Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Synopsis Announcement Number: NF-FT5300-22-01778 Project Title: Fishery Observer Support Services for the Pacific Islands Region Observer Program The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceani... Synopsis Announcement Number: NF-FT5300-22-01778 Project Title: Fishery Observer Support Services for the Pacific Islands Region Observer Program The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division (WAD), intends to issue a solicitation for a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) commercial services type contract with fixed daily rates for observer services over a five (5) year ordering period. The estimated period of performance of the proposed contract action will be from 01 September 2023 through 31 August 2028 and the primary places of contract performance will be Hawaii and American Samoa. This action will be issued as a Total Small Business Set-aside and utilize FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services in conjunction with FAR Subpart 12.6 – Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services procedures, as well as FAR Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation and FAR Part 19 – Small Business Programs to provide Fishery Observer Support Services for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Region Observer Program (PIROP). For this specific effort, the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) requires the recruitment, selection, supervision, and outfitting of all sea-going personnel needed to fulfill federal fisheries observer obligations of the PIROP. The PIROP currently includes the Hawaii deep-set tuna and shallow-set swordfish longline fleets, and the American Samoa longline fleet. Observers shall collect marine mammal, sea turtle, elasmobranch, and sea bird specimen parts as well as the entire animal carcass as directed. Observers must complete all required documentation and send reports from sea as directed. Specimen(s) must be provided to the observer program or Government researcher immediately upon the vessels’ return from sea. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541690, with a small business size standard of $19.0M. The product service code (PSC) is F020 - Natural Resources/Conservation—Fisheries Resources Management. It is highly encouraged that any vendor meeting this size standard and desiring to be considered for contract award be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in SAM. The intent of this synopsis is for informational purposes only. This notice of intent is not a formal solicitation nor a request for competitive proposals. This notice does not guarantee a solicitation will be issued, does not guarantee a contract award will be made, and does not obligate the Government in any manner. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. No award will be made on the basis of quotations or offers received in response to this notice. Solicitation documents are anticipated to be made publicly available on SAM.GOV in March 2023, and will include the time and date offers are due. All inquiries in response to this synopsis shall be sent via e-mail to the contract specialist Rachel.karkane@noaa.gov and the contracting officer kayla.johnson@noaa.gov. The current contract number is 1305M318DNFFT0004 and was awarded to Lynker Technologies, LLC.

Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Update 9/8: Final Rule for Establishment of National Minimum Insurance Standard for National Marine Fisheries Service Programs that Permit or Approve Observer Providers is attached and will likely imp... Update 9/8: Final Rule for Establishment of National Minimum Insurance Standard for National Marine Fisheries Service Programs that Permit or Approve Observer Providers is attached and will likely impact the 2023 solicitaiton/contract requirements. If there are any questions or comments on this notice, please include then in your response. In addition, the Government is considering setting up tiered pricing for daily rates based on Observer qualifications, in an attempt to incentivize and reward retention. If you have questiosn or comments on this potential approach, or other input related to otherwise incentivizing retention and reducing training time/costs, please include those in your response as well. This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10 Procedures. This is not a solicitation, nor does it guarantee a solicitation will be issued. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This is not a request for proposals and it does not obligate the government in any manner. The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is in the market research stage for recompete of the Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program (PIROP), currently being performed under a small business set aside award to Lynker Technologies under 1305M318DNFFT0004. This award is scheduled to expire August 31, 2023, but services may continue until early Fiscal Year 2024 to allow transition, if necessary. Please see attachments for instructions and draft Performance Work Statement.