Description
The NMFS intends to award a sole source purchase order to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) in San Juan, PR., to coordinate the work required by the SEFSC to conduct a census of commercial fishermen in Puerto Rico. The CFMC is uniquely qualified to coordinate the work required by the SEFSC to conduct a census of commercial fishermen in Puerto Rico, particularly considering that local fisheries agencies are members of the Council. To our knowledge, no other organization exists which is capable of carrying out the necessary work and to mobilize the required coordinated effort of commercial fishers, fishing organizations, and territorial fishery management scientists and officials in the performance of this project. The government is not aware of any other entity that could provide an equivalent combination of academic and experience without delays in the implementation of the project. The Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA, particularly National Standard 8, NS 8), National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), and Executive Order (EO) 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations) require that social impact analyses be conducted when federal agencies propose new regulations. Due to the lack of manpower to conduct a full-blown fishermen census, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) is seeking support to collect socio-economic data to assist in the preparation of fishery management plans and amendments in the U.S. Caribbean. While earlier censuses of Puerto Rican commercial fishermen are available, these censuses are now outdated and are inadequate to meet the new legal definitions and requirements put forth by MSA, NEPA, and EO 12898. Because of specific nature of these legal mandates, there is an urgent need to conduct new research consistent with these new definitions and guidelines. Assessments of social impacts on fishing communities cannot be conducted with confidence without the ability to identify the current participants. The objective of the proposed work is to conduct a census of commercial fishermen in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to: a) assess the economic contribution of the commercial fishing to the overall Puerto Rican economy and b) investigate the economic impacts of fishery regulations on coastal communities. The proposed project will have the following components: -Development of survey instrument -Fieldwork. -Estimation of impacts and documentation The final task of the project will include the following subtasks: -Database design, data entry and quality control.. -Report writing and production. The anticipated performance period is date of award through August 31, 2008. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within ten (10) days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with 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. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. Interested firms shall include, in writing, the company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and business size; a statement regarding their capabilities and qualifications, and any additional supporting literature. Submissions received in response to this notice shall be evaluated based on the technical ability and demonstrated past experience to meet the requirements described in the description section above. Vendor must provide a DUNS number (http://www.dnb.com/us/)and register with the Central Contractors Registration (http://www.ccr.gov/) to further qualify for this contract. Include DUNS number on written quote.