer regularly with NMFS, OAR, and NOS staff to keep up to date on ESMWG relevant issues, and to confer regularly with the ESMWG co-chairs. A NMFS contractor is required to help with the above as relates to the upcoming Spring 2012 meeting. Commercial Fishing Vessel and Fishery Observer Safety Commercial fishing is consistently one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States due to hazardous working conditions including, among other reasons, adverse weather, vessel disasters, dangerous gear operations, and a working environment that can cause fatigue. Commercial fishing fatalities have been gradually declining since the early 1990s, in part attributed to the Commercial Fishing Industry Safety Act of 1988, which required that fishing vessels have and maintain basic safety and survival equipment on board, complete safety training. However, despite recent improvements to fishing vessel safety, fishing fatalities and accidents remain. Since 1992 the U.S. Coast Guard has offered voluntary Dockside Safety Exams in an effort to make fishing vessels safer. Commercial fishing vessels (CFVs) that successfully pass this exam are given a safety decal, which is then valid for 2 years. NMFS deploys fishery observers to collect data on fish catch and bycatch from federal commercial fishing vessels and fishing processing vessels. Currently fishery observers are required to monitor 42 different fisheries. The National Observer Program (NOP), housed in the NMFS Office of Science and Technology, provides a formal mechanism for NMFS to address issues of national importance to fishery observers including development of national policy related to observer health and safety. In 2004 NMFS and the U.S. Coast Guard signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Observer Safety (MoA) to aid in the implementation of the NOAA Fisheries Observer Health and Safety Regulations (50 CFR Part 600.725 and 600.746), which required that CFVs have a valid U.S. Coast Guard safety decal before taking an observer on-board. In 2010, a group of Worcester Polytechnic Institute students, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and NMFS, reported on the effectiveness of this MoA in the U.S. Coast Guard Districts 1 and 5 (within the NMFS Northeast region) as relates to commercial fishing vessel fatalities, casualties, observer pre-vessel safety check lists, and at-sea boardings. Their results showed significantly fewer fatalities and casualties on commercial fishing vessels with valid safety decals. In 2011, the NOP, with U.S. Coast Guard support, decided to expand the analysis of CFV fatalities and casualties to a national scope. In addition to looking at CFV fatalities and casualties by NMFS region and safety decal status, the analysis includes fishery specific data, complements of National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Results will be written up in a report and will be useful in further determining if the MoA has increased safety at sea and in informing future safety efforts. NMFS contractor support is needed to complete this report, communicate and coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard and NIOSH, in collaboration with the NOP, regarding any data questions or data requests, communicate with regional Observer Programs, and to present results at the February 2012 National Observer Program Advisory Team Meeting in Panama City, Florida. Tasks ESMWG Spring 2012 meeting Key tasks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: · Complete development of the Spring 2012 ESMWG meeting agenda, including, but not limited to organizing and leading conference calls pertaining to agenda development, regularly communicating with ESMWG co-chairs and members and NOAA staff, and providing guidance on agenda structure · Contact and coordinate all logistics concerning invited speakers including, but not limited to, identifying potential speakers, sending the invitation to the speakers, providing guidance on their presentation and information on meeting logistics, collecting all background materials and presentations from speakers, and being a Point of Contact for any questions · Organize, in cooperation with the ESMWG meeting host, a science field trip for one half day of the Spring 2012 ESMWG meeting · Coordinate on-site meeting logistics with on-site host and staff, including conference room space, travel between the hotel and the meeting, and audio-visual equipment · Coordinate with NMFS staff on travel logistics (flights and ground transportation) for ESMWG members and invited speakers and be a Point of Contact for any travel related questions, including reimbursement following the meeting · Coordinate all logistics during the meeting including ensuring proper room set-up and audio-visual set up, running the presentations, and taking detailed notes · Provide detailed meeting notes to OAR staff for write up, assist with Action Item follow-up and official meeting minute write up Commercial Fishing Vessel and Fishery Observer Safety report Key tasks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: · Complete report on Fishery Observer Safety · Facilitate communication and coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, NIOSH, and regional Observer programs as needed · Present results at February 22-24 National Observer Program Advisory Team meeting in Panama City, Florida Expertise Key areas of expertise include the following: · Master’s of Science in fisheries, aquatic sciences, or a related field · 5 or more years of experience working in fisheries or aquatic sciences, including some policy experience · Familiarity with the NOAA structure and Federal Advisory Committee processes and structure, including the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) and its Working Groups · Intimate knowledge of the current and relevant past topics studied by the NOAA SAB and the Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group of the NOAA SAB, including Ecosystem- Based Management of Fisheries, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, and the NOAA Research and Development Portfolio Review · Working knowledge of relevant Federal and NOAA ecosystem related programs and NOAA staff expertise · Familiarity with and experience applying NOAA policies on invitational travel, hotel contracts, and travel reimbursements · Previous experience coordinating meetings, developing agendas, remotely coordinating groups, and facilitating collaborative efforts such as ensuring Working Group reports progress on time, Working Group members meet individual deadlines, and drafting report sections · Experience taking detailed scientific meeting notes especially regarding ecosystem or fisheries topics · Intimate knowledge and understanding of ecosystem, fishery, and aquatic science subject matter and terminology · Knowledge of past commercial fishing vessel safety research and relevant legislation and regulations · Familiarity with current NMFS fishery observer policies and relevant legislation and regulations · Familiarity with current U.S. Coast Guard commercial fishing vessel safety policies and the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement database · Experience using the U.S. Coast Guard Port State Information Exchange database and Incident Investigation Reports database IT Security The contractor must meet the Department of Commerce IT Security Program Policy and Minimum Implementation Standards (found at http://www.osec.doc.gov/cio/ITSIT/DOC-IT-Security-Program-Policy.htm ). Travel It is expected that the contractor will attend the following meetings: · Ecosystem Science and Management Working Group meeting, likely in February 2012, to handle all on-site meeting logistics and to take detailed notes · National Observer Program Advisory Team meeting in Panama City, FL February 22-24, 2012 to present report results The above travel is part of this contract. Travel will be from the contractor’s place of business to the location of the meeting, wherever scheduled. Period of Performance The work is expected to be full time for a single individual from February 1, 2012 through April 30, 2012. Place of Performance The work is expected to be conducted at NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. (VII) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance : Silver Spring, Maryland. Period of performance: February 1, 2012 through April 30, 2012. (VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items ( June 2008 ), applies to this acquisition. In addition to written price quotes, offers are instructed to provide descriptive literature, capability statement describing qualifications to perform requirements listed in paragraphs (V) and (VI), past performance references. (IX) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items ( Jan 1999 ), applies to this acquisition. Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Award will be based on experience, past performance, and price, The Government will evaluate quotations based on the following evaluation criteria: 1) Experience – please provide summaries of evaluation that reflects the ability to provide this service. 2) Past Performance - the RFQ shall include no fewer than two (2) references, including address, phone number, and point of contact. Past performance will be evaluated in terms of timeliness, and general professionalism. 3) Price Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a), and award will be made to the firm offering the best value to the Government. (X) The offeror must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (NOV 2011) with its quote. An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision. (XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial (J UNE 2010 ), applies to this acquisition. (XII) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (JAN 2012) applies to this acquisition. The following clauses under subparagraph (b) apply (18) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) ( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2) ). (19) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (J UNE 2003)( E.O. 11755). (20) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (J UL 2010) (E.O. 13126). (21) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). (22) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). (24) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (O CT 2010) ( 29 U.S.C. 793 ). (39) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332 ). The following clauses under subparagraph (c) apply: ( 1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) ( 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). This RFQ incorporates Wage Determination No.: 2005-2563, Revision No.: 13, Date of Revision: 06/13/2011. (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (M AY 1989) ( 29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (XIII) The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http:www.arnet.gov (End of clause). The following additional contract requirements or terms and conditions apply 52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991) 52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991) (XIV) The Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price order resulting from this solicitation. (XV) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 3:00 P.M. EST/EDT on (1/20/2012). All quotes must be faxed or emailed to the attention of Pat McBride-Finneran. The fax number is (301) 713-0518 and email address is patricia.mcbride-finneran@noaa.gov (XVI) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Pat McBride-Finneran. 301-734-1239, patricia.mcbride-finneran@noaa.gov.
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/OCSOAR/NFFKST00-12-01795PMF/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NOAA Headquarters, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, United States
- Zip Code: 20910
- Zip Code: 20910
- Record
- SN02649564-W 20120107/120105234924-7208fc9230a51077187075727a52165e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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