Oyster post planting surveys at harris creek

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 6.302-2 for post-planting surveys on oyster reef habitat in Harris Creek with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), 1805 Virginia Street Suite A, Annapolis, MD 21401. The contract period of performance is twelve (12) months. The contractor is required to furnish supervision, labor, materials, supplies, and the equipment necessary to perform post-planting surveys on oyster reef habitat in Harris Creek. Work will involve diver surveys of oyster reef restoration sites constructed by USACE-Baltimore in winter 2014. ORP is the State's sole entity responsible for planting oyster seed from the State hatchery onto reef substrate. As a result, ORP is uniquely qualified to perform the proposed surveys. This work requires experience diving in the Chesapeake Bay, knowledge and experience conducting the surveys that are required, and expertise working with hatchery-produced oyster seed. Additionally, there is a critical need for this work, and it is time sensitive. Post-planting surveys must occur one to two months following planting. Based on when the sites were planted, the window for the surveys is early August. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement for the contract. The determination to not compete the proposed contract is within the discretion of the Government. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by 12:00 PM EST, Tuesday, August 12, 2014 will be considered by the Government.