Notice of intent to sole source

Added: Jul 27, 2015 5:41 pm The Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Auke Bay Laboratories, Alaska Fisheries Science Center intends to issue a sole source award utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures to purchase from the University of Massachusetts. The purchase will be to develop a simulation framework to evaluate stock assessment models that include a recruitment-environment linkage; Conduct Monte-Carlo simulations to evaluate the ability of 3 model selection tools to identify assessment models that correctly represent recruitment-environment linkages; develop simulated forecasts of GOA flatfish population dynamics using assessment models that include a recruitment-environment linkage under a variety of potential future climate scenarios.

The scope of the work is to developing a report on the efficacy of model selection tools to identify stock assessment models that correctly represent recruitment-environment linkages and forecasting of GOA flatfish stocks with recruitment-environment linkages under a variety of future climate scenarios. To develop a simulation framework to evaluate stock assessment models that include a recruitment-environment linkage. To conduct simulations to evaluate the ability of 3 model selection tools to identify assessment models that correctly represent recruitment-environment linkages and to use a suite of alternative assessment models with recruitment-environment linkages, in combination with a variety of future climate scenarios to simulate and investigate the range of potential effects of future climate scenarios on GOA flatfish population dynamics. The end products will be used to evaluate the range of potential effects of future climate scenarios on flatfish population dynamics and assessment performance. The products include quantitative analyses of the effects of potential future climate scenarios on GOA flatfish population dynamics, an extension of the R package ss3sim, and a complete a manuscript suitable for journal publication. The government believes U of Mass is the only vendor capable of fulfilling this requirement based on the fact that this work requires an individual to oversee the project who is currently in a position to supervise a graduate student as his or her major professor. Dr. Gavin Fay, an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, has all of the unique qualifications listed above and the ability to directly oversee this project. Individuals who are contracted to work on the project must have the resources to master several sub-fields of fisheries oceanography and science in a timely manner; therefore, the university contracted to do this work must offer a curriculum that combines coursework on physical-biological interactions in the ocean, physical oceanography, U.S. ocean policy, stock assessment of fishery resources, and ecosystem-based fisheries management. The SMAST program at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, is uniquely qualified to provide the curriculum listed above to individuals who are working on the project under Dr. Fay, who is a professor in the SMAST program. For these reasons, the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth is currently the only university currently fully qualified to perform this work.

This notice of intent is for information purposes only, therefore, no solicitation will result from this announcement. All sources eligible to provide this service must respond in writing, response must be supported by clear and convincing evidence to clearly be able to provide services outlined above.

A request for documentation will not be considered an affirmative response. If no responses are received, within 15 days after publication of this notice, to the effect that comparable services are available, and that it is more advantageous to the Government than obtaining these services through a sole-source contract, then a sole source acquisition award will be made. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $150,000.00 total. Response to this special notice is to be sent to Suzanne.Johnston@noaa.gov or to fax number (907) 789-6094.