2015 Apex Predators Program - Coastal Shark Survey

The Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norfolk, VA is soliciting quotes on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for the charter of one (1) longline fishing vessel in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW). BACKGROUND: The Apex Predators Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) is requesting the charter of one (1) longline fishing vessel. The vessel will be involved in conducting sampling of large coastal sharks using bottom longline gear. Specific objectives of this survey are to: 1) investigate the distribution, abundance, and species composition of sharks; 2) collect catch per effort data; 3) tag sharks for migration studies; 4) inject, with tetracycline, tagged sharks whenever feasible for age validation studies; 5) collect biological samples for age and growth, food habits and reproductive studies; and to 6) collect morphometric data in accordance with the attached SOW. The planned period of performance is up to 50 days, April 4 through May 22, 2015. We expect to conduct the survey in two (2) legs of three (3) weeks duration. A shorter leg may also be required in the event we substitute scientific personnel. Depending on where the ship departs, the vessel may be required to enter port to pick up the scientific crew before the fishing starts and in between legs. Flexibility will be required on the vessel's part. This is a best value, competitive requirement. The Government expects to award a firm-fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest priced quoter with the highest technical score if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The following factors, which are listed in descending order of importance, shall be used to evaluate offers: (1) Vessel characteristics and configuration, particulars and general arrangement (preferably with photos of deck configuration, berthing arrangement and wheelhouse electronics). (2) Vessel's commercial fishing history and any other information important in evaluating the vessel's fishing capability. (3) Master's and crew's work experience and qualifications including copies of licenses held and emergency medical qualifications and descriptions of research qualifications and past research performed. (4) Past Performance - Identify vessel, master's and crews past performance experience. Quoters shall demonstrate relevant past performance or affirmatively state no relevant past performance. (5) Price. Factors 1-4, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The solicitation will be competed as a 100% total small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification Code System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541712, Research and Development, Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The small business size standard is 500 employees. NOAA anticipates awarding one firm-fixed-price contract as a result of this solicitation. All responsible and fully responsive small businesses may submit a proposal which will be considered by the agency. The response due date is March 2, 2015, at 3:00 PM ET. All responsible sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency. For information concerning this acquisition, please forward inquiries via e-mail to Christie McCloud, Contract Specialist, at Christie.Mccloud@noaa.gov or via telephone at (757) 605-7407. Companies offering a response to this notice shall ensure that they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), www.sam.gov, prior to submission of proposals. All vendors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the SAM. NO award shall be made unless the vendor is registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. In order to register with the SAM and be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors shall also have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at: http://www.dnb.com/ or by phone at (800) 333-0505. This procurement also requires offerors to file veteran employment reports at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fcp/main.htm.