Marine Mammal Fishery Liaison

Marine Mammal Fishery Liaison This is a Sources Sought Notice. In preparation for an upcoming procurement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Norfolk, VA on behalf of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) is conducting market research to determine potential sources for providing Marine Mammal Fishery Liaison Support Services. The nature of the work to be performed is liaison services between the NMFS SERO, Protected Resources Division, and the commercial fishermen/fishing industry groups affected by the Plans (Section 1.1) within the southeast (North Carolina through Florida) and other areas outside the southeast and affected by the Plans as needed (e.g. Virginia). A draft Performance Work Statement is provided for informational purposes only. All businesses are encouraged to submit a brief, no more than six (6) pages, typed Capability Statement in response to this sources sought announcement. Firms that believe they have the capability to satisfy the requirements as described in this notice must provide detailed information concerning their capabilities. Standard brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this notice. Submitted Capability Statements shall include the following: (1) Company name and address (2) DUNS number (3) Type of business (e.g., large business, small business, 8(a), veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and/or women owned small business) as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM) (4) Company point of contact - name, phone, and e-mail address (5) Description of capabilities for meeting the following requirements: - Ability to facilitate two-way communication with both individual commercial fishermen and industry groups and working with them on compliance of the Plans' implementing regulations and related marine mammal bycatch issues. - Ability to characterize fisheries affected by the Plans ( Draft PWS Section 1.1) through direct knowledge and understanding of the affected commercial fishing field operations and fishing gear characteristics, specifically for gillnets, trap/pots, seines, stop nets, pelagic longlines, and pound nets. - Ability to regularly interpret to commercial fishermen/industry groups, the Plans (PWS Section 1.1) and their implementing regulations and compliance guides, and answering fishermen/industry's questions based on the key personnel's in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Plans. - Ability to establish communication network and meaningful relationships with both individual commercial fishermen and industry groups affected by the Plans (PWS Section 1.1) and specifically for those using gillnets, trap/pots, seines, stop nets, pelagic longlines, and pound nets. Interested sources shall submit an electronic copy of their Capability Statement Kristy Dixon, Contract Specialist, via email at Kristy.Dixon@noaa.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday July 9, 2019. This is not a request for technical or cost proposals. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Notice or reimburse for costs incurred by interested parties providing the information requested herein. Capability Statements will not be returned. Information received will be considered solely to make an informed decision regarding a potential procurement. Any questions or responses to this Sources Sought announcement shall be directed to Kristy Dixon via the email address above. Responses to the Sources Sought announcement are not offers and cannot be accepted by NOAA to form a binding contract.