Request for Competitve Proposals-Sea Duck Joint Venture Special Studies and Analysis

2010 Sea Duck Joint Venture Request for ProposalsFWS # 70181-9- R163 This is a request for proposals prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 15.203 (e)(1) through (e)-(9), and supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. A twin posting of this request for proposal FWS # 70181-9- R163 is simultaneously being announced on http://www.fedbizopps.gov and at www.seaduckjv.org. A full text of this solicitation announcement is being posted on the following website: www.seaduckjv.org which includes proposal submission guidelines, proposal evaluation criteria and weights for each evaluation area, a synopsis of FAR Provisions and Clauses that will be included in the resultant contract awards, Government points of contact, and other pertinent information. It is estimated that multiple contract awards will result from this solicitation announcement. The solicitation number for this request is 70181-9- R163 and the solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the current Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC 05-32) and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The NAISC classification code for this solicitation is: 541710, and Product Service Code is: B516 The small business size standard is 500 employees and $12M. Vendors seeking additional information on this solicitation must contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service Contracting Officer, Christie VandenDries, at phone +1 (555) 000-0000, fax: +1 (555) 000-0000, or email: contact@example.gov. Key Date: Proposal deadline is 11:59pm Alaska time (UTC -8) September 28, 2009 Overview InformationFederal Agency Name: Alaska Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Opportunity Title: Sea Duck Joint Venture ProgramAnnouncement Type: This is an annual request for proposals from the Sea Duck Joint Venture Full Text of AnnouncementI. Funding Opportunity DescriptionThe Sea Duck Joint Venture (SDJV) is a partnership-based conservation program under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan that promotes the conservation of sea ducks by providing greater knowledge for effective management. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a partner in the SDJV, administers grants, purchase orders, and contracts on a competitive basis for projects/studies that advance both our and the general scientific community's understanding of sea duck biology and ecology and is seeking proposals from interested parties. The SDJV is receptive to funding annual projects as well as a limited number of multi-year (up to 3 years) projects. Successful multi-year projects will be funded in 1-year increments, subject to annual review, demonstration of suitable progress, and funds availability. After 3 years of consecutive funding, those projects may reapply and compete for SDJV funds in one-year increments only and they will be re-evaluated based on their continued merit. Note: Multi-year projects have special reporting requirements that must be addressed in both the proposal and in annual summary reports. For example, in the proposal, submitters need to clearly define the results that will be attained annually and at the conclusion of the project (e.g., sample sizes, progress of analyses, reports and publications); in the annual summary report, the researcher must address their progress toward meeting annual and overall objectives. Because multi-year projects commit SDJV funds for extended periods and thus limit the number of other projects which can be funded in subsequent years, they must ensure a good return on investment. Projects with proven methodology and a high likelihood of success will likely score higher than projects with untested methodology and high risk factors (unsecured funding, weather dependent, etc.). To be competitive for funding, proposals should provide at least a 1:1 match for SDJV funds. Currently the only source of general funding is U.S. Congress-appropriated funds directed to USFWS for SDJV use -- we are expected to demonstrate effective leveraging of these funds, preferably with non-U.S.-federal resources. Examples of Recently Funded Projects: -Spring Migration of Surf Scoters Along the Pacific Coast: Important Habitats and Energetic Implications-Identification of Beaufort Sea Migration Corridor for Sea Ducks-Breeding areas, migration routes, staging, molting, and local movements associated with both Surf and White-winged Scoters wintering in the inner marine waters of Washington State-The Effect of Hunting and Avian Cholera on the St. Lawrence Estuary Common Eiders- Inorganic Contaminant Concentrations and Body Condition of Common Goldeneye Wintering on the Great Salt Lake, Utah-Molt ecology of White-winged Scoters in the St. Lawrence estuary-Temporal and Geographic Distribution of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Common Eider-The value of herring spawn vs. alternative prey to Surf and White-winged Scoters in the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin-Molting Ecology of Surf and White-winged Scoters in Southeast Alaska-Diet of Surf Scoters Molting in Eastern North America-Distribution of Sea Ducks in Southeast Alaska: Geographic Patterns and Relationships to Coastal Habitats(see http://seaduckjv.org/fund/sdjvfundedstudies09.pdf for additional funded projects) II. Award InformationIn FY2009, SDJV received 25 proposals requesting a total of $582,000 and awarded about $376,000 to 14 projects. The median level of funding was $23,000 (range $10,000 to $39,000). Most projects funded by SDJV are one-year projects, although multi-year projects have been funded, and will be considered in this funding cycle as well. Interest in the SDJV is growing rapidly and we anticipate both an increase in the number of funding requests and a decrease in available funds in FY09. The SDJV encourages modest funding requests. Previous award winners are eligible and previously funded projects are eligible to compete for supplemental funding with applications for new awards (see section I, above). Awards will be issued via contracts and purchase orders, based on a Service analysis of the nature of each selected project in light of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15.3. Acquisition instruments will be administered in accordance with FAR Parts 42 through 51, under the appropriate clauses of FAR Part 52, which will include a portion or all of the following clauses, dependant upon the total dollar threshold of the contract or purchase order selected for award: Each contract or purchase order awarded shall incorporate one or more of the following clauses, by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acqnet.gov/far http://www.doi.gov/pam: 52.246-04 Inspection Of Services-Fixed Price August 1996144805.16 Delivery Requirements May 1997144805.23 Period Of Performance May 199752.242-15 Stop-Work Order August 1898144805.05 Invoice Requirements May 1997144805.06 Contract Administration May 1997144805.08 Appointment of Contracting Officer's Technical Representative May 1997D1452.204-70 Release of Claims-Department of the Interior(Jul 96) July 1996D1452.215-70 Examination of Records by the Department of the Interior April 1984D1452.228-70 Liability Insurance-Department of the Interior (Jul 96) July 199652.202-01 Definitions July 200452.203-05 Covent Against Contingent Fees April 198452.203-06 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government July 199552.203-07 Anti-Kickback Procedures July 199552.203-08 Cancellation, Recession, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal or Improper Activity January 199752.203-10 Price of Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity January 199752.203-12 Limitation on payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions September 200552.204-07 Central Contractors Registration October 200352.209-06 Protecting the Governments Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred Suspended or Proposed for Debarment January 200552.215-02 Audit and Records-negotiation June 199952.215-08 Order of Precedence-Uniform Contract Format October 199752.219-08 Utilization of Small Business Concerns May 200452.222-03 Convict Labor June 200352.222-04 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act-Overtime Compensation July 200552.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities February 199952.222-26 Equal Opportunity April 200252.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and other Eligible Veterans December 200152.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities June 199852.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of Vietnam Era, and other Eligible Veterans December 200152.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965, as Amended July 200552.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires May 198952.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act-price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contract) May 198952.223-06 Drug Free Workplace May 200152.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases February 200652.227-01 Authorization and Consent July 199552.227-02 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copy Infringement August 199652.227-14 Rights in Data-General June 198752.229-03 Federal, State, and Local Taxes April 200352.232-01 Payments April 198452.232-08 Discounts for Prompt Payment February 200252.232-09 Limitation on Withdrawing of payment April 198452.232-11 Extras April 198452.232-16 Progress Payments April 200352.232-17 Interest June 199652.232-23 Assignment of Claims January 198652.232-25 Prompt Payment October 200352.232-33 Payment by electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration October 200352.233-01 Disputes July 200252.233-03 Protest After Award August 199652.242-13 Bankruptcy July 199552.243-04, ALT I Changes-Fixed Price (Aug 1987)-Alternate I April 198452.246-20 Warranty of Services May 200152.246-25 Limitation of Liability-Services February 199752.249-04 Termination for Convenience of the Government(Services)(Short form) April 198452.249-08 Default(Fixed Price Supply and Service) April 198452.253-01 Computer Generated Forms January 199152.217-02 Cancellation under Multiyear Contracts October 199752.217-09 Option to extend the Term of The Contract March 200052.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year April 198452.252-06 Authorized Deviations In Clauses April 1984144805-14 Attachments May 1997 III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants: Applications are encouraged from nonprofit organizations, public and private educational organizations, federal, state, local, and tribal governments and organizations, foreign governments, and individual companies. Cost Sharing or Matching: To be competitive for funding, proposals should provide at least a 1:1 match for SDJV funds. The match contribution may include cash or in-kind costs directly associated with the proposed work (also see #14 under Proposal Format, below). Proposals with less than a 1:1 match will be considered, but will be ranked lower than comparable projects with a full match. Additionally, proposals citing a match contribution which has its origin from other US Government Federal awards will be ranked lower than proposals citing a match funded through non-federal (i.e. not originally US Government in origin) funds. Research versus Management Proposals:The SDJV will not accept proposals for sea duck monitoring studies through this Request for Proposals. In this case, we define monitoring as a study or survey with a primary objective of estimating population size or tracking population trends. There will be a separate RFP for monitoring studies issued at a later date. IV. Application and Submission Information Address to submit proposals electronically: Tim BowmanSea Duck Joint Venture CoordinatorUS Fish and Wildlife Service1011 East Tudor RdAnchorage, Alaska 99503-6619Phone: (907) 786-3569Email: contact@example.gov Copy to: Christie VandenDriesContracting Officer1011 East Tudor Rd, MS 171Anchorage, AK 99503-6619Phone (907) 786-3415Fax: (907) 786-3923Email: contact@example.gov All instructions for proposal submittal are included in this document. Additional copies of this document may be found at http://www.fedbizopps.gov by searching solicitation number 70181-9- R163, as well as its full text at http://seaduckjv.org. Information on the Sea Duck Joint Venture can be downloaded at http://seaduckjv.org. Hard copies of application materials can be requested from the agency contacts listed in Section IV of this document. Please see the attachment to this notice for a full text of the solicitation or visit: http://seaduckjv.org.