Sol_1333MF24Q0116.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

Advancing Density Surface Model Tools for Cetacean Management in the Pacific Islands

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number 1333MF24Q0116.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05 (May 2024).

(iv) This solicitation is being issued as a total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 541990. The small business size standard is B524.

(v) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services:

CLIN 0001 – Base Period Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for Advancing Density Surface Model Tools for Cetacean Management in the Pacific Islands in accordance with the Statement of Work. Period of Performance 9/1/2024 through 8/31/2025.

CLIN 1001 – Optional Task 1 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the new modeling framework and model validation and its use on a case-study species in the central Pacific, in accordance with the Statement of Work. Period of Performance 9/1/2024 through 8/31/2025.

CLIN 1002 – Optional Task 2 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the application of the new modeling framework to other central Pacific species, in accordance with the Statement of Work. Period of Performance 9/1/2024 through 8/31/2025.

CLIN 1003 – Optional Task 3 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in collaborative work for one week, in-person, at the NOAA facility in Honolulu, HI, in accordance with the Statement of Work. Period of Performance 9/1/2024 through 8/31/2025.

(vi) Description of requirements is as follows:

See attached Statement of Work which applies to Base Year and all Optional Tasks 1-3.

(vii) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance:

Period of performance shall be:

Base Year for a twelve month period from 9/1/24 through 8/31/25.

Optional Task 1 from 9/1/24 through 8/31/25.

Optional Task 2 from 9/1/24 through 8/31/25.

Optional Task 3 from 9/1/24 through 8/31/25

Place of Performance is other than a government facility.

(viii) FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sept 2023), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment.

(ix) FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment.

(x) FAR provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment. Offerors are advised to include a completed copy of the provision with its offer.

(xi) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023), applies to this acquisition and can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment.

(xii) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024), applies to this acquisition and can be found in full text on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment.

(xiii) Any additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions that apply can be found on the Request for Quote form SF18 attachment.

(xiv) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating does not apply.

(xv) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 5:00PM EST on 8/16/2024.

All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to Stephanie.Fisher@noaa.gov.

(xvi) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted electronically via email to Stephanie.Fisher@noaa.gov.

1352.215-72 Inquiries (Apr 2010)

OFFERORS MUST SUBMIT ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION IN WRITING

VIA EMAIL TO Stephanie.Fisher@noaa.gov. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 5:00PM EST on 8/7/2024. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023) NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

1. Submit quote on the attached SF-18 Form and any required supporting documentation on PDF or Microsoft Word format to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are required and can be sent to Stephanie.Fisher@noaa.gov.

2. Offeror shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM found at https://sam.gov/content/home) in order to provide a quote and be eligible for award. Must provide their UEID/CAGE CODE with their quote.

3. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of them or their capability.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_4 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_5 https://sam.gov/content/home

4. Offerors must provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with FAR 52.212-2. Offerors who do not provide all evaluation criteria will not be accepted.

Evaluation will be based on the following:

1. Technical Approach and Capability.

The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of employees, anticipated hours at the facility and/or confirmation of supplies being provided, etc.)

2. Past Performance.

Quote shall include at least two references from at least two separate contracts for similar and relevant services including the name, phone number, full address, and e-mail address of the reference to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to successfully perform the services listed in the Statement of Work.

The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services.

Offerors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance.

Price.

The Government will evaluate the price quote for completeness and reasonableness in relation to the RFQ requirements. Quoted prices must be entirely compatible with the Non-Price Technical Solution.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF

QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A

CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT.

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a).

The evaluation will consider the Non-Price Technical Solution (Technical Approach and Past Performance) to be significantly more important than price. However, as quotes are determined to be more equal in the non-price evaluation factor, price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for award. If, at any stage of the evaluation, all vendors are determined to have submitted equal, or virtually equal, Non-Price Technical Solutions, price could become the factor in determining which vendor will receive the award.

The Government intends to evaluate the quotes and award a purchase order based on the Offeror’s initial quote; therefore, the Offeror’s initial quote should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a Non-Price Technical Solution and price standpoint.

The Government reserves the right not to award a purchase order depending on the quality of the quote(s) submitted and the availability of funds. Furthermore, the Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities or omissions in quotes received.

The Government may make award to other than the lowest-priced Offeror or the Offeror with the highest technical rating if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to achieve only slightly superior performance capability.

(a) The Government will award a contract 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.

Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Evaluation will be based on the following:

3. Technical Approach and Capability.

The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of

4. Past Performance.

relevant services including the name, phone number, full address, and e-mail address of the reference to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to successfully perform the services listed in the Statement of Work.

The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services.

Offerors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance.

5. Price.

The Government will evaluate the price quote for completeness and reasonableness in relation to the RFQ requirements. Quoted prices must be entirely compatible with the Non-Price Technical Solution.

The Government intends to award a trade-off, single firm fixed-price purchase order on an all or none basis with payment terms of Net 30.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

1333MF24Q0116

1. REQUEST NO.

5a. ISSUED BY

NAME

a. NAME

c. STREET ADDRESS

d. CITY

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO

THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON

OR BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (Date)

2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT. DEF.

UNDER BDSA REG. 2

AND/OR DMS REG.1

RATING

6. DELIVERY BY (Date)

7. DELIVERY

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

b. STREET ADDRESS

PAGE OF PAGES

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL: (No collect calls)

TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER

8. TO:

b. COMPANY

e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

c. CITY

d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

THIS RFQ

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDEX

08/02/2024 143071-24-0079

1 60

601 EAST 12TH STREET SUITE 1746

KANSAS CITY MO 64106

NMFS Field Delegates Multiple

NMFS PIFSC OPRTN MGMT/INFO DIV

F/PIC1 NAT'L MARINE FISH SVC

1845 WASP BLVD, BLDG 176

HONOLULU

HI 96818-5007

808 725-5633STEPHANIE FISHER

08/16/2024 1700 ED

FOB DESTINATION

OTHER

(See Schedule)X

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

Period of Performance: 09/01/2024 to 08/31/2025

0001 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for Advancing Density Surface Model Tools for Cetacean Management in the Pacific Islands in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Product/Service Code: B529

1001 Optional Task 1 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the development of a peer-reviewed publication or Continued ...

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. COUNTY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

SIGN QUOTATION

16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print)

c. TITLE (Type or print)

a. NAME OF QUOTER

AREA CODE

NUMBER

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

b. TELEPHONE are are not attached

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable

STANDARD FORM 18 (REV. 6-95)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 60

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

1333MF24Q0116

report on the new modeling framework and model validation and its use on a case-study species in the central Pacific, in accordance with the

Statement of Work.

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

1002 Optional Task 2

Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the application of the new modeling framework to other central Pacific species, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

1003 Optional Task 3

Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in collaborative work for one week, in-person, at the NOAA facility in Honolulu, HI, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

1333MF24Q0116 BASE

Section II - Supplies or Services and Price/Costs Section III - Description/Specifications Section IX - Contract Clauses

Section II - Supplies or Services and Price/Costs

CLIN List

Item Number Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for Advancing Density Surface Model Tools for Cetacean Management in the Pacific Islands in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Award Type: Firm-fixed-price Product/Service Code: B529 Requisition No: 143071-24-0079

Optional Task 1 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the new modeling framework and model validation and its use on a case-study species in the central Pacific, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Award Type: Firm-fixed-price

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

Optional Task 2 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in the application of the new modeling framework to other central Pacific species, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Award Type: Firm-fixed-price

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

Optional Task 3 Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to participate in

Item Number Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount collaborative work for one week, in-person, at the NOAA facility in Honolulu, HI, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Award Type: Firm-fixed-price

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: B524

Section III - Description/Specifications

Statement of Work SOW

Advancing Density Surface Model Tools for Cetacean Management in the Pacific Islands

Background/Overview:

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) uses density surface models (DSMs) as a primary input to population assessments for several cetacean species in the central and western Pacific. DSMs include dynamic habitat associations that increase the precision of resulting abundance estimates and allow finer-scale examination of distribution and density patterns across the modeled area. PIFSC has existing developed DSMs and model formulations which are hard-coded to address species-specific nuances or data intricacies, such that the resulting code is not in a form that can be readily shared with collaborators or other interested parties. Further, some older functions have not been maintained in recent releases of the programming language (R), and the handling of spatial data sets in R has advanced substantially, prompting interest in updating the coding framework. Because current DSM formulations for cetaceans in the central Pacific are not in a reproducible state, efforts to provide timely information for management decisions may be delayed. Given the importance and promise of DSMs to inform management needs, PIFSC is updating the modeling code and framework to be consistent with current releases of R and its handling of spatial datasets and be more generalizable to incoming datasets for a variety of species.

PIFSC seeks an experienced contractor familiar with both the DSM approach and emerging model uncertainty and validation methods, including their implementation in R, to provide guidance and expertise in producing an updated and reproducible DSM structure for cetaceans in the Central Pacific.

Objectives:

This project aims to reformulate the current central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM structure in R using upgraded spatial functionality and accessing updated modeled oceanographic products. This reformulation includes integration of new spatially-explicit methods for propagating model uncertainty and exploration and integration of new model validation approaches, especially for data limited species.

Spatially-explicit DSMs for cetaceans have become a powerful assessment and management tool enabling examination of distribution and density at various scales within the modeled area. For species of urgent management importance, such as Hawai¿i pelagic false killer whales, the modeled density surface will serve to immediately inform assessment and management requirements. Updated density models for other central Pacific cetacean stocks will also begin to inform assessments of climate impacts through evaluation of changes in stock distribution with changing environmental conditions.

Scope of Work:

PIFSC is using a team-based approach to develop an updated Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM structure that will leverage the substantial contributions of the density modeling community inside and outside of NMFS and also address species- and context-specific nuances inherent in tools and products intended to serve a specific management purpose. The contractor will serve as a member of the team working through the reformulation of the DSM framework and integration of new model uncertainty and validation approaches.

Reformulation of the DSM framework: The current central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM code relies on a previous version of R, including packages that are no longer supported. Further, the treatment of spatial datasets within R has recently been overhauled by a large and evolving suite of spatial analysis packages using the simple features set of standards for spatial data. The existing model code will be rewritten to be compatible with recent releases of R and updated modeled oceanographic products and include thorough documentation of the model code and its evolution as the supporting functions are developed.

Integrating model uncertainty: Previous central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM products did not include all sources of model uncertainty, providing only variance in habitat covariates. To estimate uncertainty across all density parameters, the delta method was often employed, combining variance estimates for each parameter. This approach may underestimate total variance, potentially leading to inflated values of minimum population size when calculating PBR for stock assessments. Recent advances in estimating uncertainty in modeled density products integrate the most substantial sources of uncertainty, including those in group size, detection function, and trackline detectability parameters, ensuring spatially-explicit estimates of uncertainty around density estimates. This approach seeks to include as many sources of uncertainty as possible into the model covariance matrix and samples from the posterior distribution of the model parameters to compute multiple corresponding model predictions. The variation in these predictions represents the uncertainty in the full model, providing the uncertainty in each model component and estimating covariance between components where possible. This project seeks to adapt and integrate these new methods in the updated formulation of the central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM framework.

Integrating model validation: The current central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM framework does not include quantitative model cross-validation due to the lack of sufficient sightings data to segment the data as required for many traditional approaches. The resulting DSMs may need to extrapolate density predictions to regions with little survey coverage, raising concerns about the validity of predictions in those spaces. A number of new tools have been developed to examine covariate relationships and provide a measure of model validation. Covariate distance and neighborhood metrics will be incorporated into the updated formulation of the central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM framework to ensure extrapolated predictions remain within reasonable bounds.

Requirements:

The contractor must have experience in the following:

¿ Developing cetacean DSMs for the central Pacific, including Hawai¿i ¿ Using ship-based line-transect data collected for cetacean groups and subgroups in DSM development ¿ Executing DSMs in the R programming language ¿ Incorporating model uncertainty and validation into DSM development ¿ Ability to create a DSM framework in a collaborative environment, with feedback and collaboration during the development process

Additional preferred qualifications for the contractor:

¿ Working with ship-based line-transect data collected using WinCruz (DAS format) ¿ Familiarity with design-based line-transect analyses that occur in tandem with DSM efforts

Tasks:

The contracted analyst will provide guidance and expertise in reformulating the central Pacific/Hawai¿i cetacean DSM framework, including integration of new model uncertainty and validation approaches.

This assistance will require a thorough knowledge of the current model structure, design choices, and lessons learned from previous efforts.

The key project tasks are listed below. The contractor will assist PIFSC staff with each task, with the precise division of labor between the contractor and PIFSC staff based on expertise, interest, and availability.

¿ Assist in interpretation of existing central Pacific DSM modeling framework and associated R code and provide support in development of new code to execute the model within current releases of R and its supported spatial functions ¿ Participate in evaluation and exploration of new or previously unexplored habitat covariates that may provide additional explanatory power to density models ¿ Assist with adaptation of the current model formulation to integrate the methods of Miller et al.

(2022)[1]1 and other advances to provide spatially-explicit measures of uncertainty in modeled density, inclusive of all density parameters ¿ Assist in exploration and implementation of model validation approaches that may be employed with the available data ¿ Provide all code and products in a GitHub repository accessible by all project team members and, at the completion of the project, by the public

Optional Tasks

1. Participate in development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the new modeling framework and model validation and its use on a case-study species in the central Pacific

2. Participate in application of the new modeling framework to other central Pacific species

3. Participate in collaborative work for one week, in-person, at the NOAA facility in Honolulu, HI.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this project is planned for 09/01/2024 - 8/31/2025, with option tasks during the base period. The performance period is expected to begin no more than 10 business days from the date of award.

Place of Performance:

Work will be conducted at other than the government facility (i.e., off-site)

Government-Furnished Property (GFP):

No GFP will be provided to the contractor for use during the performance of the contract.

Security Requirements:

There are no unique security requirements associated with the performance of the contract.

Applicable Standards:

The standards for DSM development of marine species put forward by the DenMod project, including estimating uncertainty (Miller et al. 2022), should be adhered to when fulfilling the contract requirements.

Deliverables Schedule:

Due Date Deliverable Activities 12/31/2024 Assist in reformulating DSM modeling framework for the central Pacific using updated https://denmod.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ spatial functionality. Co-authored R code modifications are pushed to the project Github repository.

3/31/2025 Participate in evaluation and exploration of habitat covariates that may provide additional explanatory power to density models. Exploration of habitat covariates documented in the GitHub repository.

06/30/2025 Co-author R code that adapts the current model formulation to integrate advances to provide spatially-explicit measures of uncertainty in modeled density. Exploration and implementation of model validation approaches documented in the GitHub repository.

08/31/2025 At the completion of the project, all contributed code and products in the GitHub repository are made accessible to the public.

08/31/2025 Option task 1: Co-author report on application of the DSM framework to the case study species.

08/31/2025 Option task 2: Participate in application of the new modeling framework to other central Pacific species, documenting species tested.

08/31/2025 Option task 3: Attend one in-person meeting for one week in Honolulu, HI. Meeting may occur at any time during the project period, but the first opportunity would be during the first quarter of the effort.

Intellectual Property Rights

All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All source code, documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this Task Order.

[1] Miller, D. L., Becker, E. A., Forney, K. A., Roberts, J. J., Cañadas, A., & Schick, R. S. (2022). Estimating uncertainty in density surface models. PeerJ 10:e13950.

file:///P:/PROCUREMENT%20(Master)/1.%20PURCHASE%20ORDERS/FY%202024/143071-24-0079_PSD%20Density%20Surface%20Model%20Tools_SSF/SOW_SF%20Edits_2024.08.02.docx%23_ftnref1 https://peerj.com/articles/13950/ https://peerj.com/articles/13950/

Section IX - Contract Clauses

Clauses Incorporated by Reference Clause Number Clause Title

52.204-7 System for Award Management. (OCT 2018)

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018)

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting.

(AUG 2020)

52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror. (AUG 2020)

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance.

(AUG 2020)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2023)

1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority. (MAR 2010) 1352.209-73 Compliance with the laws. (APR 2010) 1352.209-74 Organizational conflict of interest. (APR 2010)

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-

Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to-

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to-

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services."

(d) Representations. The Offeror represents that-

(1) It [ ] will, [ ] will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds "will" in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that-

It [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds "does" in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Disclosures. (1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "will" in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment-

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services-

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "does" in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment-

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services-

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.204-29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures.

(DEC 2023)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, Covered article, FASCSA order, Intelligence community, National security system, Reasonable inquiry, Sensitive compartmented information, Sensitive compartmented information system, and Source have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition.

(b) Prohibition. Contractors are prohibited from providing or using as part of the performance of the contract any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the prohibition is set out in an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) order, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition.

(c) Procedures. (1) The Offeror shall search for the phrase "FASCSA order" in the System for Award Management (SAM)(https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable FASCSA order described in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders- Prohibition.

(2) The Offeror shall review the solicitation for any FASCSA orders that are not in SAM, but are effective and do apply to the solicitation and resultant contract (see FAR 4.2303(c)(2)).

(3) FASCSA orders issued after the date of solicitation do not apply unless added by an amendment to the solicitation.

(d) Representation. By submission of this offer, the offeror represents that it has conducted a reasonable inquiry, and that the offeror does not propose to provide or use in response to this solicitation any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order in effect on the date the solicitation was issued, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (e).

(e) Disclosures. The purpose for this disclosure is so the Government may decide whether to issue a waiver. For any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is subject to an applicable FASCSA order, and the Offeror is unable to represent compliance, then the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(1) Name of the product or service provided to the Government;

(2) Name of the covered article or source subject to a FASCSA order;

(3) If applicable, name of the vendor, including the Commercial and Government Entity code and unique entity identifier (if known), that supplied the covered article or the product or service to the Offeror;

(4) Brand;

(5) Model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number);

(6) Item description;

(7) Reason why the applicable covered article or the product or service is being provided or used;

(f) Executive agency review of disclosures. The contracting officer will review disclosures provided in paragraph (e) to determine if any waiver may be sought. A contracting officer may choose not to pursue a waiver for covered articles or sources otherwise subject to a FASCSA order and may instead make an award to an offeror that does not require a waiver.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)

NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive.

Offers that are non-responsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.

1. Submit quote on the attached SF-18 Form and any required supporting documentation on PDF or Microsoft Word format to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are required and can be sent to Stephanie.Fisher@noaa.gov.

2. Offeror shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM found at https://sam.gov/content/home) in order to provide a quote and be eligible for award. Must provide their UEID/CAGE CODE with their quote.

https://sam.gov/content/home

3. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of them or their capability.

4. Offerors must provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with FAR 52.212-2. Offerors who do not provide all evaluation criteria will not be accepted.

Evaluation will be based on the following:

1. Technical Approach and Capability.

The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of relevant services including the name, phone number, full address, and e-mail address of the reference to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to successfully perform the services listed in the Statement of Work.

The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on responsiveness, quality, and customer services.

Offerors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance.

3. Price.

The Government will evaluate the price quote for completeness and reasonableness in relation to the RFQ requirements. Quoted prices must be entirely compatible with the Non-Price Technical Solution.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE

CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE

RECEIPT.

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2021)

Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a).

The evaluation will consider the Non-Price Technical Solution (Technical Approach and Past Performance) to be significantly more important than price. However, as quotes are determined to be more equal in the non-price evaluation factor, price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for award. If, at any stage of the evaluation, all vendors are determined to have submitted equal, or virtually equal, Non-Price Technical Solutions, price could become the factor in determining which vendor will receive the award.

The Government intends to evaluate the quotes and award a purchase order based on the Offeror’s initial quote; therefore, the Offeror’s initial quote should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a Non- Price Technical Solution and price standpoint.

The Government reserves the right not to award a purchase order depending on the quality of the quote(s) submitted and the availability of funds. Furthermore, the Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities or omissions in quotes received.

The Government may make award to other than the lowest-priced Offeror or the Offeror with the highest technical rating if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to achieve only slightly superior performance capability.

(a) The Government will award a contract 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.

Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Evaluation will be based on the following:

1. Technical Approach and Capability.

The Offeror’s overall technical approach will be evaluated to assess the Government's level of confidence in the Offeror’s understanding of, approach to, and ability to successfully perform the requirements as described in the Statement of Work. Provide a detailed description of the company’s experience performing similar services. A detailed technical approach write-up describing how the Offeror will perform this service is required to be submitted with the quote regardless of whether a site visit was made or not. The technical approach write-up must not be a reiteration of the Statement of Work, but how your company plans on performing the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. (i.e. performance checklists, anticipated number of relevant services including the name, phone number, full address, and e-mail address of the reference to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to successfully perform the services listed in the Statement of Work.

The Offeror's past performance on related contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction. The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the Offeror, the agency’s knowledge of Offeror performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and will be based on…