B09_RFQ_140M0124Q0034_Amendment_0001_Q_A_0001.pdf

RFQ 140M0124Q0034- Port Infrastructure Needs of Commercial and Recreational Fisheries Along the U.S. West Coast

QUESTIONS FROM VENDORS

Will the budget be open to revision after the pilot study is completed and its efficacy evaluated?

The purpose of the pilot study is to evaluate the work product, detect and resolve problems, enhance efficiencies, and, if necessary, redirect effort so that study objectives are met. After the pilot study is completed, BOEM is open to discussions with the vendor to determine if certain expenses should be shifted among budget categories. At this time, BOEM does not anticipate increasing funding to this study.

Will BOEM/BSEE assist the contractor with obtaining fisheries data considered confidential under the "rule of three"?

BOEM does not anticipate that confidential fisheries data will be necessary to complete the scope of work. Contractors should focus on fisheries that form a meaningful component to each port’s economic profile.

The level of effort required to effectively implement the proposed Project across three states using the identified base methodology is not insubstantial. How would BOEM anticipate proceeding if proposed budgets are far greater than anticipated budget?

If the proposed budget exceeds the available funding BOEM has set aside for this research, the Contracting Officer will negotiate with the vendor to obtain a scope of work compatible with study objectives and available budget. Vendor should include enough information to facilitate these negotiations, if necessary.

The RFQ states that “The methods used by California Sea Grant researchers in their investigation of ‘Commercial Fisheries of the Santa Barbara Channel and Associated Infrastructure Needs’ are transferable and appropriate for this study (Culver et al. 2007) but should be modified and/or expanded to meet the study objectives” (underlined format added). It is BOEM’s viewpoint that if the contractor modifies the Culver et al. 2007 methodology, the vendor should only include those methods that are needed to meet the overarching study objective, which is “to document existing port infrastructure and services that serve the commercial and recreational fishing communities along the U. S. West Coast so that future activities related to offshore energy can avoid, minimize, or offset potential space-use conflicts and enhance space-use synergies among port-based industries (especially commercial fishing) when interacting with the offshore energy industry.” BOEM further notes that the solicitation states in 2.3.4.4. Task 6: Synthesize Information “One goal of this Project is to produce products that will be useful for Coastal Zone Management Act determinations and certifications. For example, the California Coastal Act states that “the economic, commercial, and recreational importance of fishing activities shall be recognized and protected, and that facilities serving the commercial fishing and recreational boating industries shall be protected, and where feasible, upgraded” (CA Pub Res Code § 30234).”

The contractor may propose a stratified approach with different levels of effort for ports surveyed, where ports that are more likely to be affected by offshore energy activities, either directly or indirectly due to the connectivity of fisheries, receive greater attention.

The RFQ identifies and recommends the Culver et al (2007) methodology, which included a survey interview (primarily administered in person) with a mix of open- and close-ended questions. As this is a contract with a federal entity, would survey protocols be required to go through OMB review?

BOEM encourages the contractor to propose methodologies that do not require OMB review (e.g. guided discussions).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dampening effect on social science field research using participant and direct observation (e.g., port visits) and interview-intensive approaches.

Will allowances be made for similar projects performed prior to the specified three-year period to be considered for meeting this RFQ provision?

BOEM does not anticipate that restrictions that were once in place from the COVID-19 pandemic to affect the methodology or timeline needed to meet the objectives of this study.

Therefore, BOEM does not anticipate that such allowances will be needed or made for this RFQ.

The PWS (Task 4) is to engage stakeholders to gather information. The PWS states that this will be done in coordination with BOEM. What format is intended to be used for the stakeholder engagements – in-person meetings, workshop, surveys, etc.; combination of several?

BOEM will rely on the contractor to determine the most efficient and cost-effective methods to collect this information. BOEM encourages the contractor to propose methodologies that do not require OMB review (e.g. guided discussions).

The PWS directs us to refer to Norman et al. (2007) for all ports of interest. Can you please provide a list of the West Coast ports to prioritize and include in our study?

The Table of Contents in Norman et al. (2007) provides a list of notable fishing ports in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. The contractor shall determine which ports shall be necessary to include in the proposal based upon the overarching objective of this solicitation. If appropriate, the contractor may propose a stratified approach with different levels of effort for ports surveyed, where ports that are more likely to be affected by offshore energy activities, either directly or indirectly due to the connectivity of fisheries, receive greater attention.

Can you please provide more information on which fisheries on the West Coast to prioritize and include in our study?

The contractor should focus on fisheries that form a meaningful component to the economic profile of each port included in the study.

The PWS (Task 5) is to conduct site visits to ports.

<note: It is unclear what the question is.>

The PWS (Task 6) states that a Pilot Study outline needs to be prepared. Is the Contractor to implement the Pilot Study as well? As part of the Pilot Study are the “up to four ports” determined by Contractor or selected by BOEM?

The contractor shall implement the Pilot Study as described in Section 2.3.4. Research Plan and Associated Tasks. The contractor shall determine which and how many ports shall be included in the Pilot Study.

Can we please ask for an extension on the proposal due date?

An extension to the RFQ has been allowed in this Q&A to extend the closing date/time to June 24th at 2:00pm ET (6/24/2024 @ 1400 ET)