Intent to Sole Source FBO.docx

Synopsis: Notice of Intent To Award A Sole-Source Contract Announcement Number: 1305M2-20-00440 Project Title: eDNA Exploration Services

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the University of West Florida, Department of Biology, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide eDNA research to couple with traditional fisheries gears to improve data being used to assess stocks and to create ecosystem models. The objective of this specific service requested is to expand our knowledge of eDNA as an unintrusive, non-extractive method to evaluate species diversity, habitat occupanhcy, and gear selectivity in marine environments. The University of West Florida is one of a few select research facilities conducting eDNA analysis in the United States. However, the University of West Florida is the only one conducting these specific projects that targets species unique to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Dr. Janosik, a professor at the University of West Florida, has developed meta-barcoding techniques that sweep the sample for DNA sequences specific to species. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 611710 with a business size standard of $15.0M.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on FedBizOpps.

Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Linda Mullen (linda.mullen@noaa.gov).

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: Project Title.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 04:00 PM EST on December 23, 2019 . The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements.

The solicitation will remain open from 12/16/2019 to 12/23/2019.