MA Commercial Fisheries Revolving Groundfish ACE Leasing Fund

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) is soliciting bids for the administration of a pilot Groundfish Revolving ACE Leasing Fund (RALF) program. The goal of the RALF is to support the viability of smaller-scale active groundfish operations in Gloucester, Massachusetts by providing low-cost, no-interest loans for leasing Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE). MA DMF is seeking to contract with one or more Gloucester-based groundfish sectors to administer the RALF. Bidders must be pre-qualified as an active Gloucester-based groundfish sector approved by NMFS to operate in the Northeast Multispecies fishery for Fishing Year 2016. The initial contract term is from the execution date through June 30, 2017, with up to five one-year renewal options. Key performance measures include the number of sector members who have leased ACE and repaid, the number of jobs maintained/created, and the extent to which lease participants have access to capital to ensure business viability.

The contracting opportunity is limited to the state of Massachusetts, specifically within the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. The funding for the RALF is contingent on receipt of a federal grant and other funds. MA DMF may apportion funds among multiple awarded contracts based on the size of each approved contractor's RALF-eligible sector membership. Incumbent fisheries organizations or administrators with relevant experience may have an advantage in this opportunity. The contract does not specify an award value or budget range, but indicates that the selected administrator(s) will receive a percentage-based administrative fee to operate the leasing fund.