Bull kelp in puget sound

***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Puget Sound Restoration Fund in Bainbridge Island, WA to conduct a bull kelp life-history study.
***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) need for laboratory research on kelp life-history and operationalizing future restoration plans and practices. The Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) has an existing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with NOAA's Northwest Fishery Science Center to conduct kelp research at NOAA's Manchester Laboratory, and has access to the necessary lab equipment and continuously cycling saltwater at this facility located on the shores of Puget Sound. The PSRF is the only entity conducting kelp recovery projects in Puget Sound.
The period of performance is one base year, October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017 plus 1 option year.

***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.