Notice of Intent to Sole Source: 1. Solicitation Number W912P7-18-Q-0002 2. Sole Source Title: Analysis of micro-plastics in fish tissue in an aquatic environment. 3. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) 4. Contracting Office: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District 5. San Francisco, California 6. Description: General Project Description: The overall Objective of this agreement is to provide technical services to support the US Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency to provide trophic level assessments required for identification of bio transport of micro-plastics in the marine environment. Project Background: Micro-plastics generated from the environmental degradation of manufactured plastic products may be a possible pathway for the contamination of fish tissue with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and plasticizers. At the Tern Island case micro-plastic is commonly ingested by animals. As described above, micro-plastic particles act a media for transfer of contaminants into the food web. A trophic evaluation study is needed to determine the bio-accumulatory extent of, and contaminant behavior in, marine food webs associated with the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. MBARI will provide a plan and assessment of available samples and approaches for evaluating the trophic transfer of plastic-related contaminants (both additives and sorbed chemicals) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Island (NWHI) marine ecosystem, as potentially linked to marine regions contaminated with micro-plastics and other anthropogenic debris. This project will have two principal components: • A literature survey detailing what is known about the structure and function of the marine food webs of the NWHI open ocean ecosystem, as centered on the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) in the vicinity of French Frigate Shoals (Tern Island). • Second, a detailed survey and cataloging effort of biological samples/specimens from the NWHI ecosystem (preferably from French Frigate Shoals) that could be used in a broader trophic study aimed at evaluating bio-accumulation and bio-magnification of PCB contamination of marine organisms resulting from exposure to micro-plastics and/or plasticizers. Dr. Choy will travel to the State of Hawaii and meet with researchers and managers to 1) inventory their sample collections, 2) physically identify any available samples, 3) survey researcher and manager willingness to provide available samples to the USEPA and 4) identify future sample collection needs based on trophic level sample gaps and 5) survey researchers and managers' willingness to provide future samples to USEPA (using existing/new collection permits). Task 1: MBARI Trophic Level Analysis and Report The agreement consists of two primary analysis tasks to be conducted by MBARI. SubTask 1.1: Engage with Partners for Sample Identification, Permitting, and Acquisition First, this task requires identifying the appropriate contacts with which to inquire with USEPA partners (including but not limited to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration / Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources) regarding already collected and potentially available, trophically relevant biological samples from oceanic waters of or surrounding Tern Island/French Frigate Shoals. Secondly, following contact and engagement with appropriate contacts, set up meetings to request and acquire samples for consideration in future trophic studies. This task will require travel to Hawaii, following direct inquiry and communication with said partners, and could require a total of 5-10 days for inquiry and 5-10 business days during travel for sample acquisition. This task may require an additional trip to search partner freezers and warehouses for appropriate samples and to then, catalog and inventory available samples and research appropriate permit regulations associated with collected samples. SubTask 1.2: Sample Planning & Literature Synthesis of NWHI Marine Ecosystem Food Web Using the information collected from partner organizations and from a detailed literature synthesis, MBARI will determine "gaps" in in the proposed trophic level analysis and evaluate potential opportunities in which additional samples could be provisioned and collaboratively collected. The central objective of Analysis SubTask 1.2 is for MBARI to prepare a Trophic Level diagram for the Hawaiian monk seal food web within their French Frigate Shoals habitat. Regarding total numbers of samples for this trophic study USEPA guidance is provided in Document EPA 823-B-00-007, "Guidance for assessing chemical contaminant data for use in fish advisories". Generally, USEPA recommends analyzing replicate composite samples of target species at each sampling site of concern. We are aiming to characterize contaminant levels in three distinct trophic levels (herbivores or zooplanktivores, benthic carnivores or piscivores, apex predators), targeting a minimum of 5 "small" and 5 "large" marine organisms (replicates) for each trophic level. Study design and Quality Assurance/Quality Control issues will be addressed in a summary report to be submitted by MBARI to EPA after the project is completed. The report will include: 1) existing information on available samples with various partner organizations including taxonomy, 2) a "Monk Seal" trophic level diagram that outlines the ecological role of each animal and identifies potential holes in the trophic level study, 3) recommendations for filling study gaps, 4) recommendations on adequate sample resolution (e.g., size/volume/mass and number of samples) for proposed analyses such as stable-isotope, tissue contaminant burden and particle ingestion, 5) any additional recommendations. MBARI will work closely with EPA to optimize the future study design with the goal of designing an executable sampling and analysis plan. 7. Scope and Purpose: The overall Objective of this agreement is to provide technical services to support the US Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency to provide trophic level assessments required for identification of bio transport of micro-plastics in the marine environment. 8. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: The NAICS Code for this requirement is 923120, Administration of Public Health Programs. (NAICS Sector 92 - Small business size standards are not established for this sector. Establishments in the Public Administration sector are Federal, State, and local government agencies which administer and oversee government programs and activities that are not performed by private establishments. 9. Anticipated period of Performance: Anticipated period of performance is 36 months from day of contract award. 10. Information to industry: This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Information purposes in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.201 and not a request for competitive proposals. Therefore, no solicitation documents exist for this requirement. Interested parties should submit a Capability Statement and pricing information for this requirement within fifteen (15) days of public notice to be considered by the Government. A determination to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive requirement. 11. Response Due Date: Interested vendors should submit the Capability Statemen t in response to the Notice of Intent to Sole Source electronically by 12:00PM (PST) 27 December 2017 via email to the contract specialist, James Garror at
[email protected]. No phone calls will be accepted. 12. Notice Closes: This Notice of Intent to Sole Source closes on 27 December 2017 at 12:00 PM (PST). 13. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in response to this notice. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Contracting Office Address: US Army Corps of Engineers Attn: Contracting Office 1455 Market Street San Francisco, Ca. 94103-1398