TN bean mussel survey & collection

TN BEAN MUSSEL SURVEY & COLLECTION

Special Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Procurement.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE.

THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE AWARD.

This Notice is to announce that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center (UMESC) is proposing to negotiate a contract with Dinkins Biological Consulting LLC on a sole source basis for Mussel Survey Services of tissue samples to be collected from the endangered Tennessee Bean mussel (Venustaconcha trabalis) to facilitate genomic analyses to be conducted by UMESC. Obtaining tissue samples requires surveys at four rivers with known extant populations, with a particular focus on the Obed Wild and Scenic River (OBRI).

The proposed action is for analysis services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The reason justifying this sole source procurement is that the Government believes only one responsible source can provide the services that will satisfy the agency's requirement.

The following is a description of services that are required to be performed but not limited to:

The Contractor shall survey four river systems and obtain tissue samples from Tennessee Bean individuals in each drainage. The Contractor shall prioritize collection within OBRI, however, shall attempt tissue collection at each of four rivers, unless prior information indicates the Tennessee Bean is no longer found at that site. The Contractor shall ship tissue samples in preservative to USGS UMESC.

The Contractor shall perform the following Tasks:

1. The Contractor shall locate individuals of Tennessee Bean at all accessible extant sites and non-lethally collect 1-10 tissue samples suitable for genomic analysis.

2. Criteria for acceptance is delivery of tissue samples to USGS- UMESC.

3. Tissue samples from located Tennessee Bean mussels at all sites in the OBRI as well as other known sites (Indian Creek, Hiwassee River, and Beech Creek) contingent on those sites still being extant and accessible.

4. Samples shall be delivered immediately after collection.

This is a sole source notice published for informational purposes only and not a request for competitive quotes. Therefore, no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, all responsible parties interested in responding to this notice are invited to submit a capability statement by the time and date specified in this notice that provides sufficient details for consideration by the Government, via email to: ldwilliams@usgs.gov.

The determination not to compete the contract based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Phone calls will not be accepted in response to this notice. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to provide the product required and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating an offeror's bona fide capability to provide these services. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement.