Fishery Independent Survey in Puerto Rico

Special Notice Number: NF-FN7110-21-00563

Agency: Department of Commerce
Office: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Location: National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Panama City Laboratory

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center Panama City Laboratory intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), to Hector Jose Ruiz Torres to procure Services to coordinate and obtain one local, registered commercial fishing vessel located  in Puerto Rico to conduct a total of up to 38 days at sea, in addition to an on board observer to conduct data collection through deployment and retrieval of paired, deep water stereo baited remote underwater video (S-BRUV) systems with LED lights, and deep drop hook and line fishing gear.  The Requirement is for a 12 month Base period and 1 option period.

The sole source determination is based on National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Panama City Laboratory’s requirement for the vessel, observer and data services.  This requirement is unique as the project builds off of previously awarded contracts/work that Hector Jose Ruiz Torres is either currently conducting, or conducted in past years. In order for methods to remain standardized and useable in analysis the videos must be deployed from the same vessels therefore, there are no other entities that can meet this requirement.  

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.  However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing.  

Submissions are due no later than January 22, 2021 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses may be emailed to Shawana.Randolph@noaa.gov.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only Hector Jose Ruiz Torres can provide the requirement stated above.