Independent Scientific, Technical, and Policy Guidance Services from Scientists and Others in a Variety of Environmental and Public Policy Issues

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice only. NOAA is a federal agency within the Department of Commerce that is focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere. The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation's economic, social and environmental needs. As a supplier of environmental information products, NOAA provides the nation with information that pertains to the state of the oceans and the atmosphere. This is clearly manifest in the production of weather warnings and forecasts through the National Weather Service, but NOAA's information products extend to climate, ecosystems and commerce as well. NOAA serves as the steward of national coastal and marine environments. In coordination with federal, state, local, tribal and international authorities, NOAA manages the use of these environments, regulating fisheries and marine sanctuaries as well as protecting threatened and endangered marine species. NOAA is a trusted source of accurate and objective scientific information in four particular areas of national and global importance which constitute its long-term mission critical and strategic goals: - Ecosystems: Ensure the sustainable use of resources and balance competing uses of coastal and marine ecosystems, recognizing both their human and natural components. - Climate: Understand changes in climate, including the El Ni'o phenomenon, to ensure that we can plan and respond properly. - Weather & Water: Provide data and forecasts for weather and water cycle events, including storms, droughts and floods. - Commerce & Transportation: Provide weather, climate, and ecosystem information to make sure individual and commercial transportation is safe, efficient and environmentally sound. To assist it in framing its long-term strategic course and assist in policy discussions, NOAA requires input in many complex and interrelated scientific and technical topics. This requires an understanding of the current state of science as well as an intimate knowledge of newly emerging scientific and technical methodologies to support recommendations for future directions NOAA should take into consideration while laying out its strategic plan to meet its mission goals. The government needs to acquire independent scientific, technical, and policy guidance from scientists and others in a variety of environmental and public policy issues through the conduct of roundtable discussions and/or scientific studies which result in compilation of written reports by an institution that has been formally chartered by the U.S. Congress to provide independent scientific advice to the Congress and federal agencies. Areas to be investigated through studies, but are not limited to, the following areas of interest: - Integrated Observing and Data Management System - Assessments and Forecasts of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems - Scenario Development to Support Specific Management Actions and Decisions - Exploring Unknown and Little Known Areas of Earth's Oceans - Capacity Building and Effective Knowledge Transfer - Integrated Global Observation and Data System - Documenting and Understanding Changes in Climate Forcings and Feedbacks - Improving Climate Predictions and Projections - Understanding Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Marine Ecosystems - Enhancing NOAA's Operational Decision Support Tools - Improving Weather Forecasts and Warnings - Water Resources Forecasting - Providing Information to Air Quality Decision Makers and Establishing and Improving a National Air Quality Forecast Capability - Improving Understanding and Forecast Capability in Coasts, Estuaries, and Oceans - Reduced Risks to Life, Health, and Property - Issues that Slow or Stop Movement of Goods - Reduced Risks and Adverse Environmental Impacts - Security Due to the nature and impact of these types of studies and roundtables, NOAA has previously procured these services through the National Academy of Sciences because of its unique qualifications. They have been the only source that can provide the measure of expertise, independence, objectivity, and audience acceptance necessary to meet all of NOAA's program requirements. Firms, that they have the necessary expertise, independence, objectivity, and audience acceptance necessary to meet our needs, may submit a capability statement for the government to further review. This announcement is open to both small and large businesses. The North American Industry Classification system (NAICS) code 541990 (size standard in gross annual receipts of income as defined in 13 CFR 121.104) ) possess the capability to support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide scientific studies related to NOAA's mission. Responses to this sources sought notice shall not constitute responses to any solicitation, which is not currently available. As stipulated in FAR 5.201, responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. The decision to solicit for a contract shall be solely within the Government's discretion. This sources sought notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government reimburse any costs associated with the submission of information in response to this notice. Respondents will not individually be notified of the results of any government assessments. The Government's evaluation of the capability statements received will factor into whether any forthcoming solicitation will be conducted as a small business set-aside, full and open competition, or sole-source procurement. Firms may submit a capability statement or proposal which shall be considered by the agency. The capability statement shall be no more than twenty (20) single-sided pages in length and shall address the following topics: - Organization's Name, Address, Phone Number, Email, and Point of Contact Information - Brief summary describing your organization and purpose. If you are an educational institution, list any specific areas of study (e.g. - degree programs, emphasis programs). - Provide a list of experience and studies in topics that are similar to the above. Discuss how scientific experts and qualified scientists are selected to conduct these studies. Discuss how you would incorporate a wide range of views to give a spectrum of scientific thought in a subject area. If studies were conducted on behalf of the government, list department and agency along with a point of contact name, number, and email address. - List experience/education/certifications of any key personnel relevant to the studies above completed in the past five (5) years. Copies of resumes and a list of relevant papers published should be included. The list should provide at a minimum, the author, name of the study, publication, and date with a synopsis of the study. - Credibility, impartiality, and objectivity of the study by your institution. Since these reports impact environmental and agency policy, your organization should discuss how you will ensure credibility, impartiality, and objectivity in any studies that could be conducted by your organization. In order to maintain this credibility, impartiality, and objectivity, indicate any financial interests that might relate to the studies listed above and provide an explanation of how you would mitigate any potential risk associated with those financial interests. - Include your business size classification (e.g. large business, small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDB, SDVOSB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.) Submissions will not be accepted after December 4, 2015 at 1:00 pm Central. Electronic responses are required and shall be submitted to Joan Clarkston at joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov. Please be sure to identify the solicitation number in the subject heading along with the words "Sources Sought Response for Independent Scientific, Technical, and Policy Guidance Services." All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional information is available. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract.