Logistical support for Facilitating Unmanned System Missions

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION This is a SOURCES SOUGHT Synopsis. This sources sought notice is for our Marine Sanctuary based in Channel Islands, California. The contractor shall be responsible for supporting the COE Director in the development and implementation of the COE and providing logistical support for facilitating unmanned system missions across the program and with identified partner agencies and institutions. This SOURCES SOUGHT synopsis is not a commitment by the Government. The purpose of this synopsis is to obtain capabilities information from all sizes and types of firms to determine the degree of competition within the industry. Information received will be used to make a determination regarding the use of full and open competition or to set aside the procurement. No solicitation is currently available. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. The Government intends to award an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract and issue task orders as Labor Hour, Firm Fixed Price or Cost Reimbursable for an ordering period of up to 1 year, with 4 option periods (for a total of 5 years). The Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC) is 4499 and North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541990.The size standard for this NAICS is $15.0 million. Responses should include the following information: 1. Offerors name, addresses, point of contact, telephone number and e-mail address. 2. Offerors business size to include designation as HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, etc. For 8(a) contractors, please include proposed graduation date from the 8(a) program. 1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. 1.1. PLANS AND PRODUCTS. Contractor shall work with the COE Director or Technical Representative to assure that written products are reviewed and approved before release. 1.1.1. Develop Operations/Cruise Plan and an Operational Risk Management analysis for each Unmanned Systems mission. 1.1.2. Develop annual Unmanned Systems Operations plan. NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and Aircraft Operations Center policies require early submission of SF 57-11 (Request for Support) to develop maintenance scheduling and staffing plans. This plan requires input from all Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) sites and partners to ensure allocation of unmanned systems to meet our requirements for the following fiscal year. 1.1.3. Develop annual COE budget plan and assist in executing it. 1.1.4. Develop ONMS Unmanned Technologies integration plan. Modeled after the ONMS Airborne Data Requirements ten year plan, this plan will develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating unmanned technologies into the ONMS research, enforcement, emergency response, and maritime heritage programs. 1.1.5. Develop ONMS sensor and integration plan for NOAA Unmanned Systems Working Group. In conjunction with the test and evaluation of unmanned platforms, the COE will develop a plan to track and test emerging sensor payloads (e.g cameras) compatible with various platforms (e.g. PUMA) that meet ONMS and NOAA requirements. The COE will work with technology companies to integrate new sensor payloads into existing NOAA unmanned systems. 1.1.6. Develop a five-year ONMS Unmanned Systems strategic operations and acquisitions plan for the COE. More of a visionary document, this plan will provide for the potential exponential expansion of smaller, cheaper unmanned technologies and a strategy for continuous testing, evaluation, and upgrading these systems for ONMS. 1.1.7. Develop a five-year COE concept and operations plan. This document, as required by ONMS, will provide a longer term blueprint for the development of a Center of Excellence for Unmanned Technologies at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. It will provide details of staffing requirements, budget scenarios and plans, unmanned system requirements and testing strategies, exploration of technologies that have not yet been fully developed or are operational, potential partnerships and organizational structure. 1.1.8. COE outreach. Assist in the development of content and maintenance for a website. Promote the COE at various conferences and meetings, craft and deliver presentations to industry, agency and public groups, such as ONMS Sanctuary Advisory Councils, and support the development of print, video, and radio media, including press releases, and talking points. 1.2. PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS. Develop and formalize research, military, non-governmental organization, private sector, and academic partnerships with the COE. Secure authorizations and agreements to provide military airspace. Develop and establish Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) clearances for COE UAS operations. 1.3. UAS MISSIONS. Coordinate and facilitate logistical and operational support for approximately six ten-day deployments of COE Unmanned Systems missions. (Subject to the availability of mission funding) 1.4. REPORTING. The contractor shall report at monthly staff meetings and COE meetings. The contractor shall use Google calendar for planning and documenting all COE meetings, phone calls, and missions, and shall share the calendar with d all CINMS employees and contractors. Contractor shall provide a time sheet and project report along with their invoice. REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: At least two years of experience conducting small UAS missions for marine resource or similar management. Operations - Experience with evaluating the overall safety of both aviation and marine operations. - Experience and ability to gain required permits, approvals, etc. from NOAA, FAA, and military controllers. - Experience in marine and aerial living marine resource survey design and implementation. - Experience with remote sensing including LiDAR, Hyperspectral, and optical systems. - Knowledge of Marine Protected Area enforcement and monitoring. Equipment - AeroVironment Puma UAS Ground Control Station. - Micro drones md4-1000 Quad copter system. - GPS and GIS, Falcon view flight planning software. - Aviation radio and FAA communication protocol. - Military band radio and military communication protocol. Additional requirements and Notes: - Proficiency in Microsoft Office. - Education: undergraduate degree or equivalent in the fields of environmental science, marine science, oceanography, engineering or resource management. - Experience in working with researchers, law enforcement personnel, military personnel, and the FAA. - Demonstrated strong communication skills, written and verbal including the ability to speak in front of large groups of people. - Familiarity with record keeping (i.e. logs and manifests). - Familiarity with the ONMS Airborne Requirements Ten Year Plan. Questions concerning this notice shall be emailed to carina.nededog@noaa.gov. Responses shall be submitted via email or facsimile at 206-527-7752, labeled SOURCES SOUGHT, no later than 1700 Pacific Standard Time 06 Feb 2015. This notice is for informational and market research purposes only. Failure to submit all information requested may result in an unrestricted acquisition.