Inactive

Development and Publication of Close-Kin Mark-Recapture Model of Pacific Walrus Population This is a Request For Information - This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to... Development and Publication of Close-Kin Mark-Recapture Model of Pacific Walrus Population This is a Request For Information - This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No contract will be awarded as a result of this Sources Sought announcement. The United States Geological Survey, Office of Acquisition and Grants is soliciting information from qualified sources; the results of this announcement will be evaluated to determine if there are businesses capable of performing the proposed work. The US Geological Survey (USGS), Office of Acquisition and Grants seeks responses from vendors to develop a preliminary walrus close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) model using kin pairs from all available genotypes, including parent-offspring pairs (POPs) and half-sibling pairs (HSPs), that will inform sampling design for future research cruises collecting samples from live walrus demography. The focus of the study is the Pacific walrus population, which inhabits the northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea. This model will provide information on the effects of walrus movement and spatial structure relative to the international boundary, sample size requirements, number of years to collect samples, and age classes to target for sampling. The vendor will also produce a peer reviewed publication in a journal alongside this model to include the following components (at the discretion of the contractor(s) and USGS project manager): a. A detailed accounting of model assumptions b. All relevant statistical derivations for the preliminary close-kin mark-recapture model c. Computer code with sufficient annotations that will enable implementation of the code in other software without knowledge of the language d. Guidance on sampling design and sample sizes for future walrus field seasons Estimated period of performance is June 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2024. Vendors must have personnel with the following skills and experience: - Extensive experience with marine mammal population models, specifically in Alaskan species - Extensive experience working with CKMR methodology - Extensive experience in statistical software development, including software packages that estimate animal abundance and population parameters from CKMR - Statistician with extensive experience working in marine wildlife assessment All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the Government. The information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. NAICS 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) -1,000 size standards in number of employees Responses must include complete description of capabilities to be provided and contain sufficient technical information to allow agency analysis to establish bona fide capabilities. This is not a request for quotation, and the Government does not intend to pay for information received. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Respondents will not be notified of the results of any Government evaluation of the information received. Capability statements shall only be accepted through email addressed to jongjoco@usgs.gov. All statement documents required by this notice must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 5:00pm Eastern on Monday, May 1, 2023.