PRESOL | R | U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2010 FBO #3227
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan

Notice Date: 9/23/2010
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Contracting Office: US Fish & Wildlife Service - R7 Contracting & General Services1011 E. Tudor Rd, Mail Stop 171 Anchorage AK 99503
ZIP Code: 99503
Solicitation Number: 70181AQ121
Response Due: 10/7/2010
Archive Date: 9/23/2011
Point of Contact: Christie VandenDries Contract Specialist 9077863415 christie_vandendries@fws.gov;
E-Mail Address: Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
Small Business Set-Aside: Total Small Business
Description: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number for this request is 70181-A-Q121 and is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC 05-43) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This procurement is set-aside for small business. The applicable NAICS classification code is 541620. The small business size standard is $7.0M. The PSC code for this procurement is R408. LINE ITEMSPlease provide a detailed price schedule for the following items: CLIN 0001: Polar Bear Conservation Plan1.0 Job: $____________ CLIN0002: Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan1.0 Job: $_____________ Scope of WorkTitle: U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan Background: The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires the development of conservation plans for 'depleted' marine mammal species (16 U.S.C. 1383b(b)). For species that are also listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the same plan may also serve as a recovery plan. The MMPA requires that conservation plans be modeled after ESA recovery plans; therefore all MMPA conservation plans should follow the format of an ESA recovery plan, as described in the the joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010). The conservation plan is a strategic document used to direct conservation efforts and maintain conservation options for a species. The primary function of the conservation plan is to present a conservation strategy that will guide conservation actions in a systematic, cohesive way in order to meet the goal of the plan. Furthermore, the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears was concluded in Oslo, Norway, on 15 November 1973, and today has Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States of America as parties (range states). The five range states met in Troms, Norway, 17 - 19 March 2009, with an objective to provide an update on the conservation status for the polar bears, review implementation of the Agreement, identify useful polar bear conservation strategies and to discuss mechanisms for enhanced implementation of the Agreement. In light of the growing concern over polar bear conservation in relation to climate change and a number of other emerging issues, such as oil- and gas activities, shipping and tourism, the range states agreed to initiate a process that would lead to a coordinated approach to conservation and management strategies between the range states. A key aspect of this approach is the recognition that action plans should be developed at a national level leading up to development of a comprehensive Range States' action plan that addresses polar bear conservation in a coordinated manner. The PBSG (PBSG) regards the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears as the cornerstone and basis for all action plans. The range states shared a general expectation that significant progress would be made by the next biennial meeting in March 2011. At that time, all range states are expected to have submitted their national polar bear action plans to the PBSG for collation into a single comprehensive Range States' action plan that addresses polar bear conservation in a coordinated manner. The U.S. agreed to coordinate that effort. DescriptionDue to the importance of the U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and the Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan to polar bear management, we are seeking a contractor with specific experience regarding bear management. The contractor needs to possess experience with bear management in Alaska; experience with, or knowledge of, polar bears and/or related species, its threats, and/or its management; planning and facilitating workshops regarding bear management; communicating complex concepts in writing to a general audience, particularly regarding bear management; and experience/familiarity with the state, federal, and international agencies, industries and Native corporations that have a stake in polar bear conservation. Goals/Objectives 1. To develop and write a U.S. Conservation Plan Outline for polar bears in Alaska, in collaboration with FWS, and in accordance with the requirements of the MMPA, the ESA, and the joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010). The Conservation Plan Outline will be suitable for submittal to the PBSG, as well as for guiding the further development of the Final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan Outline will be submitted to the FWS by February 18 2011,2. To collate the various range states' polar bear action plans (as described above) into a comprehensive draft Range States' Action Plan for polar bears throughout their range, in collaboration with FWS and PBSG, and in accordance with the guidance of PBSG (specifically the Report of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) action plan workshop, Oslo, Norway - February 8-10, 2010). The draft Range States' Action Plan will be suitable for submittal to the PBSG by March 2011, and will contain all elements recommended by that body. The draft Range States' Action Plan will be submitted to the FWS by March 1, 2011.3. To develop and write a final comprehensive Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan by December 15, 2011, in collaboration with the PBSG and FWS, suitable for submittal to the PBSG. The final Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan will be developed in accordance with the guidance of PBSG (specifically the Report of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) action plan workshop, Oslo, Norway - February 8-10, 2010).4. To develop and write a final U.S. Conservation Plan for polar bears in Alaska, in collaboration with FWS, and in accordance with the requirements of the MMPA, the ESA, and the joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010). The final U.S. Conservation Plan for polar bears in Alaska will be submitted to the FWS by December 15, 2011. Scope: 1. Develop and write a draft outline for the U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan by Dec 17, 2010, suitable for submittal to the PBSG. 2. In order to obtain broader expert opinion, the contractor will conduct up to three public workshops to obtain best-available scientific information for the development of the U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan in October 2010 and January-February 2011. The FWS will provide all venues for the workshops. The contractor will develop all materials associated with the workshops, in collaboration with FWS, and the FWS will provide the final materials at the workshops. Workshops to be held in Anchorage, Alaska in October 2010, and during the Alaska Marine Science Symposium and the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage, Alaska in January and February 2011. The objective will be to solicit scientific and monitoring information from the public that is relevant to the development of the Conservation Plan outline. The contractor will consider this information and consult available literature and recognized experts to obtain best-available scientific information, including traditional knowledge and community knowledge where available, to develop the conservation plan outline for Alaska's polar bears. This includes identifying and inviting recognized experts, drafting an agenda, facilitating a workshop and providing the FWS with workshop minutes. For the purposes of the workshop, invitees should hold expertise in at least one of the following fields: the species, closely related species or ecosystems, or other relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, ecology, genetics); the threats contributing to the decline of the species; conservation or management approaches for this species or its habitat; traditional ecological knowledge or community knowledge of the species or its habitat; or local knowledge of species occurrences, threats or management. In addition to the workshops, the contractor is responsible for obtaining any additional expert opinion including traditional ecological knowledge and community knowledge where available and as deemed necessary to draft the conservation plan outline. All correspondence should be documented in an administrative record.3. Develop and write a final outline for the U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan Outline will be suitable for submittal to the PBSG, as well as for guiding the further development of the Final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan Outline will be submitted to the FWS by February 18, 2011. 4. To collate the various range states' polar bear action plans (as described above) into a comprehensive draft comprehensive Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan for polar bears throughout their range, in collaboration with FWS and PBSG, and in accordance with the guidance of PBSG (specifically the Report of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) action plan workshop, Oslo, Norway - February 8-10, 2010). The draft Range States' Action Plan will be suitable for submittal to the PBSG by March 2011, or as specified by the PBSG, and will contain all elements recommended by that body. The draft Range States' Action Plan will be submitted to the FWS by March 1, 2011.5. Organize and facilitate a final public workshop, as in #2 above, in May 2011 to present a synthesis of suggestions received for the U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan in previous workshops; prioritize objectives/action items, and identify responsible parties, time frames, and budgets to accomplish agreed upon objectives and action items.6. Develop and write a final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan for polar bears in Alaska, in collaboration with FWS, and in accordance with the requirements of the MMPA, the ESA, and the joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010). The final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan for polar bears in Alaska will be submitted to FWS by December 15, 2011.7. Develop and write a final Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan, in accordance with all direction received from the PBSG and FWS. To be submitted by December 15, 2011. Deliverables:The deliverables will include:1. Draft U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan outline- Dec 17, 2010.2. Four facilitated public workshops to solicit public input into the U.S. conservation planning process.3. Final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan outline- February 18, 2011.4. Draft Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan- March 1, 2011.5. Final U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan- December 15, 2011.6. Final Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan- December 15, 2011. Submitted U.S. Conservation Plan documents will comply with the requirements of the MMPA, the ESA, and the joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010). Submitted Range States' Polar Bear Action Plan documents will comply with all guidance provided by the PBSG (including the Report of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) action plan workshop, Oslo, Norway - February 8-10, 2010). The following guidance documents are included as attachments to this scope of work and can be located at: http://www.fws.gov/filedownloads/ftp_vandenc under folder 70181AQ121. Attachments:1. Joint FWS/NMFS Interim Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Planning Guidance Version 1.3 (June 2010)2. Report of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) action plan workshop, Oslo, Norway - February 8-10, 2010. DELIVERYDelivery will be made to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 ATTN: Jim Wilder. The delivery schedule has been detailed above. CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS:The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition:52.212-01, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial52.212-02, Evaluation-Commercial Items. Award will be made to the quote providing the best value to the Government based on past performance, technical capabilities, and price. Evaluation Criteria for U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and Polar Bear Range States' Comprehensive Circumpolar Polar Bear Action PlanThe Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. A best value determination will be made. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:1.Technical Capabilities/Experience 2.Past Performance3.PricePast Performance and Technical Capabilities/ExperiencePast performance capability shall be evaluated on offerors' references from previous work. Offerors responding to this solicitation must provide evidence demonstrating past performance and technical ability to perform the tasks within the scope of work, to include providing recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items or other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers, and other relevant information).In addition, offerors must have demonstrated experience in the following areas:1. Experience with, or knowledge of, polar bears or other bear species in Alaska, threats to polar bears, and bear management, particularly managing bear-human conflicts (e.g., a list of relevant published manuscripts authored by the contractor or relevant field work).2. Experience planning and facilitating workshops on managing bears, particularly bear-human conflicts.3. Ability to communicate complex concepts in writing to a general audience, particularly regarding bear management.4. Experience and familiarity with the state, federal, and international agencies, industries, NGOs, and native corporations that have a stake in polar bear conservation.The contractor shall provide a separate and detailed technical proposal and price proposal. The contractor shall also ensure all documentation provided can be used to determine the contractor's potential success in completing this contract. The Government may or may not check some or all past performance references and federal past performance databases.The Government intends to make a best value determination and award to the contractor that provides the overall best value based on price and nonprice factors. Furthermore, the Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint.52.212-03, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial ItemsOfferors must be registered in ORCA and provide the information requested in this clause. To register, please go to: https://orca.bpn.gov/52.212-04, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items52.219-6, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-36, 52.225-1, 52.225-03, Alt 1, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.222-41, 52.222-42 POINT OF CONTACT:This combined synopsis/solicitation is a request for competitive quotes. Offerors interested in submitting a quote, or requiring additional information on this solicitation should contact: Christie VandenDries, Contracting Officer U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (907) 786-3415 phone, (907) 786-3923 fax, email: Christie_VandenDries@fws.gov PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:Quotes must be received at the following address, via fax or mail, prior to the closing date of this solicitation. Closing date of this solicitation is October 7, 2010 at 2:00pm: US Fish and Wildlife ServiceContracting and General Services1011 East Tudor Rd, MS 171Anchorage, AK 99503Ph: (907) 786-3415Fax: (907) 786-3923Email: Christie_VandenDries@fws.gov
Web Link: FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOI/FWS/CGSWO/70181AQ121/listing.html)
Place of Performance: Address: Anchorage, Alaska; Zip Code: 995036199
Record: SN02293748-W 20100925/100923234814-2596d53e76d9180a07d3c46c0bf6e44b (fbodaily.com)
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R -- U.S. Polar Bear Conservation Plan and Polar Bear Range States' Action Plan