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.
The NMFS Southwest Region has a need to research inexpensive and practical methods to reduce the bycatch of sea turtles in gillnet fisheries to lower this threat to sea turtles locally and worldwide and improve the recovery of these endangered and threatened species. This research needs to take place in an area where sea turtles are found in high abundance in order to reach significant results in a short amount of time.
Description of Work and Services
A. Working with local fishers in Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico, the contractor will incorporate ADDs into gillnets (experimental nets) and compare these with traditional nets (control nets). The ADD sound field will be measured and the control net will be placed such that it will be unaffected by the experimental net. Auditory deterrents will consist of a speaker (8 inch diameter) connected to the float line and an iPod and battery pack connected to a bullet float and placed approximately every 20 meters (to be determined). Using a paired testing methodology, the contractor will test whether the experimental nets reduce sea turtle catch rates. Nets will be deployed during the night in an area known to have high turtle catch rates. Nets will be monitored throughout the night to remove captured turtles and ensure their health and survival. Captured turtles will be tagged, measured, and released. Catch rates of all species will be measured. For all field objectives, environmental data (depth, tides, moon phase, temperature and visibility) will be collected at setting (sunset) and pulling (sunrise) of the nets.
B. All research will be analyzed and submitted in report form to NMFS-Southwest Regional Office. Research results will be written up for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journal and/or presented at a scientific meeting or conference.

Deliverables
All deliverables will be submitted to the Government Project Officer.
01 No later than December, 2013, finish analyzing data, submit draft report to NMFS.
02 No later than February, 2014, submit final report to NMFS.
03 No later than May 31, 2014, submit revised final report (if applicable) to NMFS based on NMFS revisions and comments.
The period of performance is anticipated to be from July 2013 through July 2014, with two (2) option period thereafter.
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, June 17, 2013. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE HONORED.

Bid Protests Not Available