Kawerak_SSJ_(signed).pdf

NFFS7500-19-01379

- Ability to conduct cultural awareness training that is site specific and customized for the Bering Strait region.

- Ability to recruit highly qualified educational personnel from the Bering Strait area.

- Connections and ability to recruit 2 camp participants from an underserved community within the Bering Strait region.

- Ability to develop and evaluate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM) curriculum.

- A venue for students to share their NOAA Science Camp experience and what they learned with Bering Strait communities.

- Program evaluation capabilities.

DELIVERABLES:

• By July 30, 2019, design and implement. with the AFSC Education Coordinator, a new hands on educational activity on Pacific cod that incorporates both western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to help students understand concepts about fish life history, abundance, migration and harvesting methods, and the effects of environmental conditions on the availability of fish.

• By July 30, 2019, bring two students from Bering Strait Region to NOAA Science Camp

• By September 30, 2019, provide Cultural Awareness Training to educators, scientists and host families (20-50 people total)

Refer to Statement of Work for additional details.

Type of action planned: Purchase order

Period of Performance: Date of Award - September 30, 2019

Estimated value of total award: $20,000

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Kawerak Inc.

P.O. Box 948 Nome, AK 99762

Point of contact:

Julie Raymond-Yakoubian, Kawerak Social Science Program Director 907-443-4273 juliery@kawerak.org

Dani Smithhisler, Accounting DSmithhisler@kawerak.org

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Source Selection Information - see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

X Other - Only one source is capable

In order to successfully implement this project, it is imperative that the AFSC contract with an organization that is locally based in the Bering Strait region with highly specialized skills and services.

We would not be able to implement this project without securing this local expertise.

While various organizations exist throughout Alaska that offer cultural awareness training, only one is based in Nome, AK. which is the hub for the 18 Alaska Native communities that border the northern Bering Sea or Bering Strait Region. Given the diversity and localization of Alaska Native cultures, values and traditional beliefs, it is critical that the Alaska Fisheries Science Center enlist the services of an Alaska Native organization based in Nome that is engrained in and knowledgeable of the local culture. Kawerak, Inc. has representation on its board from the surrounding Bering Strait communities (including Tribal Council Presidents or appointed delegates of the 20 federally recognized tribes, two Elder representatives and the chair of the Norton Sound Health Corporation Board). The Kawerak Katirvik Cultural Center has access to trained educators (either on staff or in partner organizations) who can provide training and can develop educational materials that incorporate the unique Indigenous knowledge and cultures of the Bering Strait region. This training will help to better prepare our researchers to successfully convey our research mission, foster an understanding of its purpose and build local support.

Kawerak also has the local connections necessary to recruit an experienced K-12 educator with expertise in local Traditional Ecological Knowledge, who can work with AFSC educators to create a hands-on activity based on AFSC's Pacific cod research that incorporates Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science. Kawerak's Bering Strait-area connections will also help the educator to recruit two Nome-area students to attend NOAA Science Camp as well as identifying local community organizations to support the students. Kawerak can also provide a venue for these students to share their experiences with Bering Strait communities.

5. Market Research.

We sought estimates from 5 potential service providers to help us implement this project. Only one fit all the need requirements - Kawerak Inc. With the exception of the Alaska Native Heritage Center which is quite a bit higher in terms of cost for conducting an in-person cultural awareness training, all the other service providers are fairly consistent in terms of pricing for cultural awareness training programs.

However, only Kawerak is locally-based in the Bering Strait region so they are knowledgeable about local customs, values and traditions with strong community contacts. Several of the programs only provide general education on cultural awareness/sensitivity, rather than Bering Strait-specific cultural training. Only Kawerak is able to offer a comprehensive package which includes all of the services needed to implement this project (i.e., collaboration with a locally-based educator to help develop, test and review a hands-on educational activity and identify two Alaska Native community students and funding support to attend NOAA Science Camp and the ability to provide a local venue for students to share their Science Camp experience with the community)

See attached Market Research document for details.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

3 of4

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government's minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

lJ!ri:./J?l Project Lead

3 L,�1,cr Date

7. Determination (Required)

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Insert name) Contracting Officer Date