NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center Observer Program

This Request of Information/Sources Sought is for Planning Purposes. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the Request for Information (RFI)/Sources sought notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. This request is issued for the purpose of exchanging information to improve the understanding of industry capabilities, thereby allowing potential offerors to judge whether or how they can satisfy the Government's requirements, and enhancing the Government's ability to obtain services, at a reasonable cost/price, and increase efficiency in proposal preparation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, and contract award. The Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norfolk, VA is soliciting information, on behalf of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for Observer Support Services. BACKGROUND NOAA Fisheries is the federal agency responsible for the management, regulatory compliance, economic data and protection of living marine resources within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. NMFS also plays a supportive and advisory role in the management of living marine resources in coastal areas under state jurisdiction. It provides scientific and policy leadership in the international arena, and implements international conservation and management measures as appropriate. NMFS has an extensive program to monitor and observe living marine resources and associated communities to provide information on biota, their habitats, and the human activities and actions that may impact coastal and ocean ecosystems. Data are the foundation of scientific advice, which provides information to management to support decision-making. A more consistent flow of high quality, credible information is required to improve decision-making. To collect the quantity and quality of data necessary, NMFS intends to improve its capacity to conduct surveys and to conduct research and studies for a better understanding of ecosystems. These efforts rely on extensive collaboration with fisheries participants and other stakeholders in the living marine resource decision process. Observers are the only independent data source for some types of at-sea information such as bycatch composition and mortality, and marine mammal, sea bird and sea turtle interactions. Although vessel self-reporting is often utilized, only limited data collection demands can reasonably be placed on the captain and crew. In addition, the reliability of self-reported information is a concern for scientists and policy makers who use the data to make fishery management decisions for the purpose of maintaining the nation's marine resources. Currently, more than 1,040 observers are deployed in 31 observer programs, most of which are administered through six (6) regional NMFS Fisheries Science Centers (FSC). The NMFS observer programs are typically authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The SEFSC currently conducts observer programs in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, with over 70 observers deployed in the programs. Specific observer programs include the following: - Southeast Shrimp Trawl Observer Program - Year round program to collect observer data in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico on shrimp otter trawls (including rock shrimp fisheries), skimmer trawls, and other fixed gear. - Atlantic Pelagic Longline Observer Program (including enhanced Bluefin tuna coverage) - Year round program to collect observer data in the Northwestern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic longline fisheries. - Southeast Shark and Coastal Gillnet Observer Program - Year round program to collect observer data on Southeast shark and coastal teleost gillnet fisheries. - Southeast Shark Bottom Longline Observer Program - Year round program to collect observer data on South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico directed large coastal shark bottom longline fisheries. - Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Observer Program - Year round program to collect observer data on all fishing gears targeting reef fish. - Gulf of Mexico Menhaden Observer Program - Conducted from April through November to collect observer data on menhaden fisheries (voluntary). - Platform Removal Observer Program (PROP) - Year round program to protect sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater explosives used to remove oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS is required to collect scientific, management, regulatory compliance, and economic data for fisheries by placing observers aboard U.S. domestic fishing vessels. This data cannot be obtained at the dock or on Government research vessels. The data is needed for the management of fisheries occurring in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas beyond the EEZ. NOAA is seeking a Contractor to provide and retain the necessary qualified personnel, material, equipment, services, and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform quality environmental, biological, and fisheries operations data collection, data analysis, and information dissemination for the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). Data quality is of the utmost importance. Quality data collection, analysis, and dissemination are expected to increase the critical information gathered for stock assessments to manage the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean species as well as protect sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater explosives used in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. The DOC/NOAA is seeking the following information: The Government requests capability statements from all businesses who qualify under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Company size status for the NAICS Code stated above (small business concern per 13 CFR, educational institution, federal, local or state entity, commercial entity, nonprofit organization, etc.); and socio-economic status for NAICS Code stated above (i.e., 8(a), hubzone, small disadvantaged business, service-disabled/veteran owned, women owned, etc.). The Contractor should also state if they currently hold a General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). Note: Responses to this RFI are due no later than October 25, 2017 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern. Responses shall be sent via e-mail to Julia Callahan, Contract Specialist, at julia.callahan@noaa.gov. The electronic copy of your response must be in ".pdf format" and readable by the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Questions pertaining to this notice may be emailed to julia.callahan@noaa.gov. NO TELEPHONE RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Government will not reimburse Contractors for any expenses associated with responses to this RFI, though the Government sincerely appreciates Contractor's efforts and input. No federal funds have been implemented to fund any initiative discussed in this RFI. In submitting a response, you are solely responsible and accountable for all of the expenses associated with your response.