Gray whale photographic identification

Added: May 01, 2015 1:56 pm ***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 Cascadia Research Collective, Olympia, WA for the purchase of services to provide photo-identification of gray whales to document return visits in successive years and movements of whales between Northern Washington and other regions along the west coast and complete a summary report.

***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) knowledge, through market research that shows only Cascadia Research Collective has a catalog that covers gray whales along the entire west coast and is the longest in terms of time. They have been collecting photographs of gray whales since 1979 from researchers working along the US and Canadian west coast. Services required include photo-identification and matching of gray whales to the Cascadia Research Collective catalog which contains over 1000 different gray whales; and complete the annual summary report. The period of performance is date of award through February 1, 2016 with two options.

***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.