USACE Portland District Phytoplankton Analysis of Water Quality Samples

Special Notice - Notice of Intent to Sole Source

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District intends to negotiate/award a sole source, firm-fixed-price, commercial service contract to Aquatic Analysts, Inc. at 43 Telegraph Lane, Friday Harbor Washington, 98250-8448. The purpose of this acquisition is for continual biological Phytoplankton analysis for the Portland District at Lower Columbia, Willamette, and Rogue River Basin projects.

The Corps Water Quality Section (EC-HR) has contracted with this small laboratory, Aquatic Analysts, Inc., to perform phytoplankton analysis of water quality samples since 1985.  Aquatic Analysts, Inc. has specialized taxonomic identification and enumeration of Pacific Northwest phytoplankton species.  Phytoplankton composition changes outside of the Pacific Northwest and identification requires specialized taxonomists as those employed by Aquatic Analysts, Inc.  The importance of continuity is reinforced in several articles published in highly regarded peer reviewed journals, such as the Hydrobiologia (2013) 704:256-264.  Also, in the Helgoland Marine Research journal (2004) 58: 252-268, Figures 3 and 4 demonstrate the correlation in data variability to time periods where different taxonomist counted the phytoplankton samples, for example. 

The statutory authority for this non-competitive acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901(e) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 Soliciting Competition (b) soliciting from a single source.

A solicitation will not be posted as the Government intends to proceed with this sole source action. The NAICS code is 541380, Testing Laboratories. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is $16,500,000.00.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS OR QUOTATIONS. Interested concerns must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement to the contracting officer before the notice end date. If no affirmative electronic responses are received by 12:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time on 15 April 2021, an award will be made without further notice. Electronic responses and questions shall be submitted via email to justin.f.figueredo@usace.army.mil. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.