Nasem biodiversity meetings

NASEM BIODIVERSITY MEETINGS - RFQ ANNOUNCEMENT

The USGS is seeking the procurement of NASEM Biodiversity Meetings. USGS has developed a draft prospectus for the project, including background, questions to be addressed, a chapter outline, work plan, and assessment processes. NASEM staff will identify 12 to 15 experts to review the draft prospectus, who will participate in two online meetings (2.5 - 3 hours each) to discuss the document, provide critiques, and offer suggestions for making the assessment more effective and impactful. The meetings will be convened by NASEM staff. The experts will act individually in their personal capacities as scientists and other subject-matter authorities. No NASEM-endorsed product will be developed from the meetings organized for this activity, which will not be open to the public. USGS staff will take notes in the discussions for use by USGS in revising the prospectus.

Period of Performance will be 04/01/2023 through 03/31/2024.

NASEM is to be awarded this action on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-5(c)(iii)(B). Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship via email at mblankenship@usgs.gov no later than 12:00PM EST, Wednesday, March 29, 2023 with any questions.

Sole Source Justification States the Following:

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 6.302-5(c)(iii)(B). The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NRCASC) of USGS require independent and objective review by a group of credible technical experts of a draft prospectus for a trinational assessment of biodiversity. NASEM will identify 12-15 experts to review the document, and organize and convene two online meetings of those experts to discuss the document with USGS staff, provide critiques, and offer suggestions to ensure that the assessment meets its stated goals.

NASEM, chartered by an Act of Congress in 1863, provides independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. NASEM staff members will seek suggestions and nominations for the expert panel from members of the relevant Boards, and will also use their own knowledge to develop and screen experts for the panel to ensure that it has relevant expertise and balance among the many disciplines required for the review (e.g., ecology, natural resources, climate, biodiversity, oceanography, water science). All NASEM activities, products, and services adhere to rigorous standards designed to guarantee objectivity. Because of NASEM¿s unique origins and status as a trusted resource for government agencies seeking scientific and technical advice, it does not compete for federal contracts.

Market research indicates no body, public or private, exists with capacity to provide an
independent, objective, credible expert review of the prospectus. NASEM is specifically
designed for tasks of this kind, and has decades of experience in conducting objective expert
reviews and summaries for the federal government. NASEM¿s Congressional charter commits it
to provide scientific advice to the government and all its agencies.