TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CARIBBEAN MARINE PROTECTED AREA MANAGERS NETWORK AND FORUM

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Parts 12 and 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number NCND10001103433 is issued as a request for proposal. The applicable North American Industry Code System code is 541611 and size standard $7.0. The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) intends to contract with Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute to provide technical assistance services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) in support of the Caribbean Marine Protected Area Managers Network and Forum (CaMPAM). The main focus of these services will be to continue to provide coordination support for CaMPAM, and to support the CaMPAM network goals to enhance the capacity of Caribbean MPA managers by fostering communication, sharing and exchanges, enhancing the use of available resources and seeking new opportunities and funding sources. The Contractor requirements are detailed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW) titled, - Technical Assistance to the Caribbean Marine Protected Area Managers Network and Forum'. This is a multi-year requirement commencing upon the date of award for twelve months for the Base Period followed by two option periods to complete tasks as required through FY13. The resulting purchase order shall be awarded on a best value basis and will be firm fixed price. Best value evaluation factors include the following: 1) Technical Approach - The likelihood of effectively meeting the requirements; 2) Past Performance - The relevance and quality of prior performance; and 3) Price - The amount, realism and consistency of the evaluated price. The evaluation shall be based on use of the adjectival scheme as follows: Outstanding (O) - Conspicuously striking in eminence; Good (G) - Beneficial and worthwhile; sound and valid; Adequate (A) - Reasonably sufficient and suitable; Marginal (M) - Minimally suitable at the lower limit. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.arnet.gov/far. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial, FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items - The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certificates - Commercial Item, FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items. FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor, FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, FAR.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, FAR 52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees, FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons, FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases, FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration, FAR 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards. All interested responsible sources may respond to this solicitation by submitting a proposal addressed to the contract specialist at shirley.l.johnson@noaa.gov no later than 12 Noon (EST) Friday, September 2, 2011. Hard copy may be delivered to NOAA, Acquisitions and Grants Office, 1305 East-West Highway, SSMC-2, Sta. 11124, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Proposals shall be no longer than 30 pages, single sided printing, black ink on 8 ' x 11' white bond paper, 10 pitch Word format, single line spacing. No attachments, spiral binding or bonded documents will be accepted. The Government reserves the right to make one award or no award at all as a result of this solicitation.