National Science Foundation; Division of Contracts, Policy, and Oversight; 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 475; Arlington, VA, 22230

R -- PREPARATION OF MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ANTARCTIC SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS Sol. OPP 95019. POC: Bart Bridewell, Contract Specailist, (703) 306-1242; Wayne K. Thomas, Contracting Officer, (703) 306-1242. It is the National Foundation's intent to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) Number OPP 95019 on a sole source basis to the International Centre for Antarctic Information and Research (ICAIR) of Christchurch, New Zealand. ICAIR shall be responsible for preparing management plans for seven Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA) designated or planned for designation by the United States in accordance with Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. These sites are: (i) Cape Hallett (Lat 72 deg. 18'S, Long 179 deg. 19'E); (ii) Cape Royds, Ross Island (Lat 77 deg. 33'S, Long 166 deg. 30'' E); (iii) Arrival Heights, Ross Island (Lat 77 deg. 60' S, Long 166 deg. 40' E); (iv) Barwick Valley, Victoria Land (Lat 77 deg 15' S, Long 161 deg. E); (v) Cape Crozier, Ross Island (Lat 77 deg. 30' S, Long 169 deg 20' E); (vi) NW White Island (Lat 78 deg. 10' S, Long 167 deg 25' E); and (vii) Cape Washington (to be proposed for designation). The management plans' content and format shall be in accordance with Annex V, Article 5 of the Protocol on Environment Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and shall include the following: (i) the description of values for which special protection is required by the United States; (ii) a statement of the aims and objectives of the management plan for the protection or management of those values; (iii) management activities to be undertaken to protect the values for which special protection is required; (iv) a period of designation, if any; (v) a description of the area; (vi) a description of the conditions under which use permits may be granted; and (vii) both site and digital orthophoto maps that clearly show the boundary of the ASPA in relation to the surrounding features and key features within the protected area. Based upon the information available at this time, the Government considers ICAIR to be the only responsible source in accordance with the statutory authority at 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). Vendors that believe their firm can satisfy this requirement shall respond in writing within forty-five (45) days from the date this notice is published. This response shall include, but is not limited to, literature, brochures, and a detailed description of the vendor's capabilities. NSF shall evaluate all responses to determine if the vendor is qualified to perform the required services. No RFP is available at this time. See numbered nots 22 and 25. (079)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0074 19950321\R-0001.SOL)