This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), U. S. Department of the Interior. MMS will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted in response to this RFI. It is the Government's intent, based on the information received as a result of this notice, to make an award as a 100% small business set-aside, in accordance with FAR Part 15. This requirement is subject to the availability of funds. The Government intends to competitively award an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract for this effort, and anticipates firm fixed price and time and materials task orders issued against an IDIQ contract, with a base year and two option years. The Government is not obligated to order beyond a Guaranteed Minimum amount that will be stipulated in the contract. The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential small business sources, preferably local to the Anchorage, Alaska, area, that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. All interested parties must be able to qualify under the North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) 541990: All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The Small Business Association's size standard for this NAICS Code is $6.5 million in average annual receipts. Offerors who do not qualify as a small business under this NAICS Code shall not be considered further and will be rejected. In order to compete under this acquisition, interested parties must demonstrate they are capable of performing the work by providing a capabilities statement; instructions regarding submission are contained herein. Following review and evaluation of all capabilities statements received from this announcement, and in accordance with FAR 19.502-2(b), a list of those deemed best qualified to perform the work and which qualify under the NACIS Code specified will be established and will be notified regarding release of information on submission of a proposal and any other logistical considerations. Based on the review of the capability statements received in response to this RFI, the MMS reserves the right to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). Also, based on the review of the responses, the MMS reserves the right to issue a small business set aside, or full and open competitive requirement for capability statements and subsequently a Request for Proposal (RFP) in accordance with FAR 15.202. However, please be advised that this announcement may constitute the only notice for this acquisition in accordance with FAR 15.202. MMS will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject of this RFI. INTRODUCTION: A considerable amount of data and information has been and continues to be gathered in the course of research conducted for the MMS Environmental Studies Program. In addition, other agencies, academia, and industry consultants have collected and continue to collect environmental data in the OCS Regions as well. To improve the accessibility, use and exchange of this information, the MMS Alaska Regional Office conducts public meetings with a variety of formats. The meetings are of 3-day duration; workshops may be shorter,1-to-2 days in length, and focus on a single discipline or topic. The general format of the two types of meetings is essentially the same. The meetings and workshops shall be documented in proceedings. The contractor shall provide support for up to 2 Information Transfer Meetings (ITMs) and 2 workshops during a maximum 3 year period. Also, the contractor shall provide for pre-meeting plans, advertising, letters of invitation, procurement of meeting facilities, meeting logistics and staffing, and post-meeting reports. The contractor must be capable of performing all of the tasks described herein. SOURCES SOUGHT: Interested organizations must submit a capability statement to the Contracting Officer specified for receipt, demonstrating that they are qualified to perform the work and verification that the organization qualifies under the NAICS code 541990. The capability statement shall not exceed 25 pages (on 8.5" x11" paper, single sided print, with a font of 10 points or higher). Any pages in excess of 25 will not be evaluated. The capability statement should describe in detail: (A) Key personnel with the education, professional credentials, knowledge, and publications in relevant disciplines. Relevant disciplines are physical oceanography, fate and effects of marine contaminants, marine biology, protected marine species, and social science and economics. Relevant knowledge includes knowledge of the relationship of oil and gas activity on the Outer Continental Shelf to the environment and knowledge of the environmental studies supporting documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act. Key personnel with expertise, education, and experience to carry out the following tasks: 1. Plan Information Transfer and Information Update Meetings/Workshops. 2. Moderate panel sessions and provide introductions and conclusions with professionals in appropriate disciplines, specified above, as needed. 3. Take professional notes in relevant disciplines as needed during the meetings. 4. Carry out logistical and other responsibilities during the meetings. 5. Produce proceedings of the meetings. 6. Adhere to budget parameters and carry out the tasks and specific scheduling deadlines. (B) The organization's expertise with meeting planning, and a description of your facilities and resources; and (C) Specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, and client name and phone number) for previous work of this nature that your organization or personnel is currently performing or has completed within the last three years. EVALUATION OF CAPABILITY STATEMENT: Your Capability Statement must demonstrate that both your organization and key personnel can successfully meet MMS requirements when Factor A (key personnel) is of equal importance to Factor B (organizational experience and expertise), and Factor C (references) is less important than Factors A and B. We will evaluate the size and complexity of similar projects completed by the proposed project team and your organization, including past performance, to determine your potential for contract award and project success. Past performance consists of adherence to schedules and budgets, effectiveness of cost control, the acceptability of services delivered, the Offeror's willingness to cooperate with the customer in both routine matters and when confronted by unexpected difficulties, and the Offeror's business integrity. If you believe the Government may find derogatory information as a result of checking your past performance record, please provide an explanation and any remedial action taken by your organization to address the problem. Scientific personnel must demonstrate relevant experience in the scientific disciplines demonstrated through authorship in appropriate peer reviewed publications. The qualifications of subcontracts and partners will also be considered. Questions regarding this RFI must be submitted via email to
[email protected] no later than 3:00 pm E.T. on March 16, 2007, and must include the RFI No. 13163 in the subject line and include your full name/company name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address in the message. Questions will not be accepted after submission of capability statements. RESPONSE DUE DATE: Capability Statements are due no later than 3:00 pm E.T., on Monday, April 2, 2007. Please submit one signed original and four copies to the attention of Debra Bridge, Contract Specialist, Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS-2101, Herndon, VA 20170. Include with your capability statement your organization's name, address, DUNS number, contact name, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address, RFI No. 13163, and title "Conference Management and Reports." PHONE CALLS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.