Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (Eco-Fish) Program Draft Statement of Work for Public Comment

USAID/Philippines would like to solicit industry comment on the attached draft statement of work. Please note that this is not a request for proposals. Rather, the purpose of this special notice is to seek inputs from partners worldwide on the draft statement of work for the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (Eco-Fish) program. USAID/Philippines seeks particular comments and feedback on the following and welcomes as well other comments on the draft SOW. 1. Are the target key results achievable for a 3 + 2 year project? 2. How feasible is it to operationalize the ecosystems approach to fisheries management (EAFM) with the Marine Key Biodiversity Area (MKBA) as the management unit? 3. Are the selected MKBAs viable project sites in consideration of social acceptance, political commitment and ecological importance? 4. Comment on the selected MKBAs and link to any existing and/or potential watershed initiatives. 5. Comment on the readiness of local government units to undertake sustainable financing initiatives. 6. Comment on the relevance and viability of establishing a monitoring scheme and a national database on EAFM. Kindly send your comments to [email protected] with subject line: "Comment on Draft SOW for Eco-Fish Program submitted by [Name of Organization]". Comments are welcome from the date of release of this special notice through the closing date of September 22, 2011, Thursday, at 5:00 PM (Manila time). Interested parties may submit more than one set of comments if appropriate. All are advised that funds are not yet available to award a possible contract, and that this request for comment neither obligates USAID to award a contract nor commits USAID to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of comments in response to this special notice. Should you have any questions in regards to this special notice, please contact Ms. Grace M. Laspiñas at [email protected].