Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Study Fleet Services for Cooperative Research for NMFS

The Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norfolk, VA is soliciting quotes, on behalf of the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Cooperative Research Study Fleet Program, along with other research branches within the NEFSC, require Contractor support in one or more areas of scientific investigation. The Cooperative Research Program complements other NMFS programs and contributes to improved fishery stock assessments and the evaluation of management options. Supported Study Fleet research projects for this contract will require participation by Northeast and Mid-Atlantic vessels using trawl and gillnet vessels fishing for long-finned squid, monkfish, groundfish, and vessels with substantial landings of Georges Bank and Southern New England yellowtail flounder.

The Contractor shall assist in collecting and confirming tow-by-tow data through an electronic logbook system and a web based data confirmation system. This will be accomplished through use of the NEFSC Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Systems (FLDRS) software, or sector management electronic reporting tools capable of recording and transmitting the necessary data elements, as determined by the NEFSC Contractors may also perform testing of new software versions and capabilities. Work shall be on a schedule consistent with the vessel's fishing and gear research practices. Vessels home ported outside of the New England/Southern New England area may be required to travel to Pt. Judith, RI or New Bedford, MA for program set-up and initial training. The planned period of performance is for a base period of one (1) year with four (1) year options.

This is a 100% Total Small Business Set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the acquisition is 541712 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The small business size standard is 500 employees. NOAA anticipates making multiple contract awards as a result of this solicitation. The solicitation and proposed firm-fixed-price contract will be issued utilizing FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5, Test Program For Certain Commercial Items. The Award will be made to the quoter(s) whose quote meets all Statement of Work (SOW) and solicitation requirements and is judged to be the best value, by an integrated assessment of price and other evaluation factors listed in the attached Request for Quote (RFQ).

The anticipated award date is August 2015. Hard copies of the RFQ will not be issued. The solicitation will be available electronically on or about June 1, 2015 via FedBizOpps at www.fedbizopps.gov. It is incumbent upon contractors to monitor FEDBIZOPPS for the release of the RFQ, Statement of Work, and all subsequent amendments. To be eligible for award, quoters must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov; quoters must also obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and provide it with the quote. All responsible sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency. For information concerning this acquisition, please forward inquiries via e-mail to Roberta Smith, Contract Specialist, at Roberta.H.Smith@noaa.gov. Quotes will be accepted electronically at the following email address: Roberta.H.Smith@noaa.gov and via facsimile at (757) 441-3786.