(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number RA133F-11-RQ-1074BS

(III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53.

(IV) This solicitation is total small business set aside. The associated NAICS code is 483112. The small business size standard is 500.

(V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services:
CLIN 0001 - Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for the charter of a vessel to conduct biological studies of Steller sea lions in the western-central Aleutian Islands,14 Days (continuous) sometime during the period of October 10 - November 20, 2011, with the most likely performance period being October 23 - November 6, 2011, in accordance with the Statement of Work.

(VI) Description of requirements is as follows:
See attached Statement of Work.

(VII) Period of performance shall be:
Between October 10, 2011 and November 30, 2011

(VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (June 2008), applies to this acquisition. Offerors are instructed to complete and return the attached Standard Form 18, in addition to written price quotes.

(IX) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a), and a firm fixed-price purchase order award with payment terms of Net 30 will be made to the firm offering the best value to the Government. Paragraph (a) is hereby completed as follows: Evaluation will be based on 1.) Qualifications of captain and crew - Based on requirements listed under "Vessel and Crew Specifications"; 2.) Adequacy of vessel and equipment - Based on requirements listed under "Vessel and Crew Specifications"; 3.) Past performance - Based on direct corporate experience of company, vessel and crew with charters similar in scope, objectives and operating procedures to those described in this acquisition. Please provide brief statement of services performed; 4.) Company experience - Based on direct corporate experience of company, vessel and crew with charters similar in scope, objectives and operating procedures to those described in this acquisition; 5.) Cost. Offerors are requested to submit documentation to allow for evaluation of the above factors with their quote.

(X) The offeror must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (May 2011), with its quote. The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov .

(XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (Jun 2010) applies to this acquisition.

(XII) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (May 2011) applies to this acquisition. The following clauses under subparagraph (b) apply:
(4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).
(6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (DEC 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).
(11)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).
(21) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).
(24) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).
(25) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (July 2010) (E.O. 13126).
(26) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).
(27) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).
(28) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010)(38 U.S.C. 4212).
(29) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).
(36) 52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Sep 2010) (E.O. 13513).
(38)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (June 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, and 110-138).
(40) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).
(45) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(XIII) The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition:
52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)
52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates on or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ (End of Clause)

The following additional FAR terms and conditions apply:
52.214-34, Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991)
52.214-35, Submission of Offer in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991)
52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)
52.242-15, Stop-Work Order (Aug 1989)
52.246-1, Contractor Inspection Requirements (Apr 1984)

Department of Commerce Clauses:
1352.201-70, Contracting Officer's Authority (Apr 2010). The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract, and, notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

1352.215-72 Inquiries (APR 2010)
Offerors must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to [email protected] . Questions should be received no later than 4:00 P.M. MDT, August 1, 2011. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

(XIV) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating do not apply.

(XV) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 4:00 P.M. MDT on August 8, 2011. All quotes must be E-mailed or faxed to the attention of Brenda Summers. The E-mail address is [email protected] and the fax number is (303) 497-3163.

(XVI) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Brenda Summers by E-mail to [email protected] or by fax at (303) 497-3163.