JOFOC_s 1403031240116.pdf

Version 2.0

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

143031-24-0116/RQ-24-1344

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) and NMFS/SEFSC, Panama City Fisheries Lab.

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value). The oceanic whitetip shark is listed as threatened throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with international trade of its fins being one of the most significant threats to the species (Young & Carlson 2020). Typically, population assessments are used for the estimation of absolute abundance; however, this is one of the most difficult parameters to estimate (Bravington et al. 2014), especially for highly migratory species such as sharks, tunas, and billfish.

Genetic mark-recapture methodologies are similar to those of traditional mark recapture but differ in several important ways that make the genetic approach ideal for highly migratory species. A genetic mark is the genotype of an individual across a number of characterized loci; therefore, it is natural, permanent, and can be recovered from a processed carcass, fin clips from live animals, and/or other tissue samples. Genetic marks are transmitted from parent to offspring, and are thus partially shared between relatives. This expands the scope of what may be considered a “recapture” to closely related individuals (kin). Combining information on kin recaptures with models informed by life history to relate the number of kin to the population size, is a recent technique known as close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR, Bravington et al. 2016). Close-kin mark-recapture to estimate population size of oceanic whitetip shark will improve/validate estimates derived from population/stock assessments. Currently estimates derived through population assessments have a high degree of uncertainty and this level of uncertainty will likely increase in future assessments due to the prohibition on harvest of oceanic whitetip (i.e. catches will no longer be reported, and catches are fundamental in deriving population size through a stock assessment). Thus, an absolute abundance estimate via close-kin mark-recapture has the potential to provide a potentially robust indicator of the species’ status and measure progress towards meeting demographic recovery criteria. The vendor will develop appropriate genomic tools for use in CKMR.

Next-generation sequencing techniques will be used to characterize genetic variation within and among samples of oceanic whitetips previously collected from Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas, and the United States from a variety of fishery dependent and independent surveys. Once these genetic tools are developed from archived samples in the Atlantic Ocean this technique can then be applied to samples from the Pacific Ocean with additional samples collected through international engagement at the Regional Fishery Management Organization (RFMO) level.

Estimated costs over 2 years=$202,000 which includes full genome sequencing, ddRAD library preparation and sequencing, GT-seq panel design and associated bioinformatics, laboratory costs and data analysis ($196,643; via subcontract), domestic travel ($2,857), and indirect costs ($2,500).

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 Ph: (941) 388-4441

UEI: FSM5L96Q1RM3

POC: Dr. Demian Chapman (dchapman@mote.org)

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

143031-24-0116/RQ-24-1344

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

● X Other - Only one source is capable -This vendor has extensive experience with several projects examining the population genetics of endangered elasmobranchs. The vendor is well experienced in conducting genetic analysis and has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to conduct this work. The vendor already has archived tissue samples and has access to new samples through research funded by charitable organizations which are needed to develop the Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) methods . This vendor is the only vendor that has access to samples of this species collected randomly since 2014 and is therefore the only source capable of conducting this analysis. The vendor has staffing with >25 years of experience studying the genetics, biology and ecology of sharks and rays. The vendor has participated in recent workshops to develop recovery criteria for the oceanic whitetip shark. Utilizing this vendor will take advantage of previously obtained knowledge and the fact that this vendor already possesses a database of archived tissue samples of which to obtain genomic information. Any other vendor would not be capable of conducting the required analysis, as they would be starting without any previous knowledge of the area and without access to current and historical samples. The recommended vendor can therefore begin work immediately. Utilizing this vendor substantially reduces the risk of not receiving quality deliverables/data.

● Data collected by vendors within this project will be utilized in the development of an Endangered Species Recovery Plan for oceanic whitetip shark. NOAA Fisheries is required under the Endangered Species Act to use the best available data and without sufficient information, NOAA Fisheries is open to litigation.

5. Market Research.

Market research was performed using scientific publications addressing the required double digest Restriction Associated DNA (ddRAD) analysis. For this study, the average cost for a sample using optimized techniques from this recommended laboratory is ~ $10 per sample. Average costs searching previous publications from other laboratories that have conducted these types of genetic analyses (ddRAD) indicate costs range from US$30-35 or AU$40 per sample (Bravington 2016;

2019; Maunder et al. 2021). Because this requirement involves the utilization of sample archives available only to the recommended vendor, they are the only source fully capable of meeting this requirement.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_____________________________________ ______04/25/2024__________ John Carlson, Research Fishery Biologist Date

NMFS/SEFSC/BL

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Lisa Desfosse, Deputy Director of Science Date & Council Services, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC

7. Determination

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Insert name) Date Contracting Officer