EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN CETACEAN MORTALITIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number NFFKPR00-11-05927 is being issued as a Request for Quotation. This acquisition is being solicited using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The associated NAICS code and small business size standard is 518210 and $25.0M. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Marine Mammal Conservation Division, has a requirement to provide Epidemiological Studies in Cetacean Mortalities in the Gulf of Mexico. The Contractor will work closely with NMFS to develop the following tasks: I) Data management: a) Develop and fill relational, analyzable database with information generated as part of the Gulf of Mexico Unusual Mortality Event; b) Develop electronic histopathology database, organized by organ system; c) Enter archived stranded cetacean histopathology data from GOM into newly developed electronic database. II) Epidemiological analyses: a) Conduct epidemiology investigation of ongoing UME; b) Evaluate the trends in mortality and causes (lesions/diseases) for the entire Gulf over a 5 - 10 year timeframe; c) Conduct epidemiological analyses of these data as needed by NMFS, including comparisons of pathology pre- and post-spill and pre-and post-UME. The contractor must be a trained epidemiologist with experience in marine mammal and wildlife epidemiological studies and die-off investigations as well as strategic planning for investigations. A veterinary background and expertise is important as well as expertise in database development and data management particularly for health surveillance programs. Database development should be done in cooperation with the SEFSC, NCCOS, and PR data managers and be compatible with the Access databases in which the rest of the data resides. The contractor will work closely with the NMFS MMHSRP staff in the development of the database, the data entry and validation process, and the development of the epidemiological analyses. Monthly conference calls with the NMFS MMHSRP team will be required as well as mid progress meeting and final meeting. It is expected that this information may be important for the DWH Natural Resource Damage Assessment and therefore the contractor may be asked to serve as an expert witness or advisor for the case and will work closely with the Trustees. The period of performance is Date of Award through March 31, 2013. The Statement of Work is incorporated into this synopsis. The resulting purchase order shall be awarded on a firm fixed price. The award shall be made on a best value basis. Best value evaluation factors include the following: 1) Approach - Effectively meeting the requirements; 2) Past Performance - Includes relevant experience which describes at least two (2) relevant projects performed in the last two years and quality of performance; and 3) Price - Price will be considered but not evaluated. The evaluation shall be based on use of the adjectival scheme as follows: Excellent (E) - Superior or first class; Good (G) - Beneficial and worthwhile; sound and valid; Poor (P) - Fails to meet to or more requirements; Unsatisfactory (U) - No acceptable, not adequate to carry out. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53. 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, The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following clauses apply: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certificates - Commercial Item, FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items. FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of segregated facilities, 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contract Registration, 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Other than Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-39, Submission of Electronic Funds Transfer Information with Offer, 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. All responsible sources that can meet the requirements and provide the items as listed above may respond to this solicitation by submitting a proposal addressed to contact@example.gov to be received no later than July 27, 2011 at 11:00am. The Government reserves the right to make one award or no award at all as a result of this solicitation.