Fall Chinook Production Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Synopsis:
This is a special notice prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.2 "Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions."

The Army Corps of Engineers intends to negotiate the sole-source award of a new contract with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), a State of Washington agency. Work includes support and production of fall Chinook salmon production within the Hanford Reach stretch of the Columbia River at Ringold Springs Hatchery (RSH). This fish production satisfies a portion of USACE's mission in fulfilling mitigation obligations for The Dalles and John Day Dams.

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS) 206.302-1, only one responsible source and no other vendor will satisfy agency requirements.

In 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a revised Biological Opinion that concluded that the Federal Columbia River Power System jeopardizes the continued existence of various Endangered Species Act-listed anadromous fish in the Columbia River Basin. Jeopardy and adverse modification may be avoided by implementing reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) composed of discrete actions covering, among other things, hatchery operations. RPA action number 40 calls for a review of the hatchery program associated with the mitigation for The Dalles and John Day Dams.

The RSH Complex is situated just downstream of the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River. This complex also provides for collection of broodstock that originate from the Hanford Reach and provides a way to differentiate between species and hatchery-origin and natural-origin fish.

No other facility is available on the Hanford Reach to provide this product. Likewise, RSH possesses the appropriate water temperature, rearing pond space and availability during the required months to acclimate and release fall Chinook juveniles in the Columbia River.

No other acclimation and release facilities exist on the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River that are capable of handling the required volume of juvenile fish. Regional fisheries experts from NMFS, WDFW and the USACE agree that the Ringold Hatchery Acclimation Pond is the only reasonable location to continue this activity.

United States v. Oregon parties, USACE Portland District and Northwest Division agreement to release fall Chinook in the Columbia River mandates this requirement. WDFW has unique ownership and/or use rights to RSH, thus making WDFW is the only source able to provide the fall Chinook production needed.

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS OR QUOTATIONS. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement to the contracting officer before the notice end date. If no affirmative written responses are received by 10:00 AM Pacific time on 25 October 2019, the Contracting Officer will proceed with the sole source action. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. Electronic responses and questions shall be submitted via email to BOTH POCs listed, below. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

Contracting Office Address:
US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District
ATTN: CECT-NWP-P
333 SW 1st Avenue
Portland, OR 97204

Points of Contact for this notice:
Email: Enshane.l.hill-nomoto@usace.army.mil
          Patrick.p.collins@usace.army.mil

Small Business questions:
Kevin Thomsen, Small Business Specialist
Direct: 503-808-3733
Email: kevin.s.thomsen@usace.army.mil