Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: CGS, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203

F -- SUPPORT CONTRACTOR FOR ASSISTANCE SERVICES OF FISH HATCHERY PROJECT!! SOL 1448-98210-0R00X!! POC Robert Ashworth / 703-358-1728 WEB: FWS Home Page, www.fws.gov. E-MAIL: Contracing Officer, but see text of notice above., robert_ashworth@fws.gov. The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council intends to engage the services of a support contractor to assist in the completion of the Council's Assessment of the Future for the National Fish Hatchery System. This project will require the capabilities of a seasoned project support contractor with extensive experience in project management, through understanding of the scientific, social and economic issues surrounding aquatic resource and other natural resource issues, and working with individuals and organizations who represent the sport fishing, aquatic resources and other natural resource conservation communities. The FWS intends to enter into a purchase order for other the full and open competition with NKC Environmental Consulting, Inc, a small, women-owned business firm located in Duluth, GA. The statutory authority for this is 41 USC 253(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Unique requirements include: a) Extensive Knowledge of and Contacts Within the Recreational Fishing and Aquatic Resources Conservation communities. It is absolutely essential that the National Fish Hatcheries Assessment support contractor have a history of working successfully in partnership with members of the recreational fishing and aquatic resources conservation communities. Because the issue of the need for and management of Federal fish hatcheries has long been controversial in these communities, the support contractor's extensive experience in working with these groups is vital to ensure that stakeholder participants in this process have a high level of trust in the project and its outcomes. B) Extensive Knowledge of Issues Related to Fish Hatcheries. The need for clear understanding of the scientific, social and economic issues surrounding Federal fish hatcheries is essential in obtaining and maintaining stakeholder trust in this project. Much of the controversy surrounding Federal fish hatcheries involves these concerns, and it is important that the contractor understand these issues and their historical context. C) Project Management Experience. The SFPBC's National Fish Hatcheries Assessment Project requires a support contractor who can work independently to skillfully guide other professionals through a consensus-building process to fulfill the project's purpose. This work will involve a variety of tasks, from interacting regularly with high-level natural resource managers to working closely with meeting facilitators to tracking time donated to the project by non-governmental organization staff. D)Finally, this is a time sensitive project needed to begin in early to mid- December which would limit the ability of another contractor to gain the necessary understanding and experience with the national fish hatchery system and its issues. Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities fully addressing all the requirements above. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Request merely asking for a copy of the acquisition will not be honored. Unless a determination is made to issue a competitive solicitation, this notice will constitute the Governments only communication of this requirement. See Note 22. Posted 11/19/99 (W-SN402420). (0323)

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