B -- Nautical Chart Sales Trends

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subparts 12.6 and 13.5 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation and is a total small business set aside. The applicable NAICS code is 541910. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Coast Survey (OCS) in Silver Spring, MD, seeks to purchase economic study services for reasons of decreasing nautical chart sales. The OCS produces Nautical Charts for United States waters, including possessions and territories. Over the past 15 years OCS paper chart sales have been declining, as monitored by monthly OCS chart sales analysis. OCS has, in parallel with its chart sales and analysis, undertaken a series of customer satisfaction surveys in order to track trends in OCS product approval with both professional and recreational mariners. The satisfaction surveys have indicated an increasing trend in customer satisfaction. The contractor shall identify causes for decreasing paper nautical chart sales in report form; provide a detailed desk audit of information that has been published by business libraries, other maritime organizations and institutes that identify changes in the commercial and recreational markets; provide analysis of information that identifies changes in each market segment, commercial, recreational, and other, that have used and purchased paper charts in the past; and prepare a written report on the key drivers for the paper chart market and how it will affect the market over the next five to ten years. The information should be gathered through desk research, identifying sources on the Internet, visiting maritime organizations, institutes and their libraries. Other sources of information can also be used. The period of performance for this task will be two months from the award date. Payment will be paid in full upon completion of the report and presentation of the findings. The resulting purchase order shall be negotiated on a firm fixed price. The award shall be made on a best value basis. Best value evaluation factors include the following: 1) Technical Approach -- The likelihood of effectively meeting the requirements; 2) Past Performance -- The relevance and quality of prior experience; and 3) Price -- The amount, realism and consistency of the evaluated price. The evaluation shall be based on use of the adjectival scheme as follows: Outstanding (O) -- Conspicuously striking in eminence; Good (G) -- Beneficial and worthwhile; sound and valid; Adequate (A) -- Reasonably sufficient and suitable; Marginal (M) -- Minimally suitable at the lower limit. Incorporated clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular Number 2005-15. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.arnet.gov/far. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Respresentations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. All interested contractors must be actively registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at the CCR website (www.ccr.gov). These items will be acquired using simplified acquisition procedures, FAR Parts 12 and 13 utilizing the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. All responsible sources may respond to the Notice with a quotation addressed to Jeffrey Hale, NOAA Acquisition Division, 1305 East West Highway, Room 7153, Silver Spring, MD 20910, to be received no later that 2:00 p.m., September 10, 2007. Responses emailed to Jeffrey.Hale@noaa.gov. Responses must be no more than five (5) pages. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no award as a result of this RFQ. It is the responsibility of the contractor to confirm NOAAs receipt of quote. See numbered note one(1).