NASA/MSFC has been tasked to provide technical services to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand the geographic coverage of the Regional Visualization and Monitoring System (SERVIR) to Africa. With regard to that undertaking, NASA has been asked to partner with the My Community, Our Earth (MyCOE) program of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) to build the capacity of African students to apply geospatial information technologies toward critical regional biodiversity issues in Africa. So, in concurrence with SERVIR-Africa project implementation which is currently underway, the MyCOE program, an existing proven regional model for geographic technologies for biodiversity, will be adapted for countries in Africa with both USAID missions and membership with NASA’s SERVIR-Africa implementing partner, the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD). More specific, NASA is establishing a contract with AAG/MyCOE to devise and implement a recruitment and competitive selection process for university students utilizing the established MyCOE procedures. AAG/MyCOE will design and conduct a capacity building workshop at RCMRD in the use of GIS for biodiversity and conservation. AAG/MyCOE will provide oversight and mentoring for biodiversity projects conducted by student fellows chosen to participate in the program, as well as, pursue and oversee opportunities for integrating local project activities with appropriate regional or global level efforts in accordance with SERVIR. In addition, AAG/MyCOE will host a web forum accessible through the SERVIR website for peer-to-peer information sharing among the project areas, and work in collaboration with USAID and NASA to liaison with relevant and mutually beneficial activities ongoing with SERVIR-Africa.
NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from Association of American Grographers. Funds provided to NASA from USAID to establish and expand the SERVIR system in Africa included a stipulation that a portion of the funds be used for biodiversity. Additionally, one of several expected outcomes of that arrangement is improved conservation of biodiversity in protected areas and critical watersheds, for example, tracking and management of invasive alien species. MyCOE uses a proven regional model for geographic technologies for biodiversity to educate individuals on monitoring and managing biodiversity at the same time address how geographic data and tools may be applied to critical regional needs. This model has been accepted by USAID as shown in their investment and continued support of the MyCOE program
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 2:30 p.m. local time on January 27, 2009. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
