A -- Scientific Study

U. S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration/NESDIS, intends to negotiate with the University of Miami, Key Biscayne FL. for the continuation of services of the Calibration of Proxy Records from Coral Skeletons to Instrumental Data from St Croix, U.S. Virgin. Corals include a variety of other elements within their primarily calcium carbonate skeleton. Of exceptional value for revealing the history of nutrient enrichments. The concentration of some of these elements and Strontum in particular can be used as indicators of temperature. The University of Miami will sample approximately 50 years of growth at a resolution of 50 samples a year. This resolution is necessary to retrieve an accurately estimate of annual temperature variability. This year there will be continued work on two corals from St Croix., and will analyze 25 years at a resolution of 40 samples a year. The University will measure geochemical and coral growth proxy indicators for temperature and salinity in coral skeletons from the corals collected St Croix. These will be compared to corals from the southern Lesser Antilles. All corals will be used to 1) reconstruct salinity, 2) compare response of oxygen isotopes and Strontum/Calcium in three different corals. 3) calibrate using existing Sea Surface Temperature records. Strontum/Calcum and stable isotopic records and interpreted salinity and temperature records from the US Virgin Islands. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE$100K) NAIC code 541710. Interested persons may identify their interest and must demonstrate their capability in order to be considered for this opportunity. This is not a request for Competitive proposal. No competitive solicitation is planned, information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not to open up for competitive procedures. Questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the attention of Sally Huber, E-mail sally.j.huber@noaa.gov.