This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a presolicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran owned, and Women owned Small Business firms. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking to collaborate with an individual or entity that can: 1) assist in the spawning and culturing of white abalone; and 2) construct, repair and maintain all facilities and equipment associated with the white abalone captive breeding and rearing program. The individual or entity we are seeking must be in the process of obtaining, or already in possession of, an ESA scientific research permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The information obtained from this work is essential for maintaining the captive breeding program for the federally endangered white abalone, a species predicted to be at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild over the next 10-15 years.
Background
In 2001, white abalone received the dubious distinction of being the first marine invertebrate listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The marine mollusk was once prevalent off the West Coast south of Point Conception to Baja California (with historical estimates of more than 300,000 individuals off the coast of California) but will likely number fewer than 1,000 within 10 to 15 years. In 2008, NMFS issued a final recovery plan for the species and identified captive propagation and enhancement as one of the primary recovery actions necessary to recover the species. In that same year, the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) committed to playing a primary role in the white abalone captive propagation and enhancement program and BML was issued an ESA permit in 2012. Since that time, BML has led the first successful spawning of white abalone in over a decade resulting in a small group of juveniles that are approaching 1 year of age. In the spring of 2013, two successful spawning attempts were led by BML resulting in thousands of newly settled juveniles. The program is closer than it has ever been to achieving the goal of outplanting captive-reared animals to recovery areas and NMFS is seeking to sustain that program through this contract.
The care of the recently spawned animals and future restoration activities require a dedicated individual or entity who can: 1) assist in the spawning and culturing of white abalone; and 2) construct, repair and maintain all facilities and equipment associated with the white abalone captive breeding and rearing program.
Description of Work and Services
Work Period: Date of award to July 31, 2014
Tasks: Assist in the spawning and culturing of white abalone, and construct, repair, and maintain all facilities associated with the captive breeding and rearing program at BML.
1. Assist with care for captive broodstock
2. Assist with conditioning broodstock for future spawning attempts
3. Assist with care for and rear healthy offspring
4. Construct, repair and maintain equipment and facilities
5. Progress report development
6. Final progress report submitted to NMFS

Requirements of the selected vendor:
1. Must be in the process of obtaining or currently in possession of a NMFS-issued ESA Scientific Research and Enhancement permit.
2. Must be able to complete all tasks listed above within the work period dates: August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014.
3. Must have at least 1 year of experience constructing, repairing and maintaining laboratory equipment necessary for ensuring the safety and health of endangered white abalone.
Deliverables
All deliverables will be submitted to the Government Project Officer.
Not later than July 31, 2014, the contractor shall provide a report including: 1) health care protocols for broodstock and captive-reared animals and the effectiveness of those protocols; 2) broodstock conditioning protocols and the effectiveness of those protocols; 3) the status of construction, repair, and maintenance projects involving the captive breeding equipment and facility at BML.
Schedule
Work Period: Date of award to July 31, 2014

Target Date Task Completed/Deliverable Received
August 2013-July 2014 Assist with care for captive broodstock
August 2013-June 2014 Assist with the conditioning of broodstock for future spawning attempts
August 2013-July 2014 Assist with the care for and healthy rearing of offspring
August 2013-July 2014 Construction within culture facility
August 2013-July 2014 Repairs within culture facility
August 2013-July 2014 Maintenance of culture facility and equipment
June-July 2014 Progress report development
July 31, 2014 Submission of Final Progress Report
The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541690 with a size standard of $14M.
Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm's capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm's name, address, point of contact, telephone number, DUNS Number, CCR Cage Number, business type and size, i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, and so forth. Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to perform the services as specified above.
This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise that any procurement action that may be issued for the Government's requirements.
No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.
All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded on the basis of responses received to this notice.
Detailed information must be submitted by email to the Purchasing Agent, Maria L. Mendoza at [email protected] by09:00 AM local Seattle time (PST), on Monday, July 26, 2013. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE HONORED.

Bid Protests Not Available