Support for Sea Turtle and Recreational Fishing Interaction and Response and Pier Partner in Virginia

This is a NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE ORDER and is not a request for competitive proposals. NOAA's Greater Atlantic Regional Office, in Gloucester MA, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with the Virginia Aquarium in to respond to sea turtles with hook interactions, provide veterinary and supportive care for hooked turtles that need continuing care and evaluate methods and equipment for on-scene screening of turtles for potential early release. They will collect STSSN data and apply appropriate tags. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 712130 with a business size standard of $27.5 million. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is assigned responsibility for implementing the Endangered Species Act and providing protection to and work for the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Listed sea turtles strand on beaches and entangle in fishing gear, and Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) responders document such events and complete reports for submission to NMFS. NMFS coordinates the STSSN. Listed sea turtles interact with hook and line fishing gear, and response is necessary to safely and effectively remove the hooks. In response to a significant number of documented hook-and-line interactions with sea turtles and after consultation with NMFS, the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center implemented the Virginia Pier Partner Program in 2014. The goal of the Pier Partner Program was twofold, namely to collect data about recreational fishery interactions and to educate recreational fishermen about the best practices for notification and response to a sea turtle interaction. Since 2014, the number of reported sea turtle interactions in recreational fishing gear has increased each year. Interactions in May 2016 are the highest yet. VAQS staff are the only ones that can perform this work. VAQS serves as the only STSSN facility in Virginia. Outreach materials previously distributed by both VAQS and NMFS give the VAQS hotline number to call when sea turtle hookings occur in Virginia. VAQS is the only facility that can receive those calls, respond to the interaction, and rehabilitate these turtles, as they are the only local permitted facility to do so. Responding to these fishery interactions will help NMFS recover listed sea turtles. This notice of intent is not a request for quotes. It is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest by providing a capability statement within 10 days of this posting . The capability statement must provide clear and unambiguous evidence to substantiate the capability of the party to provide the required services. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. No solicitation package is available. Oral communications will not be accepted. For any questions concerning this Notice of Intent, please direct correspondence to Francena Monell-Simard via email at [email protected]@noaa.gov or by fax to 978-281-9117. All correspondence must reference NFFM51001602974. Telephone requests will not be honored.