SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Surveys of Ice-Associated Seals in Russian Far East
- Notice Date
- 5/25/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541620
— Environmental Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98115-6349
- ZIP Code
- 98115-6349
- Solicitation Number
- NFFS7300-10-12372
- Point of Contact
- Mimi Antonio Hetzel, Phone: 206-526-6032
- E-Mail Address
-
Mimi.A.Hetzel@noaa.gov
(Mimi.A.Hetzel@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NOTICE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. The information provided in response to this notice will assist the Government in identifying sources that are capable of furnishing the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) with the requirements below. The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), conducts research and monitoring on bearded, spotted, ringed, and ribbon seals, species that are protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and considered for listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). All four species are associated with sea ice during parts of the year, especially during their reproductive periods. Major breeding areas of all four species are found in the western Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk, within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation. The population sizes in these areas, which are fundamental numbers for evaluating the species' status under the ESA, are extremely imprecise, outdated, or simply unknown. This work will provide critically needed estimates of the abundance of ice-associated seals in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk. Aerial photographic and multi-spectral surveys of seals on sea ice will be designed and conducted. The multi-spectral imagery will be analyzed for numbers and densities of seals, by species. NMML scientists will combine these results with independent estimates of the proportions of the populations in the water during the aerial surveys (and unavailable for counting) to obtain estimates of total abundance with adequate precision for ESA status evaluations and detection of future population changes in response to climate warming and loss of sea ice. Approximately 23,500 km of aerial, multi-spectral survey track line will be required in a spring (April-May 2011) survey period. The exact target for track lengths and locations will be determined jointly by the contractor and NMML scientists in a survey design process that considers typical density estimates of these species found in similar surveys conducted recently in U.S. waters. Two workshops will be held to facilitate and review the survey design process. The contractor must provide a team with demonstrated experience in multi-spectral (e.g., high-resolution visible, infrared, and ultraviolet) remote sensing of seals on sea ice, and a proven ability to implement a systematic and comprehensive survey of a large region such as an Arctic or sub-Arctic sea. The contractor shall be required to submit draft and final reports describing the methods and results of the surveys, as well as copies of all data including survey images, track line navigation data, and associated survey covariates such as weather conditions. The contractor must have personnel who are fluent in spoken and written Russian and English, familiar with the vocabulary of marine mammalogy, experienced in the methods for surveying seals, and familiar with the geography of the Russian Far East. The contractor must have a demonstrated ability to obtain the appropriate Russian permits. The NMML does not have the resources or the personnel on staff to conduct this type of work in Russian waters nor are U.S. aircraft and vessels allowed to work in Russian waters. In addition, the contractor will be responsible for assisting NMML scientists in the presentation of scientific information at Russian meetings. Equipment and Materials: The contractor shall provide all equipment and materials required to perform the operations and services. Observation/Monitoring: The contractor will be responsible for: 1. Convening and hosting a two-day workshop on survey design. NMML scientists will meet with the contractor team to optimize the survey coverage, balancing the need for statistical precision with known or estimated factors for capabilities of available survey aircraft, resolution and coverage of remote sensing devices, typical weather patterns, and patterns of seal behavior (haul-out times). This workshop should be held, if possible, in conjunction with a U.S.-Russia Area 5 Marine Mammals Working Group meeting in Kaliningrad, Russia, October 2010, that will be attended by NMML scientists involved in this project (travel costs for NMML scientists will be reduced by combining the meetings). 2. Providing a draft survey plan based on the outcome of the workshop and subsequent calculations of expected survey coverage and precision (due July 31, 2011). NMML scientists will review the draft survey plan and provide requests for revision by September 30, 2011. 3. Conducting a comprehensive survey in April and May, 2012, of the Sea of Okhotsk and western Bering Sea ice-covered areas. 4. Providing a draft report on the 2012 survey, including any technical or logistical difficulties encountered and proposed solutions feasible for implementation in future surveys (October 15, 2012). 5. Convening and hosting a second two-day workshop in Russia to review the results of the survey and ensure a thorough understanding by NMML scientists of the details of the survey and image processing methods (October or November 2012) 6. Preparing a draft final report describing the methods and results of the surveys, as well as copies of all data including survey images, track line navigation data, and associated survey covariates such as weather conditions (April 30, 2013). NMML scientists will review the report for clarity and accuracy, and provide comments to the contractor (June 30, 2013). 7. Preparing a final report on the surveys (August 31, 2013). 8. Assisting NMML (U.S.) scientists with presentations of the study plans, results, and related information to meetings in Russia, including the regularly-scheduled Holarctic Conferences on Marine Mammals. Note: Contractor is responsible for obtaining any aircraft, vessels, permits, and other logistical needs necessary to successfully fulfill the requirements of this statement of work. Travel: The contractor shall provide all travel for all field activities including mobilization, aerial surveys, and demobilization. The Government will provide travel for NMML scientists to attend workshops for survey design and review. Milestones: Oct. 2010 Convene survey design workshop in Kaliningrad, Moscow, or St. Petersburg. Jan. - Jul. 2011 Prepare and submit draft survey plan Sep. 2011 NMML reviews and provides comments on draft survey plan Oct. - Mar. 2011-2 Prepare for aerial surveys Apr. - May. 2012 Conduct aerial surveys of Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea Oct. - Nov. 2012 Provide draft report and convene review workshop on survey methods and results Apr. 2013 Provide draft final report Jun. 2013 NMML reviews and provides comments on draft final report Aug. 2013 Provide final report for publication as Alaska Fisheries Science Center NOAA Technical Memorandum All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). In addition, completion of the online representation and certifications application (ORCA) is required. NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded on the basis of responses received to this notice. Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative and documentation to support your firm's capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm's name, address, point of contact, telephone number, DUNS Number, CCR Cage Number, business type and size, i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, and so forth. Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to perform the services as specified above. Detailed information must be submitted by email to the address noted herein by 2:00 PM local Seattle time (PST), June 8, 2010. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE HONORED.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/WASC/NFFS7300-10-12372/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea (ice-covered areas) and other parts of Russia, Kaliningrad, Non-U.S., Russian Federation
- Record
- SN02158969-W 20100527/100525234613-acf29fa51e66ee179688cb9d55b4337f (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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