CARIBBEAN VESSEL, DIVE, AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial service prepared and processed in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this announcement. This is a Solicitation for the United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Habitat Conservation (OHC), located in Silver Spring, MD is seeking services for Caribbean coral restoration support contract for vessel and dive support in the area of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Government intends to issue a Time and Materials contract with a Not To Exceed capacity of $950,000.00 and a period of performance of three (3) years from date of award. DOC/NOAA/NMFS/OHC interacts with NOAA/NMFS regional offices to manage, conserve and enhance habitats for fishery resources, protected species and other living marine resources, and is the focal point for marine and estuarine habitat restoration within NOAA. The Restoration Center (RC), a division of OHC, performs coastal habitat restoration pursuant to federal legislation and improves the state of restoration ecology and habitat management, and is responsible for restoring degraded habitats, advancing the science of coastal habitat restoration, transferring restoration technologies to other agencies and practitioners, and fostering habitat stewardship and a conservation ethic. In support of these responsibilities, OHC ensures that NOAA's resources are protected and restored in accordance with appropriate Acts and mandates. Coral Reefs in the U.S. Caribbean (USVI and PR) reefs are annually impacted by 1-2 hurricanes, 2-3 large ship groundings, nearly 100 of small boat groundings, and tons of marine debris and derelict fishing. These physical impacts from hurricanes, vessel groundings, anchors, and marine debris are major threats to coral reef health and integrity and present a direct disturbance to the coral environment that can completely alter a reefs structure and function. After these acute disturbances, fragments are subject to abrasion, scour, and sedimentation, which can ultimately result in death. Unchecked, these damages can result in reef loss and instability, reducing coastal protection, causing economic impact to local fisheries, and eliminating key tourist attractions on which many coastal economies depend. However, if dislodged fragments can be collected and stabilized shortly after physical impact then, the probability of survival increases substantially. While NOAA and local jurisdictions have some limited personnel and desire to respond to these impact events, we often have difficulties securing the necessary logistical support (vessel and dive support) to respond to these events in a timely manner. In addition to these direct physical impacts NOAA is also often faced with logistical limitations when responding to other hazard events and/or when conducting general coral reef management and research activities. In an effort to address the limited logistical support discussed above NOAA seeks support from a firm that can provide logistical support to the local partners and NOAA staff conducting activities in the region. See Scope of Services in attached solicitation. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: See attached solicitation and attachment for submittal requirements. To be considered, interested firms must submit the following no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT on May 22, 2012 to the following: One (1) electronic submittal package to email address contact@example.gov; Submissions may be faxed if email submission is not feasible. Fax to: +1 (555) 000-0000. Proposing firms are responsible for supplying information concerning each evaluation factor, including copies of any professional certifications or licenses. See Section D of the attached request for proposal for specific submission requirements. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the Central Contractors Registration (CCR) database. Register via the CCR Internet site at http://www.ccr.gov or by contacting CCR at: Federal Service Desk (8am - 8pm Eastern Time) at +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000. In order to register with the CCR, all firms must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at: https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions.asp or by phone at +1 (555) 000-0000. The Federal Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative called Online Representations and Certifications application (ORCA). ORCA is a web-based system that centralizes and standardizes the collection, storage, and viewing of many of the representations and certifications required by the Federal Acquisition Regulations and previously found in solicitations. According to the language in FAR case 2002-024, vendors are required to use ORCA beginning 01 January 2005. Detailed information can be found by visiting the Help section of the ORCA website at http://orca.bpn.gov. VETS-100 Requirement: Per Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) part 22.1303 all firms must complete their VETS-100 report via the Department of Labor website at https://vets100.vets.dol.gov/ to be eligible for award. QUESTIONS: All questions must be directed, via email, to: Jeanie Jennings, Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov. Any official communications shall be published in FedBizOpps. Vendors should register as Interested Vendors to ensure receipt of updated information.