This announcement is a Sources Sought Notice (market survey). This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). This announcement is for information and planning purposes only and is not a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The purpose of this sources sought is to determine interested parties, socioeconomic status availability, and capabilities. The Government intends to use responses to this sources sought notice to make an appropriate acquisition decision for this project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), San Francisco District has a need for monitoring services onboard the Government owned dredging vessel Essayons during the upcoming dredging episode at Pinole Shoal Channel. Fish entrainment monitoring will be conducted to identify any potential hopper dredging effects on fish with particular interest in delta smelt and other small fish. Delta smelt are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) and as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Monitoring is expected to take place around June 2017. The contractor shall provide the services of four Biological Monitors including one lead fisheries biologist as described below; and three fisheries technician assistants as described below: Lead Fisheries Biologist The lead Fisheries Biologist will conduct a pre-monitoring threatened and endangered (T&E) fish species educational program and will oversee the fish entrainment monitoring operation. The lead Fisheries Biologist will be experienced in obtaining scientific collecting and Section 2081(a) permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and experienced in coordinating field studies that include sampling delta smelt. This lead Fisheries Biologist must also be considered a qualified delta smelt biologist by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Three Assistant Fisheries Technician Three assistant Fisheries Technicians will be onboard the Essayons and will be managed by the lead Fisheries Biologist in monitoring the dredge slurry for the presence of fish with particular interest in delta smelt. Monitoring will occur 24/7 (20 hours of monitoring every day plus 4 hours for recorded data input and identification) for the duration of active dredging. Due to uncertainty regarding sea conditions, the exact dredging dates during these months are currently unknown. The USACE will attempt to provide the contractor at least two weeks' notice regarding the schedule; however, the Biological Monitors will need to be on-call and personnel be able to board the Essayons within 24 hours of a request to begin monitoring. Room and Board will be provided onboard the Essayons for the duration of monitoring. The Lead Fisheries Biologist will prepare and conduct a pre-monitoring T&E fish species educational program for all persons working on board the Essayons, which includes at least two training events to accommodate all members of two different dredging crews. This educational program will include information regarding: 1. Biology and general behavior of T&E fish species that may be found in the area during the dredging period (e.g., FESA threatened/CESA endangered delta smelt; FESA threatened Central Valley steelhead) 2. Distribution and habitat requirements of special status species 3. Sensitivity of special status species to human activities 4. Listed species status under FESA and CESA including legal protection, recovery efforts, and project-specific protective measures 5. BMP dredging measures (e.g., priming within less than three feet of the channel bottom, doors on drag head to remain closed, move to another area, etc.) shall be maintained on the Essayons The starting and ending position for each hopper load will be plotted onto National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) nautical charts to provide a graphic depiction of the dredging locations. Threatened and Endangered Species Observation Protocol 1. If a suspected delta smelt or other FESA or CESA threatened or endangered species (e.g., Central Valley steelhead, Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon, longfin smelt) are entrained by the dredging arm or observed dead in the project area, the lead biologist shall first verify that the alleged fish is the species identified by the assistant biologists. 2. If verification is made, the lead biologist shall immediately inform the captain and the USACE Technical POC. 3. The lead biologist will also investigate to determine if any activity is out of compliance with minimization measures. 4. The situation will be evaluated by the lead biologist, Essayons' captain, and USACE Technical POC, which will determine whether any different or additional measure(s) are necessary to avoid or minimize any further entrainment. 5. An Incident Report will be prepared and submitted via email to the USACE Technical POC within 24 hours that documents the date, time, location, activity, special status species data, name of person collecting the data, names of persons notified of the special status species observation, photographs, and summary of the determination. The small business size standard for this NAICS Code is 541620 for Environmental Consulting Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS is $15 Million. The Government anticipates awarding One (1) Firm-Fixed Price - Services contract. The Period of Performance is anticipated to be June, July and August 2017. The estimated price range for this project is $50,000 to $150,000. Submission Requirements for Responses to this Sources Sought Notice 1. Point of Contact name, email address, and phone number. 2. CAGE Code and DUNS number if available. 3. In the event that the organization is a small business, state the category of small business, such as 8(a), HUBZone, Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, or SDVOSB. 4. Statement of Capability (SOC) - Send a statement demonstrating a. Skills, equipment, and personnel required to perform the specified type of services are available, or can become available if the contract is awarded. b. Recent and relevant experience in identifying delta and longfin smelt and other small fish species in San Francisco Bay. c. The lead Fisheries Biologist will be experienced in obtaining scientific collecting and Section 2081(a) permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and experienced in coordinating field studies that include sampling delta smelt. d. The lead Fisheries Biologist must also be considered a qualified delta smelt biologist by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Anticipated solicitation issuance date is on or around beginning of April 2017. At this time, a solicitation does not exist; therefore, offers shall not be accepted. An official synopsis citing the solicitation number will be issued on Federal Business Opportunities (www.fbo.gov) and inviting firms to register electronically to receive a copy of the solicitation when it is issued. Recent and relevant experience in fish entrainment within the last five (5) years. All interested contractors or potential offerors having the skills and capabilities necessary to perform the described services above should notify this office in writing by email or mail by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on March 15, 2017. Your response is limited to 10 single-sided pages total - using 10pt font. Send email responses with "W912P7-17-S-0004 Pinole Shoal Fish Entrainment Monitoring" in the subject line to: Erik.Meyer@usace.army.mil and Shirley.A.Turnbo@usace.army.mil. RESULTS INFORMATION: Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Firms responding to this sources sought announcement, who fail to provide ALL of the required information requested, will not be used to help the Government make the acquisition decision, which is the intent of this sources sought announcement.
