This publication serves as a notice of intent to procure services for the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) located in Miami, FL on a sole source basis with the University of The Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Way, Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802-6004. The government intends to acquire services using FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Proposed contractor will conduct benthic and fish monitoring surveys conducted in Puerto Rico in 2014. This contract concerns the benthic and fish monitoring that will be conducted in Puerto Rico in 2014 using a stratified random sampling design throughout shallow water coral reefs (0-30m). The National Coral Reef Monitoring Plan ( NCRMP) will monitor coral cover, coral community structure, rugosity, incidence of bleaching, and associated measures of fish community structure (abundance, diversity, size, etc .). Benthic and fish monitoring will be conducted on a biennial basis in the U.S. Atlantic/Caribbean. The University of Virgin Islands will be responsible for completing 40 site surveys around the islands of Culebra and Vieques off Puerto Rico's east coast. The data collected during this mission and in partnership with NOAA will be critical to the success of the NOAA Coral Reef conservation Program (CRCP) The proposed contractor is uniquely placed to provide these services. No other organization in the region owns and operates vessels that meet the specifications of the project. The University has skilled and trained SCUBA diving personnel that have experience using the protocols of this project. They have the equipment and supplies necessary to fulfill this project. They are the only research group that can easily conduct day-trips to Culebra and Vieques without overnight travel expenses (lodging, per diem, boat dockage, etc.). Additionally, UVI personnel are proficient in dealing with data collection, data entry and quality control protocols. The University of the Virgin Islands possesses a unique suite of equipment, personnel skills and experience to ensure successful completion of this complex and demanding project. Tasks: All tasks must be completed between June 2014 and October 2014. The contractor shall provide 2 contract vessels (and gas) and drivers for the field work. The contractor shall provide 6 skilled and trained scientific divers for the field work. The contractor shall provide filled SCUBA cylinders and dive equipment for all UVI personnel during the field work The contractor shall conduct research dives in support of NCRMP monitoring activities Divers must be trained to perform benthic and fish monitoring activities in accordance with the NCRMP program written protocols Divers must be able to collect water samples in accordance with the Ocean Acidification written protocols The contractor shall ensure all contractor collected data from the field work, including QA/QC, is entered by the end of the field season (October) and provided to the NOAA Biogeography Program for inclusion in the Program Database Delivery All field work tasks must be delivered by October 31, 2014 The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) of this procurement is 541990. The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract with period of performance commencing approximately July 01, 2014. It is the Government's belief that only the University of Virgin Islands can complete this project. This notice represents the only official notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, all submittals received by the due set forth in this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be emailed to
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