Sources Sought Notice - PR NF-FS5500-22-01720.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

PR: NF-FS5500-22-01720

1.0 Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division (WAD), on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Regional Office (AKR), is seeking possible sources able to provide veterinary and health expertise for marine mammals in Southeast Alaska and provide direct field support in Juneau, Alaska during stranding season recognized as May 1st to September 30th. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541940, Veterinary Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is $9 Million.

2.0 Background and Objective

In 1992, Congress passed the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Act, formalizing the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP). The Program was charged with the objective of facilitating the collection and dissemination of reference data on stranded marine mammals and health trends of marine mammal populations in the wild. NOAA's NMFS line office was designated as the lead agency in coordinating activities related to the MMHSRP. To respond to marine mammal stranding(s), volunteer stranding networks have been established in all coastal states.

The objective of this contract is to obtain professional services to assist NMFS AKR with the implementation of the Alaska Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (Stranding Program) for marine mammals in Alaska under NMFS jurisdiction. The contractor will work closely with AKR Stranding Program staff and the Alaska Stranding Program Network Members (Network). The professional services may cover a variety of tasks within the scope of the Stranding Program including, but not limited to:

• Stranding Data Management;

• Unusual Mortality Event Investigations;

• Veterinary/Necropsy/Disentanglement Support;

• Administrative Support; and

• Education and Outreach.

NMFS AKR desires to establish a collaborative relationship with a contractor that will provide support to its Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Program by providing veterinary services along with outreach, administrative, and data support. The contractor will work closely with Necropsy/Disentanglement Support in assessing Unusual Mortality Events as designated by NMFS. The performance period for this requirement is expected to begin March 2023.

3.0 Requirements

In order to promote the most efficient use of funds towards meeting the mission and program goals, NMFS AKR requires a contractor that can provide services to help analyze and achieve these program goals. Service requirements include:

a) The contractor must work in Juneau, Alaska May 1st through September 30th each year during the period of performance. The contractor may work remotely from another location during the remainder of the contract.

b) The contractor must have experience in marine mammal health and necropsy including evaluating human interactions.

c) The contractor must have experience in large whale and pinniped disentanglement responses.

d) The contractor must possess/obtain the following during the period of performance:

i. Veterinary and DEA licenses

ii. Obtain/maintain co-investigator role on NMFS MMHSRP permit as both a large whale entanglement responder (level 4 or higher) and pinniped disentanglements

iii. Fluency in current Microsoft Office applications

iv. Arc GIS skills

v. CPR & First Aid

1) Desired Capabilities

NMFS AKR is seeking to collaborate with an individual or entity that has:

a) Experience with ArcGIS (Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic

Information System) software.

b) Strong writing skills with a demonstrated record of peer reviewed publications and outreach material (newsletters/articles/etc.).

c) Familiarity with the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network and Large Whale

Entanglement Partners.

d) Previous participation in aerial surveys for marine mammal carcasses.

4.0 Requested Information

Interested firms shall submit a capability statement which shall demonstrate how the firm will meet the key service requirements as listed in this notice. Please limit responses to three pages (single spaced, no less than 10 point font). Standard brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this notice.

The submitted capability statement shall include the following:

1. Company Overview

a. Company Name and Address

b. A brief description of your company

c. Social-economic status, business size, and size standard/applicable NAICS codes.

d. Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number/ Unique Entity Identifer (UEI/SAM) number.

e. Website address.

f. Up to five recent (within the past three years) and relevant projects similar in size and magnitude.

• Identify your experience as a Prime or a Subcontractor on similar efforts.

• Identify any work with NMFS AKR or other NMFS offices for similar project work (if applicable).

g. Any additional information addressing the requirements and desired capabilities listed in this notice.

5.0 Summary

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST ONLY to identify sources that can furnish support for the required services. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding to NOAA. NOAA has not made a commitment or an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Responses must be submitted in writing no later than June 20, 2022 by 5:00 P.M. Mountain Time, sent via email to alexandra.reed@noaa.gov and hannah.montoya@noaa.gov.

Responses must be received in a supported Adobe or Microsoft Office file format. These formats are the only acceptable methods of submitting a response electronically. Zip Files, Cloud storage providers, google docs, web based drop boxes, OneNote/OneDrive, URLs, web-based format, or any other virtual/web-based memory service are NOT acceptable methods of submitting a response electronically.

Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

mailto:alexandra.reed@noaa.gov mailto:hannah.montoya@noaa.gov