Caribbean Vessel Dive and Scientific Support Services

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared and processed in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this announcement. This is a Solicitation for the United States (U.S.) 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, which is seeking a contract to provide vessel, personnel, and equipment support necessary for response and restoration in the aftermath of physical impact events (such as ship groundings and hurricanes), active population enhancement of threatened and endangered coral species, reduction of and mitigation for land-based sources of pollution, and the implementation of coastal habitat restoration projects 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 $5,000,000.00 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. Beyond these activities, NOAA is also often faced with logistical limitations when responding to other hazard events and when conducting general coral reef management and research activities. In particular, NOAA often has requirements in the region to map, monitor and assess the benthic habitats, flora, and fauna; characterize oceanographic conditions; and evaluate impacts associated with land based sources of pollution. While NOAA and local jurisdictions have some limited personnel to respond to these impact events, NOAA often has difficulties securing the necessary logistical support (vessel and dive services) to respond to these events in a timely manner. In an effort to address these shortfalls, NOAA seeks a firm that can provide logistical support to the local partners and NOAA staff conducting activities in the region. See the full Scope of Services in the attached solicitation. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: See the solicitation and related attachment for submittal requirements. To be considered, interested firms must submit one (1) electronic submittal package to contact@example.gov no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT on August 10, 2015. Proposing firms are responsible for supplying information concerning each evaluation factor, including copies of any professional certifications or licenses. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Register via the internet site at http://www.sam.gov. In order to register with the SAM, all firms must have a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) identifier. A DUNS identifier can be obtained free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at: https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions.asp or by phone at +1 (555) 000-0000. QUESTIONS: All questions must be directed, via email, to: Jeanie Jennings, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov. Any official communications shall be published in the FedBizOpps. Vendors should register as Interested Vendors to ensure receipt of updated information.