SPECIAL NOTICE
F -- NOAA - Sea Turtle Stranding Surveys
- Notice Date
- 1/13/2021 12:59:37 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA NORFOLK VA 23510 USA
- ZIP Code
- 23510
- Solicitation Number
- 1305M2-21-Q-00660
- Response Due
- 1/27/2021 1:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 02/11/2021
- Point of Contact
- Wendy Culbreth, Phone: 7576051263, Fax: 7574413786
- E-Mail Address
-
Wendy.Culbreth@noaa.gov
(Wendy.Culbreth@noaa.gov)
- Description
- The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division-Norfolk, VA office, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Valley Zoological Society to conduct year-round, sea turtle stranding surveys, three times/week along the Tamaulipas coastline of Mexico. Ensure that accurate GPS locations and detailed stranding data and photographs are collected for each documented stranding using a standardized form. Enhance knowledge of mortality factors operating on the population through thorough timely electronic reporting of results. Conduct field necropsies when feasible to further inform causes of stranding. The required work scope and deliverables will permit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division to facilitate the continuation of acquiring stranding surveys on the Tamaulipas, Mexico coastline to document mortality and to evaluate potential causative factors.� The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a business size standard of $16.5 million.� Period of Performance is 02/01/2021 - 01/31/2024 (Base and 2 Option Years) �Sole Source Justification In the U.S. an active and organized sea turtle stranding network has been developed and continues to be improved in order to quantify the seasonality, species composition, stock structure, life history stage, sex ratio, and distribution of turtles that wash ashore dead or alive. Due to its endangered status, strandings involving the Kemp�s ridley turtle receive a great deal of attention from federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing the Endangered Species Act as well as fishing industry interest whose fishing activities may be affected by management actions. The epicenter of Kemp�s ridley sea turtle nesting is located between La Pesca, in the state of Tamaulipas and Lechuguillas, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Stranding data collected since 2001 have shown that significant strandings are occurring, both during the nesting season and throughout the remainder of the year. Stranding data, collected in a systematic manner, and over the long-term, are a source of important information to inform conservation management to address threats and to provide information on mortality factors. The specified work will facilitate the continuation of stranding surveys on the Tamaulipas, Mexico coastline to document mortality and to evaluate potential causative factors.� Annual data are needed to understand the level of sea turtle strandings and to evaluate the trend(s) in strandings. Prior to the initiation of stranding surveys in Mexico in 2001, data in Mexico were anecdotal at best and were only recorded during the months of nesting activity at the principal nesting beaches, and then, only when time permitted. The Gladys Porter Zoo, Valley Zoological Society (VZS) is the only known source for this project for the following reasons: Under the direction of Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield, VZS has operated day to day activities of the bi-national program to protect the Kemp�s ridley nesting beach along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in conjunction with Mexico�s Instituto Nacional de la Pesca (INP) since 1989. During that time Dr. Burchfield has served as the U.S. Field Assistance Coordinator for the project. He has over 20 years of experience running this camp in close coordination and collaboration with Mexican fishing authorities. He has overseen the establishment of the camp, expansion and improvements at the main camp and satellite camps, and he has directed the daily survey and nest protection activities. The VZS holds the necessary Mexican, federal, and state permits required to conduct this work. The work cannot be done without these permits in hand. Dr. Burchfield is a member of the Kemp�s Ridley Working Group, a bi-national group responsible for implementing the recovery plan for this critically endangered species. He is a well-qualified zoologist and herpetologist and serves as Deputy Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo which is operated by the Valley Zoological Society. The geographic location of the Zoo, which is situated in Brownsville, TX on the U.S.-Mexico border, greatly facilitates the operation of this bi-national program. This proximity also enhances the efficiency and cost effectiveness of transporting personnel and equipment to the survey areas in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Special Notice This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities.� However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice.� Responses can be sent via e-mail to wendy.culbreth@noaa.gov. �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 conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 4:00 PM EDT on January 27, 2020.� The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements.� All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:� Announcement Number: 1305M2-21-Q-00660 Project Title: Sea Turtle Stranding Surveys DOC/NOAA Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number (DUNS). A DUNS may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505. The notice will remain open from 1/13/2021 to 1/27/2021.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/361d8c66fe164b5fa31a3581c505f2b1/view)
- Record
- SN05890951-F 20210115/210113230103 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's SAM Daily Index Page |