F -- FISHERY OBSERVER PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES

Notice Date

November 20, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Administrative Support Center, Norfolk Federal Building, 200 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA, 23510

ZIP Code

23510

Solicitation Number

EA1330-02-RP-0002

Response Due

January 25, 2002

Point of Contact

Lynne Phipps, Contract Specialist, Phone (757) 441-6881, Fax (757) 441-3786, Email lynne.b.phipps@noaa.gov -- Melvyn Desjarlais, Supv. Contract Specialist, Phone (757) 441-6647, Fax (757) 441-3786, Email melvyn.a.desjarlais@noaa.gov

Description

The Eastern Administrative Support Center (EASC) intends to acquire for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) contractor services to collect scientific, management, regulatory compliance and economic data for fisheries by placing observers aboard U.S. domestic fishing vessels in the Northwest Atlantic. This data, which cannot be obtained either dockside or while aboard government research vessels, is necessary for the management of fisheries occurring in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas beyond the EEZ. Observers are also deployed to foreign fishing vessels participating in joint venture operations with American vessels. This work requires deploying certified observers to meet coverage levels prescribed in sea day schedules developed by NMFS/NEFSC. The contractor shall support, as specified, the observers during each phase of their employment period, including training, briefing, travel, accomplishing requisite land duties, data collection on fishing vessels, and debriefings. Vessels operate out of ports from North Carolina to Maine. Typically, trips are 1-14 days in duration. The vessels operate in ocean waters, 3-200 miles offshore in all weather conditions. Observers shall collect scientific, management, compliance and other data at sea through interviews of vessels captains and crew, observations of fishing operations, measurements of selected portions of the catch and fishing gear and collection of samples. For most domestic fisheries, observer coverage is mandated by several Fishery Management Plans (FMP), Take Reduction Plans (TRP), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Management and Conservation Act (MSFMCA) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). Data collected once per trip includes data on the vessel, crew, fishing practices and cost of operation. The contractor shall provide all necessary logistical and administrative support to deploy observers to ports from which fishing vessels depart. This includes making travel arrangements, providing travel advances for observers, reimbursing vessel operators for observer meals, and reimbursing observers for travel expenses. The contractor shall also be responsible for the data entry required for the data collected during the trips. The contract period of performance will be for one (1) year with four one-year options, to start on or about May 1, 2002. The anticipated issue date for the solicitation is December 10, 2001 with a closing date on or about January 25, 2002. A pre-proposal conference is planned, on or about January 9, 2002. All responsible offerors may submit a proposal that will be considered by the agency. Requests for the solicitation must be in writing, e-mail, or by fax. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Fax number (757) 441-3786.=20

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/EASC/EA1330-02-RP-0002/listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011123/FSOL005.HTM (D-324 SN5134L5)