Posted on July 17, 2020

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  The Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMCs) require the services of an independent contractor to develop, plan, conduct, and document a Council Member Ongoing Development (CMOD) meeting in 2021. This is a long-term, temporary contractor role, commencing on or about September 15, 2020 and expected to be completed by December 31, 2021. The contractor will work closely with the representative of the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), who will serve as the liaison between the contractor and the other RFMCs. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND:  Council Member Ongoing Development meetings will be organized and planned by the Council Coordination Committee, which consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Executive Director of each Council. The meetings will foster the professionalism and expertise of Council members and staff in the federal fishery management process. These are not decision-making meetings, and there will not be any policy decisions or recommendations made by attendees. The meetings will be designed to accomplish the following: 

1. Provide a policy-neutral setting that will promote the exchange of information on management challenges and accomplishments by attendees from the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils and National Marine Fisheries Service personnel. 

2. Educate attendees on developing fisheries science and management issues. Each meeting will typically focus on a small number of such issues so that attendees can thoroughly explore and discuss topics in detail. 

3. Improve skills identified as important for effective decision-making in the public policy arena used by Fishery Management Councils. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Letters of interest and supporting materials should be received no later than August 17, 2020 and addressed to Thomas Nies, NEFMC, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950, or by e-mail at tnies@nefmc.org.  Questions concerning this proposal should be directed to the same address.

Complete details are available in the request for proposals.