SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Consultant to plan,organize and conduct Workshop
- Notice Date
- 3/5/2018
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- FWS, DIVISION OF CONTRACTING AND FA5275 Leesburg PikeMS: BMOFalls ChurchVA22041-3803
- ZIP Code
- 22041-3803
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intends to award a Purchase Order on a Sole Source basis for an expert consultant to plan, organize and conduct an American Eel Range States Workshop and to develop a Technical Report on the legal and illegal international trade, harvest and management, and conservation status of the American Eel throughout its range. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1,there is Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Service:Develop Agenda for Workshop,draft invitation letters,select and hire a conference venue,handle logistics and travel arrangements,hire simultaneous interpretation services,develop questionnaire,facilitate workshop draft Workshop report Contractor: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural This posting is not a solicitation or a request for competitive quotes or proposals. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition is possible and would be advantageous to the Government. Responses must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. on 3/12/2018 by sending an e-mail to Tonia_ellen@fws.gov The point of contact for this announcement is Tonia Contracting Officer. The primary purpose is to hire an expert consultant to plan, organize and conduct an American Eel Range States Workshop and to develop a Technical Report on the legal and illegal international trade, harvest & management, and conservation status of the American Eel throughout its range Description of Services Required: The USFWS's International Affairs Program seeks a qualified expert consultant to develop an American eel range states workshop in response to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Decision17.187 and gather recent information on American eel harvest, management, trade and illegal trade and enforcement throughout its range; identify the challenges and difficulties in American eel harvest, management, and trademanagement; develop management recommendations that would assist in the legal and sustainable use of the species (e.g. collection of harvest data, best management practices, monitoring of trade, law enforcement, identification techniques for American eel life stages, and outreach, education and awareness raising). In addition, the consultant will produce a draft report from this workshop that Canada and the United States will submit for consideration at the 30th Meeting of the CITES Animals Committee to be held July 2018. The estimated cost to USFWS for the workshop and report is $100,000. Statutory Authority: FAR Subpart 13.106 -1 (b) - Soliciting from a Single Source, used in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901. Reason for Cited Authority: The Sargasso Sea Commission Secretariat is the only vendor capable of completing this workshop in the time-frame needed. They facilitated a similar workshop for the American eel in North America in October, 2015 and for the European eel in October, 2016. They have the necessary past performance, familiarity with scientific/technical and trade aspects of eels as related to the workshop objectives, familiarity with this marine species and its range countries, and experience in planning and executing international workshops for eels. The consistency and continuity afforded by this vendor, who has specifically planned and conducted workshops for eel species is important to the success and effectiveness of the proposed workshop for American eel. The Sargasso Sea Commission is a member of the IUCN network and Anguillidae ( eel) Specialist Group and therefore, has access to species experts within IUCN and the convening power necessary to successfully plan the Workshop. Lastly, they have a demonstrated track record of producing reports from the previous workshops that they conducted which is important to meeting the time-sensitive deadline of having a report submitted for consideration at the July 2018 Meeting of the CITES Animals Committee. The United States will need to submit such a report by May 17, 2018. Description of efforts: Sargasso Sea Commission is the only entity capable of completing the workshop for American eel. Background: The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is found throughout the Northwest Atlantic, south along the Atlantic coast of North America, into the Gulf of Mexico and south throughout the Caribbean as far south as the northern coast of South America. International trade in Anguilla species has existed for decades and includes products related to aquaculture, food and accessories. Harvest of the species for international trade and domestic use has reduced some species to the point where they are now listed by IUCN as threatened and endangered. Once a population of one eel species becomes depleted or trade in it becomes regulated, the demand shifts to other species with less harvest pressure or fewer protections. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) was listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II at CoP14 and was included in Appendix II in 2009. Following the listing of the species, and subsequent export bans imposed on the European Union States, there was an ensuing increase in demand, harvest and export of the American eel. A recent multi-jurisdiction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) investigation called OPERATION BROKEN GLASS investigated the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the investigation has resulted in guilty pleas for 19 individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $5.25 million worth of elvers. CITES Decision 17.187 directs range States and Parties involved in trade in Anguilla spp. to: a) promote international or regional cooperation on a species-by-species basis, including the convening of regional meetings to discuss how to fill the information gaps and ensure long-term sustainability in the face of increasing demand from international trade; b) provide the Secretariat and their consultants with specific information needed for the purposes of completing Decision 17.186 a) and b) as well as the results of the regional meetings; and c) participate, where appropriate, in the technical workshops and share expertise and knowledge. Scope: USFWS requires a consultant who has experience and expertise in convening eel experts and range states to understand and appropriately manage the species. In particular, a consultant needs to have a history and experience convening key range states in eel conservation discussions and can add value to this initiative. The consultant must act as organizers and facilitators of the American eel workshop to include participation of relevant eel harvesting and trading range state government authorities. The 3-day workshop will be held and hosted by the Dominican Republic, ideally in early April 2018. The consultant, in collaboration with the sponsors, will invite representatives who are CITES, fisheries, and customs/enforcement authorities from approximately 15 American eel range states and other participants, such as species experts. The purpose of the workshop is to respond to CITES Decision 17.187 and gather recent information on American eel science, management, trade and illegal trade and enforcement throughout its range; identify the challenges and difficulties in American eel harvest, management, and trade management; develop management recommendations that would assist in the legal and sustainable use of the species (e.g. collection of harvest data, best management practices, monitoring of trade, law enforcement, identification techniques for American eel life stages, and outreach, education and awareness raising); and to agree upon possible next steps for regional American eel conservation and management. This information will be the basis of a report that the sponsor governments may submit to upcoming CITES meetings. Deliverables: We expect the consultant to undertake the following work: Support an American Eel Range State Workshop in April 2018, including: o In consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to develop the agenda for the workshop, a potential list of speakers and a list of workshop participants, and the terms of reference for workshop and associated break out groups. Draft invitation letters for the approval of travel for participants in consultation with USFWS and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, that once approved it will send to invitees. Select and hire a conference venue, including adequate meeting space including lodging participants, plenary sessions and 2-3 break out groups; audiovisual needs and a meal plan (breakfast, lunch & dinner) for meeting participants. Handle logistical and travel arrangements (invitations, lodging, meals, incidentals, insurance, transportation) for up to 65 travelers, including participants and speakers. Arrange and hire simultaneous interpretation/translation services. In consultation with USFWS and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, develop an American eel questionnaire to gather information and send out to participants in advance of the workshop. Compile responses from questionnaire. Facilitate workshop, working groups, and produce meeting notes that can be shared among participants. Draft the Workshop report with a synthesis of information presented and conservation recommendations for USFWS and Canada approval by May 1, 2018. Finalize the Workshop report by May 15, 2018. Requirements: The workshop consultant must have expertise, proven experience, and range state convening power relevant to the conservation of American eel and be capable of delivering the Workshop in the host country, the Dominican Republic. The consultant should be familiar with the biology, trade and management of the American eel across its range and build upon its previous experience in planning and supporting this Workshop. Logistical planning for the workshop will require sustained communication and correspondence with USFWS and Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff. Costs associated with performing the required duties shall be budgeted by the workshop consultant including salary, airfare, ground transportation, meals, lodging, and travel, supplies, interpretation and other expenses. Place of Performance: The work will be performed at the location of the consultant's offices and at the site determined by the consultant in the Dominican Republic. Period of Performance: The project will require commitment from consultants beginning upon the date of the award and lasting through May 31, 2018, including full-day commitments for at least during the 3-4 days of the workshop itself. In addition the consultants will be required to perform on a part-time commitment basis during the planning period before the workshop and after the workshop to produce a draft Report.
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