Sol_1333MF26Q0077.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

Description: Refining seasonal cetacean density models and Hawaiian monk seal assessment workflows to support management of marine mammals in the Pacific Islands

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 1333MF26Q0077 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ), for refining seasonal cetacean density models and Hawaiian monk seal assessment workflows to support management of marine mammals in the Pacific Islands

This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 541990. The small business size standard is $19.5 million.

The Government intends to award a trade-off, single award firm fixed-price purchase order with payment terms of Net 30.

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

(ii) A list of line-item number(s) and items, quantities, and units of measure (including option(s), if applicable).

(Service) CLIN 0001 – Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary to perform refining seasonal cetacean density models to support management of cetaceans in the Pacific Islands.

(iii) Description of requirements.

See the solicitation document for the full Statement of Work.

Period of performance:

October 1, 2026 (or date of award) – September 30, 2027.

(v) A list of solicitation provisions that apply to the acquisition (see 12.205(a) can be found on the Request for Quote Form SF18.

(vi) A list of contract clauses that apply to the acquisition (see 12.205(b)) can be found on the Request for Quote Form SF18 form.

(vii) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 2:00 P.M. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST) August 31, 2026. All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to Contracting Officer: Stephanie Garnett @ stephanie.m.garnett@noaa.gov.

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.

(viii) Any other additional information required by 5.101(c).

Per NOAA Deviation 2025-02/03: System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations. Contracting officers will not consider those representations when making award decisions or enforce requirements. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3.AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

9. ISSUED BY

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

CODE

15. DELIVER TO 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

TELEPHONE NUMBER

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED

REQUEST

FOR QUOTE

(RFQ)

INVITATION

FOR BID

(IFB)

REQUEST

FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR

NORTH AMERICAN

INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

STANDARD (NAICS):

SIZE STANDARD:

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

THE DEFENSE PRIORITIES

AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

SET ASIDE: % FOR:

11. DELIVERY FOR FREE ON

BOARD (FOB) DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4.

FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED.

8(A)

ECONOMICALLY

DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS

NOTE: OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, AND 30.

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH

AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND

ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SPECIFIED

DATED.

OFFER

ADDENDA

ADDENDA

1333MF26Q0077

NMFS PIFSC OPRTN MGMT/INFO DIV

F/PIC1 NAT'L MARINE FISH SVC

1845 WASP BLVD, BLDG 176

HONOLULU HI 96818-5007

NMFS Field Delegates

601 EAST 12TH STREET SUITE 1746

KANSAS CITY MO 64106

08/31/2026 1400 HT

See Schedule

STEPHANIE GARNETT

NMFS-FD 100.00

STEPHANIE GARNETT

541990

$19.5

08/19/2026

FT710031

Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 to

09/30/2027

0001 Statistical Modeler in Accordance with the

Statement of Work

Continued...

STOCK RECORD (S/R)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE RECEIVED (MM/DD/YYYY) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

40. PAID BY

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. EMAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

PARTIAL FINAL

37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

ACCEPTED,

Product/Service Code: B524

Requisition No: 143071-26-0057

1333MF26Q0077 BASE

Section 2 - Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Section 3 - Line Items and Attachments Section 4 - Contract Terms and Conditions Section 6 - Instructions to Offerors Section 7 - Evaluation

Section 2 - Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Statement of Work SOW

Refining Seasonal Cetacean Density Models and Hawaiian Monk Seal Assessment Workflows to Support Management of Marine Mammals 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 previously invested in development of DSMs, including a recent effort to modernize the coding of the central Pacific/Hawaii DSM framework, integrate new methods for estimating uncertainty in modeled density products, and incorporate measures of model validation. This updated DSM framework was first applied to pelagic false killer whales in the central Pacific (Gardner et al. in review) and, more recently, to a number of cetacean species within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaiian Islands EEZ; Barkley et al. in prep). However, additional survey data are available following a winter survey of the main Hawaiian Islands, and more work is needed to evaluate seasonal differences in model-based density estimates for cetacean stocks with available data. These model outputs are necessary to fulfill stock assessment reporting requirements in a timely manner, as well as to support BOEM marine minerals permitting and assessment and authorization of Navy testing and training operations in the central and western Pacific.

PIFSC also uses a variety of primary inputs to population assessments of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal within the Hawaiian Archipelago, including surveys to obtain beach counts, identify individuals, and collect information about reproduction and factors affecting survival. Survey data are primarily housed in the SPA (Seal Population Application) database; however, additional data only exist in external spreadsheets and on paper forms. Standard analyses of these data, typically performed annually, include estimation of range-wide abundance and trends, population age/sex structure, pup production, reproductive rates, survival, weaning condition of pups, and various life table analyses such as age-specific reproductive value (Harting et al. 2007). These standard analyses were developed over many years, but the underlying code and workflow have not been fully modernized and transitioned into a reproducible format, limiting the ability to provide updated information needed for population assessments and recovery actions. Dedicated effort is needed to update data management and analysis workflows to increase their efficiency, accessibility, and reproducibility.

PIFSC seeks two positions: 1) a skilled statistical modeler familiar with the current DSM approach, including recent improvements, to provide guidance and expertise in producing seasonal density estimates for cetacean stocks with available data following the Winter Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (WHICEAS) of 2026, and 2) a skilled analyst familiar with the current Hawaiian monk seal data management system and analysis approach to provide guidance and expertise in revising the assessment workflows for this endangered species.

Objectives:

With assistance from the contracted cetacean analyst, this procurement aims to apply the reformulated central Pacific/Hawai¿i DSM framework to relevant cetacean species using NOAA Fisheries ship-based line-transect sighting data through WHICEAS 2026. Based on initial efforts and previous seasonal DSM analyses (e.g., Becker et al. 2022), this work will allow for the density estimation of at least 9 cetacean species within the Hawaiian Islands EEZ. With assistance from the contracted monk seal analyst, this procurement aims to update and document the data management and analysis workflows. This work will allow for range-wide population abundance and trend estimation, last conducted in 2024, but needed to evaluate potential recovery actions.

Spatially-explicit DSMs for cetaceans are a powerful assessment and management tool, enabling the examination of distribution and density at various spatial and temporal scales within the modeled area.

The resulting estimates smooth across the variation in cetacean encounter rate typical of the central Pacific and are considered more robust and preferable than design-based estimates for inclusion in cetacean stock assessment reports (SARs) mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

DSM estimates from this project will be incorporated into the SARs of the respective cetacean stocks and used to support sustainable fisheries and energy development in the Hawaiian Islands EEZ. Likewise, range-wide Hawaiian monk seal abundance estimates and other population and life-history parameters are included in SARs mandated by the MMPA and used for recovery planning under the Endangered Species Act.

Scope of Work:

The contracted cetacean statistical modeler will provide expertise on the following aspects of the seasonal DSM estimation: processing survey data, downloading environmental data, estimating input line-transect parameters, fitting and validating the DSM models, predicting seasonal abundance within the Hawaiian Islands EEZ, and assessing uncertainty in the estimates. The contracted monk seal analyst will provide expertise on the following aspects of the Hawaiian monk seal data management and analysis workflows: data collection protocols, survey data processing, data accessibility and management, and population analysis methodologies.

Requirements:

The cetacean contractor must have experience in the following:

-Developing seasonal cetacean DSMs for the central Pacific, including Hawaii -Using ship-based line-transect data collected for cetacean groups in DSM development -Executing DSMs in the R programming language -Incorporating recent advances in 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 cetacean 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

The monk seal contractor must have experience in the following:

-Hawaiian monk seal data collection protocols and methodology -Processing annual Hawaiian monk seal data from a variety of survey methods -Accessing Hawaiian monk seal data and preparing it for advanced population analyses -Programming in SAS, which is currently used in monk seal data management, and transitioning code from SAS to R -Ability to refine assessment workflows in a collaborative environment, with feedback and collaboration during the development process

Additional preferred qualifications for the monk seal contractor:

-Working with ASCII or text data -Familiarity with ACCESS databases and database design

Tasks:

The contracted cetacean analyst will assist with applying the reformulated DSM framework to relevant cetacean species using sighting data through WHICEAS 2026. This assistance will require thorough knowledge of the updated model structure, cetacean habitat relationships, and lessons learned from previous efforts. The contracted monk analyst will assist with updating data management and analysis workflows using data through the 2026 field season. This assistance will require thorough knowledge of the existing data collection, management, and analysis approaches.

The cetacean contractor will:

-Assist with evaluation of sighting data to determine complete list of cetacean species for density estimation -Assist with processing survey data for the suite of stock-specific DSM applications -Assist with downloading and processing environmental data for the study area and period -Travel to Honolulu for one in-person collaborative workweek (five days) -Assist with estimating input line-transect parameters (i.e., g(0) and ESW), fitting and validating the DSM model, predicting seasonal abundance within the Hawaiian Islands EEZ, and assessing uncertainty in the resulting estimate for each species -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 -Participate in development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the collective seasonal DSM estimates for cetacean species in the Hawaiian Islands

The monk seal contractor will:

-Assist with processing and summarizing the 2026 Hawaiian monk seal survey data -Assist with loading monk seal translocation and other high priority data into the SPA database and testing the results -Assist with efforts to update and document the data management and analysis workflows, including transitioning SAS code to R -Travel to Honolulu for one in-person collaborative workweek (five days) -Assist with standard population assessment analyses to determine range-wide population estimates and trends -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 -Participate in the development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the range-wide status of the Hawaiian monk seal population using updated assessment workflow

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this procurement is planned for 10/01/2026 - 09/30/2027 and is expected to begin no more than 10 business days from the date of award.

Place of Performance:

The work will take place at the successful vendor’s facility.

Government-Furnished Property (GFP):

No GFP will be provided to the cetacean contractor for use during the performance of the contract because relevant data are publicly available in a GitHub repository. The monk seal contractor will be provided a government furnished laptop, NOAA email address, and NOAA network access to access and process internal data.

S ecurity Requirements:

The cetacean contractor will not need access to government IT infrastructure during the performance of this purchase order. The monk seal contractor will be provided a government furnished laptop, NOAA email address, and NOAA network access to access and process internal data.

Applicable Standards:

The standards for DSM development of marine species put forward by thehttps://denmod.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/DenMod project, including estimating uncertainty (Miller et al. 2022), should be adhered to when fulfilling the cetacean contract requirements.

Cetacean Contractor Deliverables Schedule:

Due Date Deliverable Activities

12/31/2026

Assist with evaluation of sighting data to determine complete list of cetacean species for density estimation Assist with processing survey data for the suite of stock-specific DSM applications Assist with downloading and processing environmental data for the study area and period Travel to Honolulu for one in-person collaborative workweek (five days)

03/31/2027

Assist with estimating input line-transect parameters (i.e., g(0) and ESW), fitting and validating the DSM model, predicting seasonal abundance within the Hawaiian Islands EEZ, and assessing uncertainty in the resulting estimate for each species

06/30/2027 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

09/30/2027 Participate in development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the collective DSM estimates for cetacean species in the Hawaiian Islands

Monk Seal Contractor Deliverables Schedule:

Due Date Deliverable Activities

01/31/2027 Assist with processing and summarizing the 2026 Hawaiian monk seal survey data Assist with loading monk seal translocation and other high priority data into the SPA database and testing the results

05/31/2027 Assist with efforts to update and document the data management and analysis workflows, including transitioning SAS code to R Travel to Honolulu for one in-person collaborative workweek (five days)

07/31/2027

Assist with standard population assessment analyses to determine range-wide population estimates and trends 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

09/30/2027 Participate in the development of a peer-reviewed publication or report on the https://denmod.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ https://denmod.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ range-wide status of the Hawaiian monk seal population using updated assessment workflows

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.

Deliverable Due Date/First Instance Due Recurring

Section 3 - Line Items and Attachments

List of Line Items

Item Number Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Statistical Modeler in Accordance with the Statement of Work Product/Service Code: B524

List of Attachments

Attachment Number Title

Section 4 - Contract Terms and Conditions

RFO 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights. (NOV 2023)

RFO 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements.

(JAN 2017)

RFO 52.204-7 System for Award Management-Registration. (NOV 2024) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.204-13 System for Award Management-Maintenance. (OCT 2018) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting With Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded. (JAN 2025) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations. (NOV 2015) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2023) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside. (NOV 2020) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. (OCT 2022) (Deviation JAN 2026)

(a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside.

(b) Definition. Similarly situated entity, as used in this clause, means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that-

(1) Has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award (e.g., for a small business set-aside contract, any small business concern, without regard to its socioeconomic status); and

(2) Is considered small for the size standard under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract.

(c) Applicability. This clause applies only to-

(1) Contracts that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3);

(2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3);

(3) Contracts that have been awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with sections 19.105, 19.106, 19.107, and 19.108;

(4) Orders expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and that are set aside for small business concerns under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.4 and 16.5;

(5) Orders, regardless of dollar value, that are set aside in accordance with sections 19.105, 19.106, 19.107, and 19.108 under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.4 and 16.5; and

(6) Contracts using the HUBZone price evaluation preference to award to a HUBZone small business concern unless the concern waived the evaluation preference.

(d) Independent contractors. An independent contractor shall be considered a subcontractor.

(e) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for-

(1) Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract;

(2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract;

(3) General construction, it will not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 85 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded; or

(4) Construction by special trade contractors, it will not pay more than 75 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 75 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.

(f) The Contractor shall comply with the limitations on subcontracting as follows:

(1) For contracts, in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1), (2), (3) and (6) of this clause-

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

[ ] By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or

[ ] By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

(2) For orders, in accordance with paragraphs (c)(4) and (5) of this clause, by the end of the performance period for the order.

(g) A joint venture agrees that, in the performance of the contract, the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (e) of this clause will be performed by the aggregate of the joint venture participants.

(1) In a joint venture comprised of a small business protégé and its mentor approved by the Small Business Administration, the small business protégé shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture. Work performed by the small business protégé in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions.

(2) In an 8(a) joint venture, the 8(a) participant(s) shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture. Work performed by the 8(a) participants in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.222-3 Convict Labor. (JUN 2003)

RFO 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies. (JAN 2025) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities. (JUN 2020) (Deviation JAN 2026)

FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards. (AUG 2018)

RFO 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons. (OCT 2025) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies To Ban Text Messaging While Driving. (MAY 2024)

RFO 52.232-18 Availability of Funds. (APR 1984)

RFO 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management. (OCT 2018)

RFO 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (MAR 2023)

RFO 52.233-3 Protest after Award. (AUG 1996) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim. (OCT 2004) (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications. (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions. (Deviation JAN 2026)

RFO 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (OCT 2025) (DEVIATION April 2026)

CAR 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority. (MAR 2010)

CAR 1352.209-73 Compliance with the laws. (APR 2010)

CAR 1352.209-74 Organizational conflict of interest. (APR 2010)

Standard Language UTILIZATION OF FEDCONNECT FOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

The Department of Commerce will utilize the FedConnect® web portal in administering this award. The contractor must be registered in FedConnect® and have access to the FedConnect® website located at https://www.fedconnect.net/Fedconnect/. For assistance in registering or for other FedConnect® questions please call the FedConnect® Help Desk at (800) 899-6665 or email at support@fedconnect.net. There is no charge for registration in or use of FedConnect®.

RFO 52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors ((DEVIATION April 2026))

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause-

Program participation means membership or participation in, or access or admission to:

training, mentoring, or leadership development programs; educational opportunities; clubs;

associations; or similar opportunities that are sponsored or established by the contractor or subcontractor.

Racially discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities means disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in the recruitment, employment (e.g., hiring, promotions), contracting (e.g., vendor agreements), program participation, or allocation or deployment of an entity's resources.

(b) In connection with the performance of work under this contract, the Contractor agrees as follows:

(1) The Contractor will not engage in any racially discriminatory DEI activities;

(2) The Contractor will furnish all information and reports, including providing access to books, records, and accounts, as required by the Contracting Officer, for purposes of ascertaining compliance with this clause;

(3) In the event of the Contractor's or a subcontractor's noncompliance with this clause, this contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part, and the Contractor or subcontractor may be declared ineligible for further Government contracts;

(4) The Contractor will report any subcontractor's known or reasonably knowable conduct that may violate this clause to the Contracting Officer and take any appropriate remedial actions directed by the Contracting Officer; and

(5) The Contractor will inform the Contracting Officer if a subcontractor sues the Contractor and the suit puts at issue, in any way, the validity of this clause.

(6) The Contractor recognizes that compliance with the requirements of this clause are material to the Government's payment decisions for purposes of 31 U.S.C. 3729(b)(4).

(c) The Contractor must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts at any tier, including those for commercial products and commercial services, except those where the place of delivery or performance is outside the United States.

(End of clause)

RFO 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

(End of clause)

RFO 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses. (NOV 2020)

(a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter

1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of (DEVIATION) after the date of the clause.

(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any (b) Commerce Acquisition Regulation 48 CFR 1352 (48 CFR [ ]) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of (DEVIATION) after the name of the regulation.

(End of clause)

CAR 1352.246-70 Place of acceptance. (APR 2010)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.

(b) The place of acceptance will be:

NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC

1845 WASP BOULEVARD, B-176

HONOLULU, HI 96821

(End of clause)

NOAA Acquisition Manual 1330-52.222-70 NOAA SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT

PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICY (MAY 2018)

In accordance with NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 202-1106, NOAA Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy, it is the policy of NOAA to maintain a work environment free from sexual assault and sexual harassment. NOAA prohibits sexual assault and sexual harassment by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, contractor, vendor, affiliate, or other individual with whom NOAA employees come into contact by the virtue of their work for NOAA.

(a) Definitions.

Contractor Employees - The term “contractor employees,” as used in this solicitation and contract language, refers to employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members.

Sexual Assault - The term sexual assault, as used in this solicitation and contract language, means any conduct proscribed by state or federal sexual abuse laws, including, but not limited to, those defined in chapter 109A of title 18 of the U.S. Code (sexual abuse), and assaults committed both by offenders who are strangers to the victim and by offenders who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim.

Sexual Harassment - As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following are true:

● Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of an individual's employment;

● Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual;

● The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

The main characteristics of sexual harassment are that the harasser's conduct is targeted against the recipient’s sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and is unwelcome to the recipient. It may include, but is not limited to: offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, undue attention, physical assaults or threats, unwelcome touching or contact, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, constant or unwelcome questions about an individual's identity, and offensive objects or pictures.

(b) Requirements.

1. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that contractor employees maintain the highest degree of conduct and standards in performance of the contract. In support of this, NOAA urges its contractors to develop and enforce comprehensive company policy addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment.

2. The contractor shall include wording substantially the same as this solicitation and contract language in every subcontract so that it is binding upon each subcontractor.

3. If a contractor employee observes or is the object of sexual assault or sexual harassment, he or she is highly encouraged to report the matter, as soon as possible, to their immediate supervisor, the COR, subset of the COR (e.g. Task Manager or Assistant COR), or contracting officer (CO) if a COR is not assigned to the contract. The contract employee may also contact the NOAA Civil Rights Office to obtain guidance on reporting instances of sexual assault or sexual harassment. If deemed necessary, the contractor employee may also report such instances to local law enforcement. In the case where the incident occurs while performing at a remote location, such as at sea or in the field (at a field camp or other isolated location) where the above referenced individuals are unavailable, the contractor employee should follow the reporting procedure set forth in NAO 202-1106, Section 6.07, Reporting from Remote Locations.

4. Swift reporting allows NOAA and the contractor to take the appropriate measures to ensure that offensive behavior stops and the complainants’ needs are addressed.

5. The COR (if assigned), CO, and contractor, where applicable, will work together to ensure appropriate action is taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, contract terms and conditions, and the contractor’s written policy (where applicable).

6. The contractor shall provide all contractor employees assigned to perform under this contract with mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response training in compliance with the requirements of NAO 202-1106, Section 5, Prevention Training and Awareness, as part of their initial in-processing and on an annual basis thereafter. The initial training shall be completed within [ ] business days (30 unless a different number is inserted) of contract award or the date a contractor employee is assigned to perform under the contract, as applicable.

Evidence of initial training by name and date completed for each contractor employee, shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) within 10 business days of completion.

Evidence of annual training by name and date completed for each contractor employee shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) no later than March 1st of each calendar year of contract performance.

7. The mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment training provided by the contractor shall include the required elements set forth by NOAA’s Workplace Violence Program Manager. A link to the website including the required elements of the training is provided at https://www.noaa.gov/organization/acquisition-grants/noaa-workplace-harassment-training-for-contractors-and-financial. The website will also provide training materials and resources to assist the contractor in conducting the training. The contractor may provide training that solely addresses the NOAA required elements or may supplement existing company sexual assault and sexual harassment training in a manner that ensures all of the elements are adequately addressed.

8. The required elements of the training and resources available to the contractor for the training may be updated by NOAA periodically. The contractor is responsible for monitoring the website and incorporating any changes to the NOAA required elements into the contractor provided training.

9. NOAA’s Workplace Violence Program Manager, COR, or CO may periodically review the contractor’s training outline to ensure all required elements are included and, if necessary, any appropriate adjustments are made to the training by the contractor.

10. Contractor employees performing on assignments in a remote location, such as at a field camp or other isolated locations, are subject to receiving the same briefing on the parameters of the order provided to NOAA employees as set forth in Section 6 of NAO 202-1106.

11. The contractor shall provide a copy of this solicitation and contract language and NAO 202-1106 to contractor employees.

(c) Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) Helpline.

For NOAA employees, affiliates, and contractors who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, NOAA has established the NOAA Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) helpline. This helpline is designed to provide crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support to those who are victims and/or survivors of sexual harassment or sexual assault within the workplace. Contractor employees may use the helpline to receive live, confidential, one-on-one support in an occurrence of sexual harassment or assault by a Federal Government employee.

All services are anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NOAA SASH helpline is accessible through a variety of channels, including:

● Phone: 1-866-288-6558

● Website & Online Chat: https://www.noaasashhelpline.org/

● Mobile App: NOAA SASH Helpline (available via iOS and Android App Stores)

● Text: (202) 335-0265

(d) Confidentiality.

Any party receiving information from the filing of a complaint alleging sexual assault or sexual harassment, or while performing an investigation into such a complaint, shall keep the information confidential. “Confidentiality” means that the information shall only be shared with others who have a need to know the information to conduct their official duties.

(e) Remedies.

In addition to other remedies available to the Government, contractor employee violations of Federal requirements (e.g., law, statutes, executive orders, code, rules, regulations) applicable to sexual assault and sexual harassment and/or failure to complete the mandatory training set forth in this solicitation and contract language, may result in:

1. Requiring the contractor to remove a contractor employee or employees from the performance of the contract;

2. Requiring the contractor to terminate a subcontract;

3. Suspension of contract payments until the Contractor has taken appropriate remedial action;

4. Termination of the contract for default or cause, in accordance with the termination clause of this contract;

5. Suspension or debarment; or

6. Other appropriate action.

(End of solicitation and contract language)

NOAA Acquisition Manual 1330-52.232-71 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (FEB 2023)

The Contractor must submit payment requests electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). The Contractor must use the IPP website to register, access, and submit payment requests. The IPP website address is https://www.ipp.gov.

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment to the Contractor. To be considered proper, invoices must be prepared in accordance with, and contain all elements specified in, the contract payment clause (e.g., FAR 52.212-4(g), FAR 52.232-25(a)(3), FAR 52.232-26(a)(2), FAR 52.232-27(a)(2)).

The Contractor must include the following documents as attachments to payment requests submitted through the IPP: [Contracting Officer list required invoice attachment(s); none if left blank].

If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to submit payment requests through the IPP due to a threat to national security; a matter of unusual or compelling urgency; or because the political, financial, or communications infrastructure of a foreign country does not support access to the IPP, the Contractor must request an exception in writing. Contact the Contracting Officer for more information about requesting an exception.

(End of solicitation and contract language)

NOAA Acquisition Manual 1330-52.237-70 CONTRACTOR COMMUNICATIONS

(a) A contractor employee shall be identified both by the individual’s name and the contractor’s name when:

● Included in NOAA’s locator, and

● When submitting any type of electronic correspondence to any NOAA employee or stakeholder.

(b) Any written correspondence from a contractor or any contractor employee shall be printed on company/organization letterhead or otherwise clearly identify the sender as an employee of the company or organization and shall identify the contract number.

(c) Contractors and/or contractor employees shall clearly identify themselves as such in any verbal communications, whether in informal discussion or a formal meeting.

(End of solicitation and contract language)

NOAA Acquisition Manual 1330-52.237-71 NOAA GOVERNMENT-CONTRACTOR RELATIONS - NON-

PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT (SEPT 2017)

(a) The Government and the contractor understand and agree that the services to be delivered under this contract by the contractor to the Government are non-personal services as defined in FAR Part 37, Service Contracting, and the parties recognize and agree that no employer-employee relationship exists or will exist under the contract between the Government and the contractor’s personnel. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the Government to afford both parties an understanding of their respective obligations.

(b) Contractor personnel under this contract shall not:

1. Be placed in a position where they are under relatively continuous supervision and control of a Government employee.

2. Be placed in a position of command, supervision, administration, or control over Government personnel or over personnel of other contractors performing under other NOAA contracts.

(c) The services to be performed under this contract do not require the contractor or the contractor’s personnel to exercise personal judgment and discretion on behalf of the Government. Rather, the contractor’s personnel will act and exercise personal judgment and discretion on behalf of the contractor.

(d) Rules, regulations, directives, and requirements that are issued by the Department of Commerce and NOAA under its responsibility for good order, administration, and security are applicable to all personnel who enter the Government installation and facilities, who are provided access to Government systems, or who travel on Government transportation. This is not to be construed or interpreted to establish any degree of Government control that is inconsistent with a non-personal services contract.

(e) Both parties are responsible for monitoring contract activities for indications of improper employee-employer relationships during performance. In the event a situation or occurrence takes place inconsistent with this contract language, the following applies:

1. The contractor shall notify the contracting officer in writing within 5 business days from the date of any situation or occurrence where the contractor considers specific contract activity to be inconsistent with the intent of this contract language. The notice must include the date, nature and circumstance of the situation or occurrence, the name, function and activity of each Government employee or contractor employee involved or knowledgeable about the situation or occurrence, provide any documents or the substance of any oral communications related to the activity, and an estimated date by which the Government is recommended to respond to the notice in order to minimize cost, delay, or disruption of performance.

2. The contracting officer will review the information provided by the contractor, obtain additional information (if needed), and respond in writing as soon as practicable after receipt of the notification from the contractor. The contracting officer’s response will provide a decision on whether the contracting officer determines the situation or occurrence to be inconsistent with the intent of this contract language and, if deemed necessary, will specify any corrective action(s) to be taken in order to resolve the issue.

(End of solicitation and contract language)

Section 6 - Instructions to Offerors

RFO 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023) (Deviation JAN 2026)

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include-

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any offer, modification, or revision received after the time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(4) Offerors may withdraw their offers by written notice to the Government received at any time before award.

(d) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the Offeror's initial offer should contain the Offeror's best terms. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(e) Debriefings. If a postaward debriefing is given to requesting Offerors, the Government will disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed Offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful Offeror and the debriefed Offeror and past performance information on the debriefed Offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all Offerors when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for…