Sea Turtle Stranding Surveys

Synopsis: Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0047 Project Title: Stranding Surveys at the Principal Nesting Beaches of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle in Tamaulipas, Mexico The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR), Delegated Procurement Authority intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Valley Zoological Society, Brownsville, Texas, to complete Stranding Surveys at the Principal Nesting Beaches of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The required work scope and deliverables will ensure that accurate location and detailed stranding data are collected, and digital photographs taken, for each documented stranding and Enhance knowledge of mortality factors operating on the population through thorough documentation and reporting of results, including necropsy data as practicable. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services with a business size standard of $19.5 million. Sole Source Justification The Kemp's Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA requires NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to develop and implement a recovery plan for the species, which resulted in the creation of a Bi-National Recovery Plan for the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle that lists site-specific management actions to monitor and reduce or remove threats, as required under Section 4 of the ESA. Because approximately 90% of total Kemp's ridley nesting occurs along an 80-milestretch of coast in Tamaulipas, Mexico, many of the management actions listed in the bi-national recovery plan focus on the Tamaulipas coast and underscore in particular the need to understand, monitor, and reduce Kemp's ridley bycatch in fisheries that occurs adjacent to primary nesting beaches. The Valley Zoological Society has unique capabilities to carry out the objectives of this work, which addresses key actions identified in the recovery plan. These unique capabilities include: a deep understanding of Kemp's ridley biology and ecology; mastery of stranding survey techniques and data collection protocols tailored for Kemp's ridleys; long-standing relationships of trust with local communities along the Tamaulipas coastline that facilitate safe and successful implementation of stranding surveys; and effective and transparent budget management for activities carried out in Mexico where a culture of corruption is common. Valley Zoological Society has operated day to day activities of the bi-national program to protect the Kemp's ridley nesting beach along the Tamaulipas coast of Mexico, in conjunction with Mexico's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (INAPESCA), since 1989. Valley Zoological Society is the only known vendor with experience operating sea turtle monitoring camps in close coordination and collaboration with Tamaulipas state authorities. Valley Zoological Society has overseen the establishment of the camps, expansion and improvements at the camps, and has directed stranding survey activities. Additionally, the geographic location of the Zoo, which is situated in Brownsville, Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border, greatly facilitates the operation of this bi-national program. The proximity to Mexico enhances the efficiency and cost effectiveness of transporting personnel and equipment to the survey areas in Tamaulipas, Mexico. No other organizations are situated in a geographic location capable of achieving the objectives of this project. It is necessary to use Valley Zoological Society to ensure continuity and comparability with current and previous results, and to build upon work previously required by NMFS. If the contract is not awarded to Valley Zoological Society, NMFS would be negatively impacted by damage to data quality through changes to the established standardized methods and long-running systematic monitoring that ensures comparability of data across years. Additionally, NMFS would face increased spending on project activities, as Valley Zoological Society provides the project with infrastructure (e.g., camps), vehicles, and materials that it has acquired over the last 20 years, which would otherwise need to be purchased. Finally, given that stranding surveys provide essential information on mortality factors that are used to inform threat reduction, not awarding this contract to Valley Zoological Society would create uncertainties regarding how to most effectively protect this highly endangered species. The aforementioned negative impacts would compromise NMFS ability to implement the management actions listed in the ESA-mandated recovery plan. Special Notice This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities. However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to natasha.thieman@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EDT on July 22, 2024. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: 3015MF24Q0047 Project Title: Stranding Surveys at the Principal Nesting Beaches of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle in Tamaulipas, Mexico It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein. Offerors are highly encouraged to contact the Government representative(s) specified above prior to the synopsis stated time and date for receipt of offers to ensure the Government has received the submission. Information received after the date and time specified in this solicitation may be excluded from consideration. DOC/NOAA/NMFS requires that all contractors doing business with this agency be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). Awards cannot be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. A UEI may be acquired free of charge by registering at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration or by telephone at (866) 606-8220. The notice will remain open from 7/5/2024 through 7/22/2024.