Special Notice for NOAA Juneau Aquarium Curator

Special Notice: 24-0125
NOAA / NMFS / AKFSC

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AKFSC), intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Casey W Debenham of Juneau, Alaska, to procure the following:

Provide services of a professional aquarium curator to perform all duties as necessary for the care, and maintenance of the public display aquarium as well as the care, collection and feeding of the specimens used in the display, to include the feeding and care of stock animals in the wet lab. 
 
The NOAA Fisheries AKFSC Ted Stevens Marine Institute (TSMRI) houses a seawater aquaria system that is used for outreach and education and is open for public viewing. The TSMRI facility aquaria system consists of 5 individual tanks ranging in size from 100 to approximately 2500 gallons and include two touch tanks. These tanks are connected to the TSMRI sea water influent and effluent systems.  The combination and configuration of these tanks were selected to display a collection of species and habitats found in Alaskan waters for the general public.

The vendor will work in coordination with the Facilities Manager, Wet Lab Manager and Outreach Coordinator, and is responsible for all facets of the operation and maintenance of the TSMRI aquarium system including 
 
●    Collection and transport of indigenous marine invertebrate and fish specimens.  
●    Assist with keeping records to help maintain a collecting permit from the State of Alaska. This will require an annual inventory of specimens in the tanks by species and number and records of specimens collected during the year for the aquarium display.
●    Submit a report in digital format to the Auke Bay Laboratories Deputy Director by November 10th of each year.
●    Responsible for working with the deputy director prior to collection to ensure proper permitting is in place for transport permits if moving animals for use in the aquarium and keeping all necessary records to report on activities on those permits.
●    Assist in the development of exhibits – to include the knowledge of habitat and species necessary for accurate display representation and the compatibility of specimens sharing the tank. 
●    Responsible for feeding the specimens twice weekly – or as needed based on the specimens’ dietary needs. 
●    Responsible for obtaining the fish food and apportioning the sizes appropriately for each tank and its inhabitants.
●    Responsible for care and routine maintenance of exhibits and aquarium systems, including the removal of dead animals, monitoring water quality, monitoring the health of the remaining animals, and the regular cleaning and removal of algae from the viewing windows. Also responsible for preventive and corrective maintenance for the aquarium and associated seawater equipment.
●    Three times a year, or as needed, drain the tanks partially to facilitate a thorough scrubbing and removal of organic sediment from the substrate and cleaning of the tank walls.
●    Work closely with TSMRI staff to develop marine education outreach related to the aquariums.
●    Communicate exhibit requirements and supplies to TSMRI staff in a timely manner to ensure the needs of the specimens are met and tanks themselves are maintained.
●    Responsible for feeding and care of animals in the wet lab that are used to stock and replenish the Aquariums

An understanding of how to operate the complex TSMRI sea water system at the component-level and experience with obtaining and maintaining a state permit for collection and transportation of indigenous marine species is critical to maintain continuous functionality of the existing exhibit and wet lab aquaria. 

The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541990, with a Small Business size standard of $19.5M.

Casey W. Debenham is the only known professional aquarium curator in Juneau, Alaska, and has an in-depth understanding and experience on how to operate the complex TSMRI sea water systems. For over 4 years, Casey Debenham has been assisting with the indigenous marine invertebrate and fish specimen collections, providing routine care and maintenance of TSMRI aquarium systems and has provided knowledge and experience with the development of exhibits. 

The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract.  This Special Notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.  However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing.  Submissions are due no later than May 30, 2024 at 5pm Eastern Time.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses may be emailed to Christie.Lang@noaa.gov. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only can Casey W Debenham of Juneau, Alaska, can provide the requirements stated above.

Attachment
Redacted Single Source Determination