Otolith Proteomics Study University of Melbourne

Synopsis:  Notice of Intent To Award A Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number:  NFFN7110-20-03162

Project Title:   Otolith Proteomics Study University of Melbourne
 

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, VIC 3010, Australia using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide support in otolith proteomics study of samples.

The National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center has a need for research to conduct proteomics, metabolomics, metallomics, and/or lipidomics analyses of otolith chemical constituents to determine the compound(s) whose spectral information are functionally related to fish age. Some of the questions that we seek to answer through the award of this single source contract include:

1. How does electromagnetic energy interact with an otolith, and what is the exact nature of the specific compounds absorbing NIR light?

2)  What extent does variability (systematic and random) in otolith microchemistry and inclusion of that variability (i.e., spectral variability) in the calibration model impact predictive capabilities?

 3) What NIR measures in an otolith is so closely related to fish age?

The knowledge gained from this contract is not only necessary to operationalize FT-NIR spectroscopy for fish ageing, but perhaps even more importantly, this knowledge is needed so that NOAA Fisheries staff can have confidence in the research results when they disseminate this information to our stakeholders (e.g., fishery management councils, fishers, public, etc.).

The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541715 with a business size standard of 1000 employees.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities.

Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Kelly Parr, (Kelly.Parr@noaa.gov)  

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: 

Announcement Number: NFFN7110-20-03162

Project Title:  Otolith Proteomics Study University of Melbourne
 

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 10:00 AM EDT on August 31, 2020.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

The notice will remain open from 8/14/2020 to 8/31/2020.