noaa_single_source_determination_Orca 26-453 AG_Redacted.pdf

Version 1.0

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

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

Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), OMB Field Delegates and Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value). The contractor will conduct fishing surveys using longline gear to capture, harvest and tag sharks (where applicable) in the northeast Gulf of America. This will include 24 days at sea conducted between September 1, 2026 and September 30, 20 8. Specific tasks include deployment of longline gear for the capture, harvest, and tagging (where applicable) of coastal sharks, in particular sandbar shark, deployment of telemetry equipment (acoustic array), and servicing and monitoring of the telemetry equipment. The US Government will provide all materials for tagging and sampling sharks, the contractor will provide all necessary gear for sampling.

for the duration of the study

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

Vendor Name: Lew Childre, Wendy Hiestand F/V Orca 11590 Bay Road West Foley, AL 36535-4454 Website/email: blindfaithseafood@gmail.com Phone: 251-752-1098 POC: Lew Childre, Wendy Hiestand

Small Business?- Yes

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

Other - Only one source is capable

The justification for the contracted work is the unavailability of a NOAA Fisheries vessel to conduct this survey. In addition, the excessive costs of government staff, travel, overtime and the use of a NOAA vessel will save a considerable amount of resources by utilizing this contractor. For example, costs using this contractor equates to $3,500 per sea day whereas a NOAA vessel’s estimated costs are ~$17,000 per sea day. The contractor is a long-term participant in NOAA Fisheries Shark Research Fishery and is well-experienced in capturing, boarding and assisting NOAA scientists in tagging coastal sharks. Thus, the contractor has considerable experience in this area. Utilizing this contractor over others will take advantage of previously obtained knowledge. Utilization of another contractor would be disadvantageous, as they will be starting without any previous knowledge of the area and design. The contractor also is already in possession of an Exempted Fishing Permit issued to his vessel whereas other contractors may not have this requirement under the project.

This project responds to the current issue of shark depredation, the removal or damage of fish caught by sharks, which has become a growing issue for fisheries across U.S. waters. Current anecdotal and scientific reports suggest the rates of shark depredation across all areas have been increasing in recent years. Consequences of depredation include economic losses from lost or damaged bait, catch, and

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104 gear; impacts to post-release survival of target fish; and degraded fishing experiences. There is much public interest on how NOAA Fisheries is addressing this issue. To address this, Congress has introduced legislation that directs NOAA Fisheries to fund research and find ways to mitigate these shark-fishery interactions as well as Executive Order 14276 which aims to maximize domestic fish harvests, and expand public access to lands and waters for outdoor recreation.

5. Market Research.

The current costs for NOAA Fisheries Service to conduct a similar survey were utilized as market research.

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.

8-June-2026 John Carlson, Ph.D, Research Fish Biologist Date

, Date

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.

Contracting Officer Date

MIKESELL.BRAYDON.G

LENN.1261513648

Digitally signed by

MIKESELL.BRAYDON.GLENN.1261513648

Date: 2026.06.22 11:34:35 -04'00'

GILLILAND.AMY.ADAMS.1006073316 Digitally signed by GILLILAND.AMY.ADAMS.1006073316 Date: 2026.08.07 13:41:09 -05'00'