Lease Two (2) vessels to support RVC fish surveys in USVI Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a pre-solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified U.S. Domestic businesses, which could include Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Women Owned Small Business firms and even Large Businesses. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) conducts research on federally managed marine fisheries, protected species, and the habitats that support them.  As part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Plan (NCRMP), the SEFSC conducts biennial surveys as part of a multi-agency effort to assess the fishes and corals in and around the US Virgin Islands. The NCRMP team was awarded funding by the Coral Reef Conservation Program to complete additional Reef Visual Census (RVC) fish surveys in two (2) territorial marine protected areas (MPAs); the St. Thomas East End Reserve (STEER) and the St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP). In order to successfully complete this project, as many sites as possible need to be visually surveyed to provide a robust sample size to evaluate the effectiveness of the MPAs compared to areas open to fishing (data collected by NCRMP). To facilitate thorough and efficient field surveys we require two vessels each with an experienced captain. The vessels should have ample open deck and storage space for dive equipment, scientific equipment, survey equipment, and should be capable of entering and live-boating around shallow reefs that often have significant wave action and currents.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Research aboard two (2) vessels to complete reef visual census (fish) surveys. These data will be incorporated into the database for NCRMP and will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the MPAs for reef fishes.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 483112 with a size standard of 1,500 people.

Place of Performance:  St. Thomas Island, US Virgin Islands: Any port will work / St. Croix, US Virgin Islands: Preferred port city is Christiansted. 

Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm’s capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm’s name, address, point of contact, telephone number, UEID Number, CCR CAGE Number, business type and size (i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, etc.). Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to provide the items as specified above.

This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that any procurement action may be issued for the Government’s requirements.

No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise because of the submission of contractor’s information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered and active with the System for Award Management (SAM) website.

NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded based on responses received to this notice.