Outreach Support Seabird Protection

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS OBJECTIVE: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS FOR WRITTEN INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR QUOTES AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. In preparation for a future procurement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is performing market research to determine potential sources. Based on market research results, NOAA reserves the right to set this action aside for small businesses or award as a sole source procurement. This announcement is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or award a contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow up information requests. The proposed project may result in a contract. TITLE: Seabird Protection Network Outreach . 1. BACKGROUND National Marine Sanctuaries were authorized by the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Through this act, the Secretary of Commerce can designate an area with significant cultural or biological resources as a Marine Sanctuary and provide these areas and their resources with special protection. Marine Sanctuaries are administered by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The goal of the National Marine Sanctuary System is to protect and manage these marine resources through research, education, conservation and stewardship. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones Sanctuary) is responsible for implementing the Seabird Protection Network (Network), formerly the Seabird Colony Protection Program. The Point Reyes - Point Sur Coastal Chapter, the founding Chapter of the Network has been implementing a regional action plan since November 2006. The Network originated from one of several restoration projects funded by the T/V Command Oil Spill Restoration Fund. The geographic boundaries of the Point Reyes - Point Sur Coastal Chapter extend from Point Reyes, Marin County to Point Sur, Monterey County. The T/V Command Oil Spill Natural Resource Trust Fund formed as a result of the damages incurred. Trustee agencies responsible for the injured resources developed a restoration plan to guide the best use of funds to address injuries to seabirds. The Network, was funded to restore Common Murre colonies from Point Reyes to Point Sur. This was one of several projects funded by the T/V Command Oil Spill Restoration Fund. Through a coordinated effort, the Farallones Sanctuary was chosen to conduct outreach, education, enforcement and management while U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex would carry out the colony monitoring component of the Network. To initiate the project, the Farallones Sanctuary along with Network staff held a workshop in November 2005. Workshop guests included representatives from agencies and organizations that study, manage and protect ocean wildlife, including seabird researchers, enforcement officers and educators. The goals of the workshop were to identify: 1) The greatest impacts from human disturbance to seabirds; 2) Methods to increase public awareness about sensitive seabird colonies and roosts along the central California coast; and 3) Highlight opportunities for agencies and organizations to work collaboratively to decrease or eliminate human impacts to nesting and roosting seabirds. Workshop participants reviewed monitoring data from central California seabird colonies; discussed ways to coordinate enforcement and brainstormed ideas to address human disturbance to seabird colonies. Workshop attendees also developed potential long-term strategies for reducing human-related disturbances along the California coast. The results of the workshop became the basis of the action plan that was released in November 2006. The goal of the Seabird Protection Network is to minimize disturbance from human activities (i.e., airplanes, boats) near areas where breeding and roosting seabirds are commonly found along the central California coast. The Network takes a multi-faceted approach to achieving this goal. The three primary components of the Network are: 1) Outreach and Education; 2) Enforcement and Coordinated Management; and 3) Monitoring. The Farallones Sanctuary is the lead agency implementing the Point Reyes - Point Sur Coastal Chapter and conducts outreach and education to government agencies at all jurisdictional scales; as well as ocean and coastal users at a multitude of venues, and strives to: • Increase awareness of the potential adverse impacts surrounding human-seabird interactions while offering safe methods of observing seabirds during recreational or commercial activities; • Foster information exchange at key events and venues, such as association meetings, conferences, air and boat shows and ecotourism vendors; and • Raise awareness of decision makers (federal, state and local agencies and commissions) of the threats that human disturbance poses to breeding seabird colonies and the best methods to reduce and eliminate these disturbances. 2. SCOPE OF WORK Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary's Seabird Protection Network seeks two (2) consultants to implement the Seabird Protection Network Action Plan. The consultants will work with a team that includes a Program Manager, Trustees, and Sanctuary Staff. TASK A. OUTREACH Outreach Specialist An effort estimated at approximately 1248 hours, or an average of 24 hours per week during a 365-day period to fulfill the following subtasks: • Build a constituency of stakeholders through: 1) online social networking sites, outreach articles for print media and the Seabird Protection Network E-Newsletters; and 2) conducting outreach to target audiences (pilots, boaters/kayakers, general ocean users) of the Seabird Protection Network. • Schedule and give at least 8 pilot presentations and a minimum of 6 boater/kayak presentations. Prepare and present information on seabird conservation, wildlife disturbance and the Seabird Protection Network. • Engage pilots, boaters, kayakers and their associations, organizations, and clubs through the distribution of 2 E-newsletters. • Use multi-media (video) to increase information exchange with individuals within each target audience. Brainstorm, prepare and post 4 videos on FaceBook and YouTube. • Attend targeted events (i.e. sportsmen's conventions, boat shows, airshows). Table and/or provide information. If attendance at an event is not warranted, contact organizers of event and provide information regarding current regulations and sensitive seabird colonies. • Support Network partners by tabling or providing information at their events. • Prepare and send annual mailings to boaters and pilots o Prepare and send subsequent mailings when incidents are reported • Respond to requests for outreach materials. • Assist with other duties as necessary to further the outreach component of the Action Plan • Manage the contact database (email and mailing address) of stakeholders, trustees, technical advisors and other interested parties. Databases include 1.) Program contacts; and 2.) Activity contacts (i.e. airports, kayaking companies, harbors, etc.). • Manage the Facebook page • Research and maintain at least 10 subscriptions to pilot and boater magazines/newsletters/E-newsletters (5 boater and 5 pilot subscriptions). • Assists with drafting white papers and articles in collaboration with experts. • Work with education staff to incorporate seabird disturbance issues into student curricula. • Assist team in the development of brochures and fact sheets about human disturbance to marine wildlife. • Ensure that the products from the Communications Consultants are implemented. • Prepare situation reports after all significant milestone or event • Work with the Program Coordinator to prepare quarterly reports to Program Manager • Work with the Program Manager and Coordinator to prepare yearly reports Minimum Qualification Requirements: • Undergraduate degree in marine science, marine biology, environmental science, political science, communications, marketing or a closely related field. • At least 4 years experience in community organizing, stakeholder engagement or public outreach. • At least 2 years experience with managing or protecting seabirds. • At least 1 year experience with coordinating between and working with state and federal government agencies. • Demonstrated ability to speak publically (must show a record of speaking engagements and presentations). • Excellent written communication skills including (must show two work products). • Experience working with boaters and/or pilots. • Demonstrated knowledge of seabird conservation efforts in California. • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Filemaker, InDesign and IMovie. • Must be willing to fly in a government aircraft (C0-130 and Twin Otter) and complete all necessary training to do so, including underwater egress "dunker" training. • Must have a valid drivers license and access to a motor vehicle. • Some travel within the Bay Area, the State, and outside the State on evenings and weekends will be required. • Must clear NACI background check. TASK B PROGRAM COORDINATION This task will be a full time effort for a Program Coordinator with the following subtasks: • Maintain and track incident reporting, update forms as needed • Plan, coordinate and schedule trainings for incident reporting forms • Conduct aerial surveys as needed • Ensure a complete overhaul of pilot guide insert, and create maps as necessary • Ensure completion of a boater guide to seabird protection • Develop and oversee installation of permanent signage as needed • Work with Outreach Specialist as needed to implement the outreach component of the program • Track outreach strategies in the Action Plan and ensure implementation • Work with other agencies on effective expansion of the Network • Coordinate all activities related to timely implementation of all the tasks in the boater outreach grant. • Ensure all tasks and reporting are completed on time • Work with Program Manager to coordinate an annual meeting • Work with Monitoring Program to prioritize places for buoys • Determine type of buoys and costs • Draft contract for buoy installation and maintenance • Assist with Nautical Chart Plan • Perform other duties as necessary and/or directed by the Program Manager or Sanctuary Superintendent to implement the Network Action Plan. • Work with Outreach Specialist to ensure that the products from the Communications Consultants are properly implemented. • Develop flow/content and write copy for website on at least a quarterly basis • Maintain website • Prepare situation reports after all significant milestone or event • Prepare quarterly reports to Program Manager • Work with the Program Manager to prepare yearly reports Minimum Qualification Requirements: • Undergraduate degree in marine science, marine biology, environmental science, political science, or a closely related field. • At least 5 years experience in project management, with a successful track record of effective program implementation and timely deliverables. • At least 3 years experience with coordinating between and working with state and federal government agencies. • At least 2 years experience with managing or protecting seabirds. • Experience in community organizing, stakeholder engagement or public outreach. • Demonstrated experience developing conservation/outreach products such as brochures, signs, posters, fact sheets (must show two work products). • Excellent written communication skills with a demonstrated knowledge of the science or conservation policy field (must show one written document such as a letter, science or policy paper/report, or grant proposal). • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Filemaker, InDesign and IMovie, and have general knowledge of ArcGIS and Dreamweaver. • Must be willing to fly in a government aircraft (C0-130 and Twin Otter) and complete all necessary training to do so, including underwater egress "dunker" training. • Must have a valid drivers license and access to a motor vehicle. • Some travel within the Bay Area, the State, and outside the State on evenings and weekends will be required. • Must clear NACI background check. In addition to the required qualifications, the following qualifications of both the Specialist and Coordinator are preferred: • Experience with grant writing and reporting. • Master's degree. A detailed work plan will be provided for each consultant upon awarding the contract. TRAVEL: The contract includes a local and long distance travel allowance of $5000. 3. PROGRAM COORDINATION The Contractor shall provide overall management pertaining to all Contractor technical and contractual support, including state and local requirements, insurance, and liability coverage for its employees. The Contractor shall be responsible for adherence to all federal, state, local, and site-specific safety regulations. 4. SCHEDULES AND OFFICE SETTING The contractors will be based at the Sanctuary office in the Presidio of San Francisco, California unless other arrangements are agreed upon, and will be provided with desk space, computer and software, access to phone, internet, fax, copy machine, etc. The employee is expected to be available during normal business hours and meet monthly with the sanctuary staff. No overtime is authorized under this contract. Periodic travel will be required. An alternate work schedule may be requested and approved by the Project Leader, provided the contractor's work hours do not total more than those specified in a task order. Work schedules must include working within the core hours of the sanctuary, which are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All contractors must complete all mandatory training (Safety, IT Security, Defensive Driving, etc.) and comply with DOC and NOAA policies and procedures. All programs and materials developed under this contract will be the sole property of GFNMS, NOAA, Department of Commerce and US government. 5. GOVERNMENT VEHICLES Routine transportation requirements shall be the responsibility of the contractor. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The base period of work for this contract will be 12 months from October 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013. Tasks listed in the request for proposals are for the Year 1 services. This contract will have 3 additional option years subject to appropriation. Funding for the optional years may necessitate reduced or expanded hours, depending on the funding. Best estimates are provided in the Independent Government Cost Estimate. Option year funding is not guaranteed and may not be available. Tasks listed in the request for proposals are for the minimum amount of deliverables for the period of performance. 7. IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of 48 CFR 1352.239-73 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. The government will provide the necessary computer equipment and information to perform this contract. All work must be performed upon government furnished equipment and if addition hardware and/or software is needed, the Contractor must request the additional requirements from the COR. The contractor will be using government furnished equipment (GFE), which is currently covered by an existing government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) package. QUALIFICATION STATEMENT RESPONSE: The vendor's response to this Synopsis shall include the following information: 1. Vendor's name, address, point of contact, phone number and email address. 2. Vendor's interest in quoting on the solicitation when it is issued. 3. Vendor's qualifications and capability to meet all of the listed requirements. 4. Evidence of vendor's capability to execute and successfully perform comparable work in the past (list of customers). 5. Vendor's small business category and business size. The applicable NAICS code is 813312 with a size standard of $14.0. You must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be eligible to receive an award from any future Government solicitation. For additional information, please visit the CCR website at htts://www.bpn.gov/ccr/. You must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) to be eligible to receive a future award from any Government solicitation. For additional information, please visit the ORCA website at https//orca.bpn.gov. Any interested vendors should submit capability statement with information that clearly demonstrates their capabilities to provide the services described above in reference to Sources Sought _____________. The vendor's capability statement is merely an aid to NOAA's market research efforts. NOAA will consider all comments, supportive or critical, but may or may not use these individual comments. Standard vendor brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to the Sources Sought Synopsis. Qualification Statements will be treated separately from, and will have no bearing on, any subsequent evaluation of proposals submitted in response to any resulting future formal Request for Quotes. NOAA will not pay for information or comments provided and will not recognize any costs associated with submission of comments. Respondents are advised that NOAA is under no obligation to provide respondents with any feedback on the information received. Responses to the above should be submitted emailed to [email protected], Mark E. Caban at 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3328 no later than 5:00 PM MDT, Friday, July 29, 2012. EMAIL IS THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR RECEIVING RESPONSES TO THIS SYNOPSIS. Point of Contact: Mark E. Caban