Best Available Science Review Request for Information (RFI)

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to find capable vendors to support the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (GCERC), capable of providing for ecosystem restoration-based science support services, including the review and assessment of whether RESTORE Act Council-Selected Restoration Component and Spill Impact Component applications for natural resource protection and restoration projects are reasonably based on best available science.

VENDORS MUST REVIEW THE ENTIRE REQUIREMENT AND SHALL ONLY RESPOND IF FULLY CAPABLE OF SATISFYING ALL ASPECTS OF THE REQUIREMENT.

This is an RFI for market research purposes, and not a solicitation.

I.              SCOPE

The objective of this requirement is for contractual services for science reviews on an as needed basis. The contractor is required to utilize subject matter experts from nonprofits, Gulf centers of excellence, and academia to independently review and assess whether Council-Selected Restoration Component and Spill Impact Component applications for ecosystem and economic restoration projects and programs proposed in the future are reasonably based on best available science. The contractor shall in no way modify the assessments or put pressure on the reviewers that could compromise the quality of the review.

The main function of the contractor will be to help select reviewers, provide standardized context and guidance to reviewers, and administer funds to compensate the reviewers; it is preferred that few, if any, reviews be done by contractor staff. The use of “best available science” for these types of projects is required by the RESTORE Act and is defined by the Act as:

“…science that—

1. maximizes the quality, objectivity, and integrity of information, including statistical information;
2. uses peer-reviewed and publicly available data; and

       (C) clearly documents and communicates risks and uncertainties in the scientific basis for such projects”

The assessment must adhere to this definition and reflect an understanding of the relevant science underpinning the proposed projects.

Proposed projects requiring best available science review may include, from eligible activities in the RESTORE Act, those involving:

• Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region
• Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources
• Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring
• Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
• Infrastructure projects benefiting ecological resources, including port infrastructure
• Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure

This contract will cover the following types of best available science reviews:

• The review of project and program proposals associated with the development of a new FPL (approximately 15-20 every 4 years)
• The review of novel/non-conventional techniques associated with project or program funding applications. (approximately 0-5 each year on an as needed basis)

The best available science review may require assessment of the reasonableness of technical information provided in applications for novel/non-conventional, or complex, large-scale projects and programs, as well as knowledge and understanding of large-scale restoration planning and how projects and programs support implementation of such plans.  This includes the review and assessment of whether RESTORE Act Council-Selected Restoration Component and Spill Impact Component applications for natural resource protection and restoration projects are reasonably based on best available science.

GCERC also needs science support for the potential review and assessment of the reasonableness of technical information provided in applications for complex, large-scale projects and programs. Science support would include access to professionals from nonprofits, Gulf centers of excellence, and academia with knowledge and understanding of large-scale restoration planning and how projects and programs support implementation of such plans; and decision-support capabilities to develop tools and databases for large-scale restoration.

II.            ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance is to be determined.

III.           ADDITIONAL DETAILS

NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE. A request for more information, or a copy of the solicitation, will not be considered an affirmative response to this Request for Information. Telephone responses or inquiries to this Request for Information will NOT be accepted.

Please submit a response to this Request for Information (RFI) to Procurement at purchasing@fiscal.treasury.gov, with the subject line of “20341825N00001 ATTN: MWinans/JMiller”, no later than 10:00am EST July 30, 2025.

Questions about this RFI will not be entertained, as a vendor pool is all that is being sought at this time. Questions and Answers will be fielded during the RFQ period in the future. Quotations will not be accepted at this time.

Qualified contractors must provide the following:

1.             The name and location of your company, contact information, and identify your business size and socioeconomic category. Please ensure contact information includes the name of the point of contact, email address, and telephone number should the Government have questions regarding individual responses.

2.             The GSA contract or other vehicle your services are available through, including schedule/GWAC number, NAICS Codes, and applicable SIN.

3.             Submissions should include sufficient evidence clearly demonstrating a vendor’s capability. Responding vendors shall provide a general capabilities statement that includes a description of their standard line(s) of business, information outlining their experience, along with a technical narrative addressing each specified requirement in the PWS.

The following file extensions are not allowable and application materials/data submitted with these extensions cannot be considered: .bat, .cmd, .com, .exe, .pif, .rar, .scr, .vbs, .hta,, .cpl, and .zip files. Microsoft Office compatible documents are acceptable. No other information regarding this Request for Information will be provided at this time.

This notice does not restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. All firms responding to this notice are advised that their response is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties will be required to respond to any resultant solicitation separately from their response to this notice, should one be issued.