Passive Acoustic Monitoring Data and Analysis from cetacean Species at Risk Critical Habitat

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures: If 3+ bids offer Canadian goods/services other bids will not be considered Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall Proposal Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: F5299-130045/A Dunphy, Nancy Telephone No. - (902) 496-5481 Fax No. - (902) 496-5016 Email: nancy.dunphy@pwgsc.gc.ca

Project title: Passive Acoustic Monitoring Data and Analysis from cetacean Species at Risk Critical Habitat

Objective: The objective of this work is to obtain recent calibrated acoustic recordings from cetacean Species at Risk Critical Habitat on the Scotian Shelf that include data collected both during and after seismic surveys are conducted. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) requires this data for various analyses that will support management and regulatory decisions related to Species at Risk protection and recovery.

Background: The Offshore Petroleum Industry has shown increasing interest in oil and gas development in waters off Nova Scotia with Exploration Licenses recently awarded for land parcels off the western Scotian Shelf and an upcoming call for bids for parcels on the eastern Scotian Shelf. The impacts of noise produced by seismic surveys on cetaceans and their habitat are not well understood, though seismic activities are identified as a potential threat to several at-risk species in Canada, including North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and Scotian Shelf Northern Bottlenose Whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). Given that seismic noise production on the Scotian Shelf near the identified Critical Habitat of these endangered populations is increasing, technologies and methods designed to help monitor and mitigate the potential impacts of seismic noise on cetaceans will be important for reducing potential impacts to at-risk populations. Additionally, increasing our understanding of when and how endangered species are using their Critical Habitat, of the ambient noise characteristics within identified Critical Habitats, as well as how noise characteristics within these important areas change as a result of human activities, is essential for protecting these species. See details herein.

Period of Contract: From date of Contract award until March 31st, 2014.

Maximum funding: The maximum funding available for the Contract resulting from the bid solicitation is $50,000.00 (Applicable Taxes extra). Bids valued in excess of this amount will be considered non-responsive. This disclosure does not commit Canada to pay the maximum funding available.

Basis of Selection: Bidders must meet the mandatory requirements to be deemed responsive. Responsive bids will be rated according to the technical criteria as listed in the attached documents. A total of 50 rating points are possible. Contract will be awarded to the responsive bidder who scores the highest amount of rating points under the scale outlined above without exceeding the maximum funding.

Security Requirements: There are no security requirements applying to this project.

Code of Conduct for Procurement: The Code of Conduct for Procurement applies to this requirement.

Canadian Content: This requirement is limited to Canadian goods and/or services.

Trade agreements: This requirement is subject to the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).

Intellectual Property: The Intellectual Property will vest with the Contractor.

All specifications are detailed in the document entitled Request for Proposal (RFP).

This PWGSC office provides acquisition services to the public in English.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.