IGF::OT::IGF "OTHER FUNCTIONS" - THE GOVERMENT REQUIRES THE PROCUREMENT OF VESSEL CHARTER SERVICES TO SUPPORT MULTIPLE SOUTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (SEFSC) OFFICES FOR DIVING RESEARCH CRUISES FOR THE SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC, GULF OF MEXICO, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND U.S. CARIBBEAN FOR RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICES. THIS FIRST TASK ORDER IS FOR A FIVE DAY RESEARCH CRUISE FOR THE TORTUGAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVES (SE GULF OF MEXICO) WHICH WILL INVOLVE INTENSIVE SCUBA OPERATIONS AND HYDROACOUSTIC OPERATIONS TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A NETWORK OF NO-TAKE MARINE ECOLOGICAL RESERVES IN THE DRY TORTUGAS REGION. RESERVE ASSESSMENT RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED IN THE TORTUGAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVES SINCE 2001 ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE PLANNED 2013 RESEARCH CRUISE IS A CRITICAL CONTINUATION OF THE RESERVE ASSESSMENT RESEARCH THAT IS LISTED AS A HIGH PRIORITY ITEM FOR THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA.