2012 NC Catch Card Program

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Capital Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Team intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources using the procedures in FAR Parts 6 and 13, to cover the expenses for 2012 NC For-Hire Survey Wave 1 to 6 from January 2, 2012 through December 20, 2013 with one option period. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall require mandatory reporting of certain recreationally landed highly migratory species (HMS). The highly migratory species included in the CCC program are: bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, and swordfish. Captains or vessel operators will be required to complete a catch card to be submitted at a reporting station in exchange for a landing tag. DMF will work with NMFS and HMS recreational fishing industry representatives to establish reporting stations in close proximity to all North Carolina sites where CCC species are landed. The reporting stations will be responsible for collecting catch cards and distributing tags for compliance purposes. A catch card must be submitted for each individual fish landed. Catch cards will be widely available at marinas, state marine resource agencies, large pelagic species tournaments, and other sources. The captain or vessel operator will be responsible for the proper completion of the catch card. All five CCC species that are landed recreationally must have attached a landings tag prior to removal from the vessel. Any off-loaded CCC species observed without an attached landings tag will indicate a violation, unless the fish was landed after hours when landings tags were not available. In such instances the captain must go to the afterhours kiosk and fill out a catch card for each CCC fish. Information delivery and education will be a critical component for the success of this program. DMF staff will work with NMFS and fishing industry representatives to implement cooperative outreach activities to ensure that affected anglers and businesses are aware of this project and its potential benefits. DMF staff participating in the program will be trained to identify the species of tuna and billfish caught. The staff will be responsible for staying current with the regulations and reading current literature on the subject. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 41 USC 253(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541620 with a small business size standard of 7.0M. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing, and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the foregoing requirements. Responses must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties, and/or other information that demonstrates that the quote meets all of the foregoing requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to [email protected] by November 30, 2011 by 10:00am local time. Award will be made using FAR 13, Simplified acquisition procedures, current through FAC 2005-54. The determination to compete or not compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Please indicate NFFKST10-12-01408 on your quote.