Provide index and monitoring data from seabird colonies at Duck and Chisik Isla

This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to negotiate a purchase order with Northern Research Technical Assistance Center (NORTAC) for the data collection of seabird population and demographic data to continue long-term monitoring data in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. The vendor will conduct cliff plot counts on 2 species of seabirds at different stages of their breeding cycles to assess population change over time, census the entire colony of seabirds to estimate their abundance, capture birds to obtain morphometric information, biotoxin data, and samples for stress hormone and isotopic analyses, and will conduct in person monitoring of birds to assess their reproductive performance, identify diet items, and assess attendance patterns. These data will be consistent with USGS data collections in the past.

Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures at FAR Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 entitled, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. NORTAC is, to the USGS' knowledge, the only source that can provide these services. It is critical to maintain consistency in data collection methods over time. This vendor has previously collected data for us under contracts from 2019 through 2023 and maintained high performance standards. Additionally, this vendor is in the unique situation of residing at a remote cabin adjacent to Chisik Island (more than 60 miles from the nearest population center) during the summer, enabling local, frequent visits to the study site for routine data collection. Furthermore, this vendor has extensive experience in collecting all the types of data we require at Chisik and Duck islands, having conducted similar research on seabirds in Alaska, Greenland, and Svalbard.

The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.2. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.

The NAICS code for this action is 541690 ¿ Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.

Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to sklingler@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 01 April 2024 at 2 pm PT.