NF-FS7600-22-01450 Notice to Sole Source.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) hereby gives public notice of the intent to negotiate a sole-source contract pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): FAR 13.501(a)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for executing National Marine Fisheries Service commitment to the GOA and BSAI Groundfish Fishery Management Plans. Pursuant to these Plans AFSC conducts Species Observer projects in various northern waters. AFSC must conduct annual Observer Trainings to carry out this mandate.

The Government intends to negotiate a contract with University of Washington (UW), for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), located in Seattle, WA who has a requirement for non-personal services associated with the following expertise:

1. An Ichthyologist (expert fish identification) will deliver fish taxonomic training to observer trainees, test and evaluate the trainees.

2. The Ichthyologist will update and maintain the training materials in partnership with NOAA/AFSC.

3. The Ichthyologist is required to grow and maintain (curate) the specimen collection used for training.

4. Provision a separate site for the lab. The Ichthyologist maintains the lab, a site separate from AFSC due to rules for chemical storage and use. This requires the person to be highly independent, knowledgeable about curation and its chemicals as well as co-located to complete the training schedule.

Responses to this notice must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice.

Vendors who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the requirement. All written responses must include proof of possessing permits and a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirement. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as previously stated. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 2:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, Wednesday, August 31, 2022. The responses must be submitted via e-mail to Jamie Abu Shakrah, Contract Specialist, at Jamie.AbuShakrah@noaa.gov.