Description
This announcement is being prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR) Subpart 5.203 and is supplemented with additional information contained within this notice. Through market research, the Government has determined that Arctic Science Consortium has all necessary requirements on-site in Barrow, Alaska to fulfill all requirements. Further competition is not anticipated to result in more favorable methods of fulfilling this requirement, and the Government intends to negotiate directly with the local firm for pricing to fulfill needs as outlined below. Overview:The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7, Alaska, intends to directly negotiate with the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium(BASC), for pricing for two furnished lodging units inclusive of all utilities, phone service, internet connectivity, access fees, and applicable land use permitting requirements to support USFWS biologists conducting biological research on Steller's and Spectacled Eiders during the summer months of 2009, and annually through the end of summer 2010. Negotiations are estimated to occur approximately 5 days following the posting of this notice, with estimated contract award approximately May 11, 2009. The Government is contemplating award of a firm fixed-price contract with a Base Year of approximately 6 months, and Two optional extension periods of 6 months each for a maximum contract term of up to three years, at 6 months per year. The selected vendor for this requirement will be required to provide all equipment, services, and facilities in Barrow, Alaska during the duration of the anticipated contract. Background:The Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC) manages all activities on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO). The BEO is a 7,466 acre area near Barrow, Alaska that has been set aside for research and educational purposes by the landowner, Ukpeakvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC). To facilitate BEO research efforts, BASC is improving road access to the BEO, locating and making available scientific data generated by previous researchers, and providing electronic access to Geographic Information System-linked mapping and overlay data for the BEO region. BASC also facilitates logistics for research teams that are working in or away from the BEO, including communications and technology services, work safety support including polar bear alerts for field workers, and other project specific logistics including overwinter storage of equipment and ATVs, etc. BASC also offers short-term furnished rental units (including cookware, linens and appliances) for summer science researchers, whereas most rental units located in Barrow are year-round rentals that are not completely furnished. The Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office, Endangered Species Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a long-term field study of Steller's and spectacled eiders in the BEO and surrounding tundra in 1991. In 2009, we will conduct surveys and breeding biology research on both threatened Steller's and spectacled eiders within the BEO and surrounding tundra. Our field activities will include the following components: Housing/equipment preparation, field crew training and eider monitoring from 20 -31 May; road surveys from approximately 1-12 June; ground-based breeding pair surveys from approximately 13 June - 23 June; nest searching and monitoring from approximately 24 June - 31 July; hen captures and sample collection from mid- to late July; hen and brood radio tracking from mid-July to late August; eider monitoring will continue through late September or mid-October, depending upon the eider migration. We will provide reports and information to managers and the Eider Recovery Team, a Federal and State team to investigate recovery for threatened species along North Slope of Alaska. Any and all information received prior to the closing date of this announcement in response to this notice will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to compete the requirement further. A determination by the Government to not compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice and currently available information about the intended recipient, location of need, and existing market conditions, is solely within the discretion of the Government. See Numbered Note 13.