Department of Commerce, NOAA, 200 World Trade Center, Room 209, Norfolk, VA 23510-1624

F -- FISHERY OBSERVERS PROGRAM IN THE NORTHEAST SOL 52EANF700025 POC Lynne Phipps, (757) 441-6881/Contracting Officer, Melvyn A. DesJarlais, (757) 441-6647. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast region, has a requirement to collect scientific, management, compliance and economic data about fisheries through observers placed aboard U.S. domestic and foreign fishing vessels in the northeast atlantic. This data, which cannot be obtained either dockside or while aboard government research vessels, is necessary for the management of fisheries occurring in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as the management of fisheries occurring on the high seas outside the EEZ. The NMFS also has specific responsibilities concerning marine mammals and sea turtles within state waters as specified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This work requires deploying certified observers to meet coverage levels prescribed in sea day schedules and to process the data collected by observers to a form for use in fisheries management. The contractor shall support,as specified, the observers during each phase of their employment period, including training, briefing, travel, accomplishing requisite land duties, data collection on fishing vessels, and debriefings. Observers shall collect scientific, management, compliance and other data at sea through interviews of vessel captains and crew, observations of fishing operations, measurements of selected portions of the catch and fishing gear and collection of samples. Data collected once per trip includes data on the vessel, crew, fishing practices and cost of operation. The contractor makes all arrangements and incurs all costs in placing observers aboard all domestic vessels. The contract period of performance will be for one (1) year with four (1) one-year options, to start on or about April 1, 1997. All responsible offerors may submit a proposal that will be considered by the agency. All requests for the solicitation package must be in writing. The request may be faxed to (757) 441-3786. (0344)

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