Intent to award to single source

INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE SOURCE

NOAA's NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Humboldt State University (HSU) to conduct resight surveys for Steller sea lions at selected haul out sites off northern California. In 2011 through 2016 HSU also conducted some surveys in southern Oregon to augment additional surveys by Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The MML proposes to continue this research in 2017 -2021. In 2017, we also propose to contract with biologists to conduct surveys for gray whales in northern California and southern Oregon. In addition to the vessel surveys proposed, additional funds will be added to conduct nine shore based surveys for Steller sea lions at selected haul out sites in northern California near Trinidad Head and Patrick's Point. The shore based surveys will cover from the award date through February 2021. We propose a four-year contract with the first, second, and third option year's contingent on future funding.

Dr. Dawn Goley of Humboldt State University specializes in marine mammal studies. She conducted gray whale and Steller sea lion surveys for MML in the past years in this same proposed area, most recently in 2016. Dr. Goley has all resources in place to conduct the surveys and unique knowledge and understanding of the study site since she has conducted similar research int his area for over 20 years. Ms. Goley is currently listed as co-investigator under MMPA research permits issued by NMFS to conduct research on cetaceans and Steller sea lions in the Pacific Northwest.

Award for this requirement will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. Interested person may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. It is the Government's belief that the only source that can provide this service.

If you feel that your firm possesses the ability to provide these requirements, then you must respond by demonstrating your firm's technical capability to meet these requirements within 15 days of this Notice of intent posting. In order to protect proprietary information and prevent the unintentional releasing of guarded information all interested firms must conduct their own research regarding the specifications of the above listed item. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy these requirement