Notice of Intent to Sole Source for AERD Logistics Services

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries hereby gives public notice of the intent to negotiate a sole-source contract pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Requirements FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))as the services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) is the Pacific Southwest research arm of NOAA Fisheries, and it provides scientific information for conserving and managing U.S. and world fisheries, populations of protected marine species, and their habitats.  Research is conducted to estimate the biological, environmental, and economic impacts of different fisheries management options, and advice is given to domestic and international organizations that manage living marine resources.

In 1984, Congress mandated the development of a directed research program in the Antarctic.  Since 1988, this program has been carried out by the SWFSC’s Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR), which provides information needed for U.S. policy relating to the conservation and management of living marine resources in the oceans surrounding Antarctica.  Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division (AERD) scientists assess commercial catch and fishing effort; conduct in situ studies of krill, fish, marine mammals, and birds; and coordinate international research to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of harvesting on the Antarctic ecosystem. AMLR depends upon an annual at-sea survey to study the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula and annual monitoring and research carried out at two (2) field camps on King George (Copacabana Field Camp) and Livingston (Cape Shirreff Field Camp) Islands.  Historically, AMLR chartered ship time from NSF via an inter-agency agreement to deploy autonomous oceanographic instruments and support field camps; however, such support continues to be limited. As such, AMLR will require transportation support to and from Cape Shirreff field camp. This support is necessary to protect U.S. property and to return staff from the field camp. 

The contractor shall perform necessary logistical support services for the region of Punta Arenas, Chile and at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island located in the South Shetland Islands. Land-based Antarctic research teams will be embarking and/or disembarking for research and maintenance at its remote field camp in the South Shetland Islands. The Government intends to negotiate a contract with AGENCIAS UNIVERSALES S.A. for the NOAA Fisheries SWFSC AERD.

Pursuant to FAR 5.203(a)(1), responses to this notice must be provided within 12 calendar days from the date of this notice. Vendors who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the requirement. All written responses must include proof of possessing permits and a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirement. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as previously stated. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 2:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, June 17, 2024. The responses must be submitted via e-mail to Rachel Karkane, Contract Specialist, at Rachel.karkane@noaa.gov.