R -- General Information - Social Impact Assessment Services

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation number DG133F-06-RQ-0381 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. This is a Small Business Set-Aside. The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) Office of Sustainable Fisheries is interested in acquiring Scientific and Technical support services for assisting with the process of amending and consolidating the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) (See the following Statement of Work). The period of performance for this requirement is expected to be one year and the budgeted amount is $40,000. 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 18, 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 government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation. 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: SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SERVICES***** BACKGROUND: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires, among other things, that all FMPs include a fishery impact statement intended to assess, specify, and describe the likely effects of the measures on fishermen and fishing communities. The National Environmental Policy Act also requires Federal agencies to consider the interactions of natural and human environments by using a - systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will ensure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences...in planning and decision-making. Moreover, agencies need to address the aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health effects, which may be direct, indirect, or cumulative. Consideration of social impacts is a growing concern as fisheries experience increased participation and/or declines in stocks. The consequences of management actions need to be examined to better ascertain and, if necessary and possible, mitigate regulatory impacts on affected constituents. NOAA/NMFS (2001) guidelines for social impact assessments specify that the following elements are utilized in the development of FMPs and amendments: 1. The size and demographic characteristics of the fishery-related work force residing in the area; these determine demographic, income, and employment effects in relation to the work force as a whole, by community and region. 2. The cultural issues of attitudes, beliefs, and values of fishermen, fishery-related workers, other stakeholders, and their communities. 3. The effects of proposed actions on social structure and organization; that is, on the ability to provide necessary social support and services to families and communities. 4. The non-economic social aspects of the proposed action or policy; these include lifestyle issues, health and safety issues, and the non-consumptive and recreational use of living marine resources and their habitats. 5. The historical dependence on and participation in the fishery by fishermen and communities, reflected in the structure of fishing practices, income distribution and rights. OBJECTIVES: The Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1) is in the process of amending and consolidating its FMPs. F/SF1 needs current profiles for communities dependent upon the highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries. SCOPE OF WORK: PART I: A. Review existing HMS community profile materials and identify gaps in existing profiles; identify which communities are dependent upon the HMS fisheries and should be profiled B. Review other NMFS Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and identify previously developed community profiles that overlap with HMS fisheries C. Conduct a general literature review of SIAs and analyses that may pertain to HMS communities PART II: Create profiles of HMS communities as needed based on the NOAA/NMFS (2001) guidelines for social impact assessments. DELIVERABLES: PART I: A. A list of HMS communities that need to be profiled and an explanation of the criteria used to select those communities. B. A list with sources of available community profiles C. A report on recent research regarding HMS communities in sociological and anthropological fields PART II: HMS Community Profile Report as identified in Part I and as deemed necessary by SF1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The effort is estimated to be full time for one year.