COVID Data Study with University of Texas Medical Branch - Seafood Workers in the Gulf of Mexico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to University of Teax Medical Branch (UTMB) to obtain proprietary data in the form of two reports and 20 English-language, de-identified transcripts of interviews with multilingual seafood workers. NIOSH’s Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies (CMSHS) promotes collaborative research and public health practice to identify and implement solutions that address unique hazards within the seafood industry. Historically, NIOSH CMSHS has engaged with the seafood industry in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. However, specific fisheries, onshore and offshore worksite operations, and workforce demographics vary widely by US region. Now, NIOSH CMSHS needs to expand its activities to cover the diverse seafood workforce in the Gulf Coast region, as they have unique characteristics and challenges. Currently, NIOSH researchers aim to examine the experiences of Gulf Coast seafood workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how workplace and social factors affect their health and quality of life. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) conducts research with multilingual and multicultural seafood workers in the US Gulf Coast region. The UTMB research team has expertise in qualitative research methods and possesses the specific linguistic and cultural skills necessary to appropriately engage with diverse seafood workers. For example, many Gulf Coast seafood workers are racial and ethnic minorities, as well as migrants whose first languages can include Spanish or Vietnamese. These datasets are maintained solely by the University of Texas Medical Branch. This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested parties may identify their interest and submit documentation of their capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responses received within seven (7) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any response should be emailed to the appropriate point of contact at [email protected] by 11:00 AM on 24 May 2021.