Study Fleet Data Collection and Reporting Services for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center

The Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norfolk, VA is soliciting quotes, on behalf of the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).The NEFSC Cooperative Research Study Fleet Program, along with other research branches within the NEFSC, requires Contractor support in one or more areas of scientific investigation.  The Study Fleet will require services of commercial vessels fishing for monkfish, groundfish, herring, mackerel, squid or other fisheries.This is a requirement for vessel support for Northeast Cooperative Research Branch Study Fleet activities in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries.  The current research topics relate to enhanced stock monitoring through the use of electronic reporting technology and testing, tracking the use of more selective fishing gears and practices, linking oceanographic and socioeconomic factors to fishery models, and

real-time data transmission.  Supported Study Fleet research projects for this contract will require participation by Northeast and Mid-Atlantic commercial vessels fishing participating in ground fish, herring, squid, mackerel and other fisheries.  The Contractor shall assist in collecting and reporting tow-by-tow data through an electronic logbook system.  This will be accomplished through use of the NEFSC Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software (FLDRS).  The Contractor will also support the use and development of oceanographic data collection systems consistent with the vessel’s normal fishing practices, real-time data transmission systems, and the testing of new hardware, software, and data collection protocols.  Work shall be on a schedule consistent with the vessel’s fishing practices.  The planned period of performance is for a base period of one (1) year and four (4) one year options.The RFQ will be solicited as a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.  The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the acquisition is 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).  The small business size standard is 1000 employees.  The solicitation and proposed fixed-price contract will be issued utilizing FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5, Test Program For Certain Commercial Items.  The Award(s) will be made to the quoter(s) whose quote meets all Statement of Work (SOW) and solicitation requirements and is judged to be the best value, by an integrated assessment of price and other evaluation factors listed in the Request for Quote (RFQ).The anticipated award date is July/August 2020.  Hard copies of the RFQ will not be issued.  The solicitation will be available electronically approximately on or about May 4, 2020 via Contract Opportunities at beta.sam.gov (formerly known as FedBizopps).  It is incumbent upon contractors to monitor beta.sam.gov for the release of the RFQ, Statement of Work, and all subsequent amendments.  To be eligible for award, quoters must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov; quoters must also obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and provide it with the quote.  All responsible sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency.  For information concerning this acquisition, please forward inquiries via e-mail to Roberta Smith, Contract Specialist, at Roberta.H.Smith@noaa.gov.