B -- QUANTITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF OCS ACTIVITIES ON BOWHEAD WHALE HUNTING SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES IN THE BEAUFORT SEA

Notice Date

February 2, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817

ZIP Code

20170-4817

Solicitation Number

31135

Response Due

February 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Wallace O. Adcox (703) 787-1362

E-Mail Address

Contracting Officer's E-Mail (wallace.adcox@mms.gov)

Description

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the Department of the Interior intends to competitively award a contract to conduct a sociological study in the North Slope villages of Alaska to examine the resident's perspectives on and experiences with OCS oil and gas activity. The MMS is especially interested in their view of any potential changes in bowhead whale hunting and associated social traditions and practices. Resulting information from this effort may be used to develop environmental assessment and environmental impact documentation regarding oil and gas-related activity occurring along the Beaufort Sea OCS. The MMS anitcipates awarding a cost-reimbursement contract with an estimated price of between $450,000-$530,000. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall be required to conduct a representative and randomized in-person survey in the predominately I upiat villages of Barrow, Kaktovik, and Nuiqsut, and in a non-North Slope Arctic Alaska subsistence-oriented control community. Survey data shall be triangulated with archival research and other ethnographic methods to address in comprehensive manner the following three primary study goals: work constructively and cooperatively with North Slope institutions and individuals to identify, document, analyze, and explain patterns of variation or lack of variation among village residents in terms of reported observations and perceptions about the beneficial and detrimental local and regional effects of OCS oil and gas activities, particularly as these relate to the bowhead whale subsistence hunt; use both quantitative and qualitative methods to generate a descriptive assessment of the nature and social implications of the bowhead whale hunt, and the degree to and manner in which residents are continuing the hunt and associated traditional and customary ways of life amidst (a) the presence of OCS oil and gas activity specifically, and (b) the forces of modern society generally; and document, analyze, and explain patterns of variation or lack of variation in reports about the desired futures for the I upiat people given said influences. Special attention is to be given to survey data collection and analysis of response within and across the following four subgroups in each of the study communities: whale hunting captains, community elders, adult householders including whaling crew members and women supporting the hunt, and high school students including whaling crew members. It is emphasized that resulting analyses should frame explanation of variation or lack of variation in a meaningful, coherent, and theoretically responsive descriptive context. A range of demographic variables, socioeconomic indicators, and sociocultural factors should be considered for quantitative and qualitative explanatory utility. The Contractor should be prepared to coordinate effectively with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to enable conduct of the surveys with each study group in each community. OMB approval may be required for the use of survey instruments. Key project deliverables shall include: formal research design, survey pre-test report, annotated bibliography of secondary sources used, draft report with draft technical summary, final report with final technical summary, public summary in English and I upiat, and a peer-reviewed social science journal article relating research findings. HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this contract interested parties MUST demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, BY FOUR O'CLOCK EASTERN TIME ON FEBRUARY 23, 2001, an original and ten (10) copies of a Capabilities Statement detailing: (1) your key personnel (those who would have primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the study) with their qualifications and specific experience. Of particular relevance is a demonstrated understanding of the following: North Slope village and I upiat social and economic conditions and processes past and present; subsistence whale hunting operations, operational challenges, and societal implications of operational success and failure; social and socioeconomic effects and implications of OCS oil and gas activities in the Beaufort Sea and Alaska generally; quantitative and qualitative social scientific research methods, especially survey research methods and including observational methods, archival research, and methodological triangulation; qualitative and quantitative data analysis and analytical triangulation; social, culture, and socioeconomic theory relevant to modern subsistence-oriented societies, especially Arctic subsistence societies; coherent, comprehensive, and jargon-minimal/comprehensible report writing; social and socioeconomic conditions and problems in North Slope villages; logistic, cultural, and linguistic challenges and solutions to conducting fieldwork in Alaskan Arctic villages; development and timely delivery of quality research products; and the directed missions of MMS. Principal scientists should demonstrate experience in relevant scientific disciplines through work history, research products, and authorship in appropriate peer-reviewed publications. The offerer shall provide information on which tasks(s) each key person shall perform, qualifications for completing those tasks, and the rationale for that assignment; (2) your organizational experience and facilities; and (3) specific references (including contract number & project description, period of performance, dollar amount, client identification with the point of contact & telephone number) for previous work of this nature that your key personnel or organization has performed within the last four years (references will be checked). If you believe the Government will find derogatory information as a result of checking your past performance record, please provide an explanation and any remedial action taken by your company to address the problem. Following review of all Capabilities Statements, we will establish a list of those deemed most qualified to perform the work. Offerors will then be contacted and told their evaluation. We will provide additional proposal instructions at that time. Proposals shall essentially consist of an oral technical presentation and written cost/business proposal. Further details of proposal requirements and logistical considerations will be provided at a later date. Your Capabilities Statement will be evaluated based on: (A) demonstrated experience and expertise of all key technical personnel, especially as regards survey and ethnographic research experience in Alaska Native village settings. Skills and experience will be evaluated in light of specific tasks to be performed. Evaluation factors include: length and quality of experience for each person assigned to perform specific tasks and analyses, experience conducting similar research and preparing similar deliverables, demonstrated ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, and authorship in relevant peer-reviewed publications. (B) Project Manager's demonstrated leadership ability and experience with coordination and management of survey and ethnographic research, and ability to control costs and to keep project performance and deliverables on schedule. (C) Demonstrated organizational history of successfully conducting projects of similar size, scope, complexity, duration, and dollar value; producing high-quality deliverables; and completing similar projects on schedule and within budget. Please send the original and two copies to Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS2500, Herndon, VA 20170-4817, Attn: Wallace O. Adcox. Send the remaining seven (7) copies to Minerals Management Service, Alaska OCS, 949 East 36th Ave. -- Suite 300, MS8300, Anchorage, AK 99508-4302, Attn: Dr. Edward Glazier. THE OFFICIAL RECEIPT TIME WILL BE DETERMINED BY RECEIPT IN THE HERNDON, VA OFFICE UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED. Questions regarding this procurement should be faxed or E-mailed as soon as possible to fax (703) 787-1387 or E-mail "wallace.adcox@mms.gov". Please include with your questions your full name, the RFP number & title, your organization, complete address, and phone and fax numbers. TELEPHONIC QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010206/BSOL004.HTM (W-033 SN50C631)