NOTICE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. The information provided in response to this notice will assist the Government in determining the extent of the small business and socio-economic market for the type of work described herein. The intent of the announcement is to identify sources that are qualified small business concerns capable of furnishing the National Marine Fisheries Service Center (NMFSC) with 1) advance at-sea fishery data collection capabilities through the design and development of a new catch data entry system comprising graphical user interface software and new Oracle relational database elements to be incorporated into an existing data collection and archival system; 2) integrate newly developed software and database elements into the existing Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division (FRAMD) data collection system both through design strategy and the modification/upgrade of current companion data collection software and database components; and, 3) incorporate user requirements through design, implementation, and testing meetings and provide user support for deploying, trouble-shooting, and debugging newly developed software tools. All of the FRAMD software development has been coded in C++ using Microsoft's Dot Net development package. Through ongoing maintenance, most of the current Fisheries Scientific Computer System (FSCS) data collection system has been migrated to Dot Net technology as well. The at-sea data collection system is fully coded and operational; only fundamental software maintenance and upgrades for increased data visualization, processing, and integration with database platforms are undertaken periodically. The following capabilities and experience/expertise are required Contractor skills: 1) It is essential that the Contractor provide expert design, development, and testing skills to task requirements. To this end, Contractor experience must be sufficient to assist with system evaluation and component design, including the posing and assessment of alternatives. More specifically, the Contractor must be skilled in the design and development of software applications involving both data entry and relational database archival. Required contractor skills include software development using C++ under Microsoft's Dot Net development system; relational database design, development, and implementation; and the coding of SQL-based interactions (preferably Oracle). It is also highly desirable for the Contractor to have experience developing Oracle packaged procedures using the PL/SQL coding language and knowledge of the Oracle Apex interactive application development tool. 2) Currently, all elements of the data collection system have been developed under Microsoft Windows XP. Current experience with this operating system is required. 3) Most of the current data collection system has been developed in C++ within Microsoft's Dot Net application development system. Knowledge of this development environment is required to ensure sensible integration of new software functionality into the current data collection system, assessing potential upgrade options for this system, and for implementing modifications deriving from this assessment. 4) The current FRAMD data collection system relies on two Oracle database systems for the organization and management of collected data, an onboard data staging database and a central, shore-side database. The proposed catch data collection software application is required to include an Oracle database backend as well. Consequently, contractor experience with SQL-based relational database systems (preferably Oracle) is critical to the proposed software development. In addition, knowledge of Oracle's PL/SQL programming language is highly desirable, so that required functionality can be coded for optimum operation in terms of data quality and ease of use. 5) The most suitable software development environment will be selected during the early stages of this project. It is likely that both Microsoft and Oracle application development environments will be considered. Consequently, contractor knowledge of both the Microsoft Dot Net and Oracle's Apex application development packages is highly desirable as a basis for participating in the evaluation and implementation of the ultimate selection. 6) FRAMD onboard data collection is automated by a variety of electronic fish measuring equipment. Experience with data collection systems that include electronic data feeds is highly desired. 7) User involvement in requirements specification, application testing, and system trouble-shooting is fundamental to this development project. The Contractor must be experienced in synthesizing requirements emanating from group efforts and working effectively in team trouble-shooting endeavors. Also, the Contractor will support users through brief tutorials and meetings to guide user development of operating procedures and procedure documentation. Period of performance is from date of award through 14 months. The place of performance is Seattle, Washington. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541511 with a size standard of $25 million. All contractors doing business with the Government are now required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). In addition, completion of the online representation and certifications application (ORCA) is required. NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded on the basis of responses received to this notice. All interested parties must respond to this announcement by June 4, 2009. Documentation to support the contractor's capability, education and experience must be in writing and include the contractor's name, address, point of contact, telephone number, DUNS Number, CCR Cage Number, business type and size, i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, etc.; and a brief narrative regarding its capability to provide the services as described above. Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review each response to determine if the contractor has the experience, knowledge, and capability to perform the services as specified above. Detailed information must be submitted by email to the address noted below by 1:00 PM local Seattle time (PDT), June 4, 2009. Email Address:
contact@example.gov. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE HONORED.
