Sol_1333MF26Q0117.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

Manta Ray satellite tagging and biological sample collection.

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 1333MF26Q0117 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ), for services conducting field operations in the Mississippi River Delta to locate, tag, and collect biological samples from giant manta rays to improve understanding of their distribution and habitat use in accordance with the statement of work.

This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 541990.

The small business size standard is $19.0 million.

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.

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

See attached Statement of Work which applies to Base Year and all Option Years.

INVOICES TO BE BILLED MONTHLY IN ARREARS VIA IPP. PROVIDE MONTHLY

AND ANNUAL PRICING FOR EACH BASE AND OPTION YEAR. QUOTE PRICING MAY

BE PROVIDED ON ATTACHED SF18 FORM OR ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD.

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

Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 09/17/2026, 16:00 EST.

All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to heather.mahle@noaa.gov. Ensure the subject line in your email references the Solicitation number.

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.

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.

mailto:heather.mahle@noaa.gov

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

1333MF26Q0117

Multiple Destinations

NMFS Field Delegates

601 EAST 12TH STREET SUITE 1746

KANSAS CITY MO 64106

NMFS Field Delegates

601 EAST 12TH STREET SUITE 1746

KANSAS CITY MO 64106

09/17/2026 1600 ED

143031-26-0108

HEATHER MAHLE

NMFS-FD

NMFS-FD

HEATHER MAHLE

541990

$19.5

09/10/2026

NOTICE: THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT

RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT

IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST A

CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT.

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,

UNIQUE ENTITY ID ______________________

CAGE CODE ____________

OFFEROR MAY SUBMIT THE QUOTE ON THIS SF-18 FORM

OR THEIR OWN COMPANY FORM.

VENDOR DATA MANAGMENT PLAN SHOULD ACCOMPANY

YOUR QUOTE.

QUOTES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON (RFO

52.212-2) IN ATTACHED CLAUSES & PROVISIONS.

VENDORS WHO DO NOT PROVIDE ALL EVALUATION

CRITERIA WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

THE OFFEROR MUST BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) TO BE

ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD.

QUOTES RECEIVED FROM CONTRACTORS WHO ARE NOT

ACTIVE IN SAM WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

0001 1 JABase Period: Scientific professional services to provide all necessary vessel assets, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), specialized instrumentation, dive operations, and specialized personnel required to execute search, tracking, satellite tag deployment, and biological sampling of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) within the coastal waters of the

Mississippi River Delta region, in strict

Continued...

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGES

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(B)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

ITEM NO.

(A)

QUANTITY

(C)

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

1333MF26Q0117

accordance with the performance metrics of the attached Statement of Work

0002 1 JAOPTION 0001: Scientific professional services to provide all necessary vessel assets, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), specialized instrumentation, dive operations, and specialized personnel required to execute search, tracking, satellite tag deployment, and biological sampling of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) within the coastal waters of the

Mississippi River Delta region, in strict accordance with the performance metrics of the attached Statement of Work

(Option Line Item)

Anticipated Exercise Date: 07/15/2027

0003 1 JAOPTION 0002: Scientific professional services to provide all necessary vessel assets, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), specialized instrumentation, dive operations, and specialized personnel required to execute search, tracking, satellite tag deployment, and biological sampling of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) within the coastal waters of the

Mississippi River Delta region, in strict accordance with the performance metrics of the attached Statement of Work

(Option Line Item)

Anticipated Exercise Date: 07/15/2028

0004 1 JAOption 0003: Scientific professional services to provide all necessary vessel assets, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), specialized instrumentation, dive operations, and specialized personnel required to execute search, tracking, satellite tag deployment, and biological sampling of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) within the coastal waters of the

Mississippi River Delta region, in strict accordance with the performance metrics of the attached Statement of Work

(Option Line Item)

Anticipated Exercise Date: 07/15/2029

1333MF26Q0117 BASE

Section III - Description/Specifications Section IX - Contract Clauses

Section III - Description/Specifications

SOW Statement of Work

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA FISHERIES

National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Louisiana Manta Rays

I. Background/Overview:

Giant manta rays (Manta birostris) were listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to their inherent vulnerability with late age at maturity and low reproductive output coupled with overharvest and lack of effective management measures to control the international gill-raker trade in the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific portion of its range (83 FR 2916).

Data were unavailable to identify physical or biological features essential to the conservation of M.

birostris within areas under U.S. jurisdiction, resulting in a “not prudent” determination for the designation of critical habitat under the ESA (84 FR 66652). Significant data gaps were identified regarding giant manta ray movements, foraging areas, aggregation sites and nursery grounds.

Additionally, the population structure of manta rays in the northwestern Atlantic is poorly understood.

A putative species or subspecies of M. birostris, near indistinguishable in appearance, has been suggested (referred to as M. cf. birostris; Marshall et al., 2009) to occur in southeast Florida (Pate and Marshall 2020), Flower Garden Banks (Stewart et al. 2018) and Yucatan peninsula (Hinojosa-Alvarez et

al. 2016), likely co-occurring and hybridizing with M. birostris (Hosegood et al. In Press).

Effective conservation and management of highly mobile marine species requires an understanding of the environmental drivers of their spatio-temporal distribution. Individual M. birostris populations are scattered and highly fragmented, but the species is globally distributed (CITES 2013). M. birostris appears to conduct seasonal migrations following prey abundance (Clark 2010), which includes planktonic organisms such as euphausiids, copepods, mysids, decapod larvae and shrimp, and fish spawn (Bertolini 1933, Bigelow and Schroeder 1953, Stewart et al. 2017). Many international studies have documented seasonal sighting patterns associated with movement of zooplankton, current circulation and tidal patterns, seasonal upwelling, seawater temperature, and possibly mating behavior (Couturier et al. 2012; De Boer et al. 2015; Armstrong et al. 2016; Hacohen-Domené et al. 2017).

Although M. birostris is not targeted by fisheries in the U.S., M. birostris are subjected to commercial fisheries bycatch, recreational fishing bycatch, boat strike, oil and gas industry activities, contaminants and pollutants, military activities, and climate change (Stewart et al. 2018; Pate and Marshall 2020). The spatio-temporal distribution of M. birostris in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean is poorly understood. To address this data gap, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office (SERO) has integrated decades of sightings and effort data from numerous sources in a comprehensive species distribution modeling (SDM) framework (Farmer et al., 2022). The draft SDM identified clear seasonal patterns of distribution in response to sea surface temperature (SST), Z-transformed SST frontal gradients (Front-Z), depth, and Chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a) or primary productivity (pp). Sighting probability was highest at SSTs from 17-32 °C, with peak probability around 22 °C. Sighting probability increased with shallower water depths, increasing frontal strength, and increasing concentration of Chl-a. Although strong associations were observed across aerial survey data sources between M. birostris sightings and proxies for productive upwelling zones (e.g., primary productivity, Chlorophyll-a, thermal frontal gradients);

SERO has been unable to test associations between M. birostris and specific prey due to the lack of individual movement data and spatially-explicit zooplankton sampling data.

Further adding to the urgency of improving our understanding of movements, population structure, and life history is the apparent existence of multiple M. birostris nursery grounds in the Southeast. Decades of size distribution data collected at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) indicates that the sanctuary is a nursery habitat for juvenile manta rays (Childs 2001, Stewart et al., 2018). Similarly, Pate and Marshall (2020) suggest the occurrence of juveniles, high site fidelity and extended use of the study area by juvenile manta rays indicate that the highly developed urban coastline of southeastern Florida may serve as a nursery habitat. Preliminary tagging efforts by SERO in collaboration with partners in 2019 provided many fascinating insights into manta behavior. At FGBNMS, a tagged juvenile female used significantly deeper (52.6 ± 23.5 m vs. 24.4 ± 21.6 m, t=-21.2, df=1147, p<0.0001) and colder (23.5 ± 3.4 °C vs. 28.1 ± 3.1 °C, t=24.2, df=1147, p<0.0001) waters at night than during the day. The deeper dives at night are consistent with the deep scattering layer foraging hypothesis (Stewart et al., 2018), as highest regional nighttime densities of vertical migrators (especially euphausiids) are somewhere around 20-80m depth (Hopkins 1982, Kaltenberg et al. 2007).

Six mantas were tagged in Southeast Florida; four returned valid data with successfully recovered tags.

Site fidelity was relatively high; a SPOT-tagged individual had 19% of its relocations within 5 km of the capture location over a 73 day period. Individual movements appeared to be associated with sea surface temperatures and frontal upwelling zones, with the most extreme movements and deepest dives recorded in the path of an oncoming hurricane. The percentage of time individuals spent in the upper 2 m of the water column, which would be visible from aerial surveys, was variable (15-34%). By contrast, the one manta tagged at FGBNMS only spent 7% of its time within the upper 2 m of the water column. Because abundance modeling using an SDM divides predicted numbers of mantas in a given location by their availability bias (e.g., the amount of time they spend in visible depths), accurately estimating this parameter through greatly increased sample sizes is essential to avoid grossly over- or underestimating population abundance in the region.

A more comprehensive understanding of the distribution of the species in combination with individual site fidelity, population structure, and movement patterns would allow managers to more effectively plan recovery for this threatened species. Further satellite tagging, and if possible, collecting genetic material, is also needed to evaluate whether M. birostris within the northwestern Atlantic Ocean constitute one large, mixed population, or exist as isolated subpopulations (Stewart et al. 2016a).

Understanding the environmental drivers of their distribution will allow researchers to more effectively target these rare animals for scientific study, including the attachment of satellite tags to inform movements, site fidelity, and dive patterns. Finally, and perhaps most interestingly, with further satellite tagging data on M. birostris movements and dive profiles, we may be able to address availability bias for animals that are underwater, and apply similar methods to determine population abundance. Following Farmer et al. (2018), individual impacts can then be summarized across the population to evaluate population consequences of disturbance in the context of population recovery.

II. Scope of Work This project would focus efforts on the area around the mouth of the Mississippi river. The project requires a flexible range of 5 to 10 days of field operations total. Operations would be conducted for five days either between September and November, 2026 or April and June, 2027. The contractor would search for mantas in the general area of the Mississippi River Delta (offshore of Red Pass in the West around to offshore of Pass A Loutre in the East) in an effort to deploy satellite tags and collect biological samples when possible. The data gathered from these tag deployment efforts will lead to a greater understanding of habitat use and movement patterns of mantas in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Additionally, the contractor may utilize their own Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to search for manta rays, enhancing operational efficiency, helping direct the vessel to their location, and capturing and transferring associated media.

III. Tasks The contractor will provide two personnel to effectively search for and find manta rays in coastal Louisiana waters. The personnel must have the ability to tag mantas either free diving or from the vessel. The contract personnel must provide all their own gear for tag deployment, all their own freediving gear, and either provide their own vessel or be able to secure the services of a vessel.

IV. Period of Performance Base: September 1st, 2026 through July 31st, 2027. Five days of operations total.

Option period 1: August 1st, 2027 through July 31st, 2028. Up to 10 days of operations.

Option period 2: August 1st, 2028 through July 31st, 2029. Up to 10 days of operations.

Option period 3: August 1st, 2029 through July 31st, 2030. Up to 10 days of operations.

V. Place of Performance Operations shall be staged out of Venice, LA, or an adjacent port, targeting coastal waters within the Mississippi River Delta region. Operations shall be executed across a firm range of 5 operational days during the Base Period and up to 10 operational days per Option Period, with exact dates determined by the Contractor, through consultation with the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), to optimize weather windows and manta ray presence.

VI. Deliverable Schedule

• Operations will be conducted out of Venice, LA or another appropriate port in the vicinity of the area of operations. The contract personnel must be available throughout the operation period.

• Upon completion of operations, the contractor will provide an invoice to the POC and to MB.Invoices@noaa.gov for payment of services rendered.

VII. Government-Furnished Resources The Government will provide all necessary information, data and documents to the Contractor for work required under this contract.

The Government will provide to the Contractor the following equipment, supplies, and similar, necessary to conduct these services and anticipates facility and security access as follows:

1. The Government will provide the satellite tags to be deployed on manta rays.

Services Contractor will work primarily: ¿ On-Site X Off-Site

Services Contractor requires access to NOAA facilities: ¿ Required X Not Required Services Contractor requires a PIV or CAC: ¿ Required X Not Required Services Contractor requires a NOAA email address: ¿ Required X Not Required Services Contractor requires use of DOC-Owned IT equipment (laptop or desktop computer) ¿ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires non-Government IT equipment to connect to a DOC network: ¿ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires access to non-public DOC/NOAA ¿ Required X Not Required mailto:MB.Invoices@noaa.gov data:

Services Contractor will be provided on-site office space with incidental Government Property (desk, chair, phone, and other similar equipment that remains onsite, per FAR 45.000 (5)

¿ Provided X Not Provided

For Services Contractors doing laboratory work, the government will provide typical lab supplies and equipment for use: ¿ Provided X Not Provided

Description of other access or equipment requirements not already addressed above:

VIII. Travel, and Training

a. Travel:

Domestic U.S. travel to and from the field work site is included in the contract price.

The following additional aspects are / are not anticipated during the performance of this order:

Domestic / U.S. Travel X Anticipated • Not Anticipated Foreign / Overseas Travel • Anticipated X Not Anticipated Other: {Provide description below} • Anticipated X Not Anticipated Description of anticipated special and / or additional requirements not already described above:

NA

IX. Security Requirements This project is considered low risk, and there are no security requirements associated with the proposed work. The contractor will not require access to Federal Buildings, DOC Systems, or specialized federal information networks. Supply chain risk management and hardware profiles are governed under Section 52.240-91.

X. Applicable Standards The Contractor is solely responsible for determining the safe and effective operational methodologies, asset deployment strategies, and dive safety protocols required to deliver the finalized satellite tracking data and biological sampling datasets in accordance with the milestones of this Statement of Work;

however, the Contractor shall execute all field operations in strict compliance with all federal, state, and local statutory requirements as applicable, including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) vessel safety regulations, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) rules, and federal dive safety mandates as incorporated under RFO 52.236-13 (Accident Prevention) and CAR 1352.209-73 (Compliance with the Laws).

XI.

a. Confidentiality and Data Privacy

This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Services contractors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all subjects and materials and may be required to sign and adhere to a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA).

b. Intellectual Property Rights All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this purchase order.

Documents, files and other data are to be stored exclusively on Government owned equipment or compliant secure online storage meeting government requirements, and at no point should be saved or archived on personal drives or devices. Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NMFS or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the Government.

c. IT Security The contractor will not require access to Federal Buildings, DOC Systems and includes an IT component.

d. Section 508 Compliance Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by P.L. 105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998), all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained and/or used under this contract shall be in compliance with the “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards” set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the “Access Board”) in 36 CFR Part 1194.

The complete text of Section 508 Standards can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/ or at http://www.section508.gov.

XII. Key Personnel Required Knowledge and Experience:

The technical quote elements must explicitly document that the proposed two-person field crew possesses the following baseline qualifications: Ability to tag mantas either free diving or from the vessel.

http://www.access-board.gov/ http://www.section508.gov/

Section IX - Contract Clauses

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

RFO 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation. (JAN 2017)

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)

FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. (DEC 2014)

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)

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 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. (FEB 2016) (Deviation JAN 2026)

(a) The Government will not enter into a contract with any corporation that-

(1) Has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government; or

(2) Was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that this action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

(b) The Offeror represents that-

(1) It is ___ is not ___ a corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability; and

(2) It is ___ is not ___ a corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

(End of provision)

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 award.

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful Offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed Offeror as to whether the agency followed source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities.

(End of provision)

RFO 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2021) (Deviation JAN 2026)

(a) Evaluation factors. 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. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

• Factor 1: Technical Profile and Compliance Review (Attachment A): The Government will evaluate the completeness and structural risk of the hardware profiles.

• Factor 2: Key Personnel Experience and Capabilities: The Government will subjectively evaluate the qualifications of the proposed two-person field crew. Higher ratings will be assigned to proposals demonstrating extensive historical success in open-water megafauna tracking and advanced in-water tag application via free-diving methods on large marine organisms.

• Factor 3: Price: Price will be evaluated for complete cost balance and realism across the 5-day base operational window and all flexible option periods.

(b) Options (if applicable). 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. The evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) Notice of award. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer 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)

RFO 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. (JUL 1990) (Deviation JAN 2026)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.202(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(End of provision) This includes options under RFO 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which applies to this solicitation.

Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

RFO 52.217-8 Option To Extend Services. (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 5 days.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.217-9 Option To Extend the Term of the Contract. (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within PRIOR TO THE END OF THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years.

(End of clause)

RFO 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns. (OCT 2022) (Deviation JAN 2026)

(a) Evaluation preference. (1) Offers will be evaluated by adding a factor of 10 percent to the price of all offers, except-

(i) Offers from HUBZone small business concerns that have not waived the evaluation preference; and

(ii) Otherwise successful offers from small business concerns.

(b) Waiver of evaluation preference. A HUBZone small business concern may choose to waive the evaluation preference. If the concern waives the preference, the factor will be added to its offer for evaluation purposes.

[ ] Offeror chooses to waive the evaluation preference.

(c) Joint venture. A HUBZone joint venture agrees that, in the performance of the contract, at least 40 percent of the aggregate work performed by the joint venture shall be completed by the HUBZone small business parties to the joint venture. Work performed by the HUBZone small business parties to the joint venture must be more than administrative functions.

(End of provision)

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

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 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons. (OCT 2025)

FAR 52.222-52 Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Certification. (MAY 2014)

(a) The offeror shall check the following certification:

CERTIFICATION

The offeror ___ does ___ does not certify that-

(1) The services under the contract are offered and sold regularly to non-Governmental customers, and are provided by the offeror (or subcontractor in the case of an exempt subcontract) to the general public in substantial quantities in the course of normal business operations;

(2) The contract services are furnished at prices that are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices. An "established catalog price" is a price included in a catalog, price list, schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the manufacturer or the offeror, is either published or otherwise available for inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general public. An "established market price" is a current price, established in the usual course of ordinary and usual trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain, which can be substantiated from sources independent of the manufacturer or offeror;

(3) Each service employee who will perform the services under the contract will spend only a small portion of his or her time (a monthly average of less than 20 percent of the available hours on an annualized basis, or less than 20 percent of available hours during the contract period if the contract period is less than a month) servicing the Government contract; and

(4) The offeror uses the same compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract as the offeror uses for these employees and for equivalent employees servicing commercial customers.

(b) Certification by the offeror as to its compliance with respect to the contract also constitutes its certification as to compliance by its subcontractor if it subcontracts out the exempt services.

If the offeror certifies to the conditions in paragraph (a) of this provision, and the Contracting Officer determines in accordance with FAR 22.1003-4(d)(3) that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute-

(1) Will not apply to this offeror, then the Service Contract Labor Standards clause in this solicitation will not be included in any resultant contract to this offeror; or

(2) Will apply to this offeror, then the clause at FAR 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to…