CORDELL BANK TRAINING, OUTREACH COORDINATOR

CORDELL BANK TRAINING, OUTREACH & VOLUNTEER OBSERVATION COORDINATOR (I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number NCND6024-13-01408DT. (III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-69. (IV) This solicitation is being issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 611710. The small business size standard is $14.0 million. (V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial service: Line Item 0001. Services, non-personal, to develop ocean literacy programs by working with local partners through workshops, exhibits, outreach programs, films, and by developing programs and resources for educators, docents and teachers. (VI) Description of requirements is as follows: A. BACKGROUND Cordell Bank is an offshore seamount located on the edge of the continental shelf about 25 nautical miles west of the Pt. Reyes lighthouse in California. The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS) was established in 1989 to protect and preserve the extraordinary marine ecosystem surrounding the Cordell Bank. Surrounded by soft sediments of the continental shelf seafloor, Cordell Bank emerges with a rocky habitat, providing home to colorful and abundant invertebrates, algae, and fishes. The productive waters attract migratory seabirds and marine mammals from all around the Pacific Ocean to feed in this dynamic ecosystem. B. OVERVIEW The sanctuary works to develop ocean literacy programs by working with local partners. The sanctuary achieves this goal through workshops, exhibits, outreach programs, films, and by developing programs and resources for educators, docents and teachers. In addition, the education staff at CBNMS works closely with the research team to communicate research results. Our primary research and monitoring program investigates the relationship between oceanographic conditions and biological productivity in the sanctuary. Sanctuary staff and partners monitor changes in ocean production and the distribution and abundance of top level predators like seabirds, whales and turtles within and between years. The Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) program has monitored sanctuary conditions for ten years. Educators work directly with the ACCESS team to translate the research to multiple audiences including media, social media, educators, and ocean interested public and other interested audiences. SCOPE OF WORK: Task A. Education and Outreach Services to fulfill the following requirements 1. Working collaboratively with NOAA staff, contractor will design programs and activities for teachers, targeting K-12, using coastal and ocean sciences to increase literacy and awareness of the oceans and national marine sanctuaries. Work includes developing webinar series for professional development for teachers on specific ocean and/or climate topics and developing a coastal ecology field workshop series (3 workshops) geared to increase teachers' knowledge of coastal ecology, science, threats, and conservation efforts. Contractor will work with sanctuary partners, create series, advertise, recruit, manage all behind the scenes logistics, host the series, and conduct pre and post evaluation with each program. 2. Working collaboratively with NOAA staff, design tailored training materials for museum docents to assist docents in being able to deliver education programs, tours, and demonstrations at the newly opened and permanent exhibit on Cordell Bank NMS. Contractor will work with docents and museum staff to create appropriate training materials covering topics such as: history of Cordell Bank, oceanography of the Cordell Bank region (upwelling), underwater/Bank ecology, albatross migrations/lifecycle/threats, sanctuary conservation issues, and general sanctuary resource protection and Office of National Marine Sanctuary messages. 3. Work with sanctuary education coordinator to develop a K-5 school sanctuary program to be delivered in elementary schools by a sanctuary educator/volunteer/intern. Contractor will conduct needs assessment with schools in Sonoma and northern Marin Counties and identify best topics that are relevant to the sanctuary and to K-5 curriculum topics of interest. Contractor will create and pilot program in 5 schools and create evaluation strategy. 4. Working collaboratively with NOAA staff, conduct training for teachers about the Winged Ambassadors curriculum, and conduct formal evaluation of the curriculum and training program. Update the curriculum based on feedback from teachers and evaluation. Winged Ambassadors educational resource that consists of 5 lesson plans that use the albatross as an "ambassador" species. It features data collected from researchers conducting work in Cordell Bank NMS (under permit) and current ocean conservation issues to increase ocean literacy and awareness about sanctuary species and conservation. Task B. Sample analysis: As part of the ACCESS program, net tows are done to quantify the distribution of plankton. Zooplankton samples will be analyzed for species and life stage data so the Sanctuaries can better understand the keystone populations. The contractor will complete full analysis of plankton samples collected during monitoring cruises. Specimens will be identified to the lowest possible taxon. As appropriate, an aliquot of each sample will be analyzed. Taxa will be sorted with specific attention paid to euphausiids (krill), copepods, decapods, mysids, and fish. For each sample, measurements of all taxa will be made including, mean length, maximum length, life stage, sex, percentage of the total sample, and as appropriate, developmental stage. If samples need to be split, clear documentation will be provided. 1. Split the sample to a reasonable subsample (or aliquot) to allow for easier sorting to find the taxa of interest: euphausiids (krill), decapods, copepods, mysids, and fish. 2. Identify (to species and life stage), enumerate, measure and weigh the euphausiids in the sample. 3. Identify (to species and life stage, if possible), enumerate, measure and weigh the decapods and copepods in the sample. 4. Enumerate, measure and weigh the mysids and fish in the sample. 5. Store contents of the subsample in different vials, and properly label each vial with the appropriate information. 6. Record all data on NOAA supplied data-sheets. All data sheets will be delivered to the sanctuary upon completion of the analysis. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 1. PhD in biology or Education related field with experience and familiarity in benthic and pelagic ecology of the sanctuaries. 2. Strong connections with California academic institutions and museums. C. IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS The contractor must use government furnished equipment (GFE), which is currently covered by an existing government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) package. The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of 48 CFR 1352.239-73 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. (VII) The period of performance shall be twelve months from date of award. (VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (July 2013), applies to this acquisition. NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror. Provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with 52.212-2. - Technical - Meet all the requirements specified in the statement of work with supporting documentation. - Past Performance - quote shall include at least two references that can provide information pertaining to the offeror's performance of relevant work. Provide current contact information including name, phone number, and email address. - Price. 1352.215-72 Inquiries (Apr 2010). Offerors must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to Doris Turner either through email contact@example.gov or faxed to +1 (555) 000-0000 no later than 4:00 p.m. MST, August 12, 2013. (IX) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a), and award will be made to the firm offering the best value to the Government. Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: The Government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order on an all or none basis. Evaluation will be based on: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY EVALUATION: Offerors will be evaluated on their proposed technical approach and how they plan to meet the specified requirements. PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: The Government will conduct a performance assessment based on the quality of the past performance of the Contractor on similar contracts as it relates to the probability of successful accomplishment of the required effort. Information utilized may be obtained from the references listed in the proposal, other customers known to the Government, and/or others who may have useful and relevant information. The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services and customer satisfaction. The Government reserves the right to assess the past performance of proposed subcontractors, if applicable. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency's knowledge of contractor performance, other Government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases. BASIS FOR PRICE EVALAUTION Pricing will be reviewed for fairness and reasonableness. Evaluation of offer(s) will be in accordance with FAR Part 12.602, FAR Part 13.106, and as prescribed in FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999). (X) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Aug 2013) The offeror must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Aug 2013), with its quote. SEE ATTACHMENT. An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at WWW.SAM.GOV. Please note that the System for Award Management (SAM) is now the official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/RedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically in System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. (XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (July 2013), applies to this acquisition. (XII) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (Aug 2013) applies to this acquisition (See Attachment). (XIII) The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: See Attachment (XIV) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating do not apply. (XV) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 4:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time on August 16, 2013. All quotes must be faxed or emailed to the attention of Doris Turner. The fax number is +1 (555) 000-0000 and the email address is contact@example.gov. (XVI) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Doris Turner through the email address: contact@example.gov or fax +1 (555) 000-0000.