R -- Evaluation of Climate Forecast Applications Research in Africa

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation number DG133R-06-RQ-0299 and is this announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The NAICS Code is 541690. The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Climate Program Office is interested in acquiring technical support services for the evaluation of climate forecast applications research in Africa (see the following Statement of Work). The period of performance for this requirement is expected to be one year and the budgeted amount is $53,000. The evaluation for award will be made on a best value basis. The evaluation factors, listed in order of importance are approach, past performance, and price. The quote shall include an approach; how the work will be performed and managed, and a firm fixed price. The evaluation factors are approach, past performance, and price. All responsible sources may respond to this solicitation by submitting a quotation that is no longer than 15 pages, addressed to Sandy Shaffner, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC4, Suite 7144, to be received no later than Noon, April 4, 2006. Responses can also be faxed to (301) 713-0806 or e-mailed to sandra.shaffner@noaa.gov. The resulting purchase order shall be awarded on a firm fixed price basis. The applicable terms and conditions for the resulting purchase order are current through FAC 2005-07 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.acqnet.gov/far. ...............Statement of Work:............... Evaluation of Climate Forecast Applications Research in Africa..... Background: From the mid 90's to date, NOAA and a range of partners, such as USAID-OFDA, and, in collaboration with the International Research Institute (IRI) for Climate Prediction, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the National Center for Environmental Prediction, Climate Prediction Centre (NCEP/CPC), have supported climate forecast applications research in developing regions, such as those mentioned earlier. The purpose of the research was two fold: 1) to build the capacity of developing regions forecasters to produce better skilled forecasts, and 2) to build the capacity of users and intermediaries of seasonal forecast information to effectively apply seasonal forecast information. Many of the findings of the research are available but in many different reports and formats. While most of the research has been conducted in Africa, NOAA requires the expertise needed to gather together and report on, the opportunities and limitations of climate forecast use in these developing regions..... Tasks: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requires assistance in learning from findings of a decade long climate applications research study in developing regions of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the South east Asia and the South Pacific. The contractor will, therefore, use the African Region as a test-bed to evaluate NOAA's supported climate forecast applications research in the developing regions..... The evaluation will address the following issues/questions: 1) What have been the uses of climate forecast information in specific sectors such as agriculture, water, human health coastal and disaster management?.... 2) What are the current capacities of the information producers, intermediaries and users in the Africa?.... 3) What systems of forecast communications do exist in the region?.... 4) Which of the systems have worked?.... The evaluation will also carry out an analysis of the RANET (Radio and Internet for Communication of Hydro-meteorological and Climate Related Information)..... The RANET evaluation will focus on the following questions: 1) Is the technology appropriate? 2) Is RANET delivering the right type of information? 3) Is the RANET a sustainable intervention for communicating climate information in Africa? 4) Are decision makers using the RANET information to change decisions?.... Deliverable: The Contractor will provide NOAA a report that will be highly accessible to NOAA policy makers that will contain recommendations for improving NOAA and partners climate service program performance in Africa. An important element of the report will be costs and benefits analysis of climate forecast development and communication..... Period of Performance: The study would take place over 12 month period.