B--NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD NONCOMPETITIVE CONTRACT FOR REMOTE SENSING METHODS TO MONTITOR CHANGES IN SEA ICE HABITATS OF ARCTIC MARINE MAMMALS

The US Geological Survey plans to award a sole-source contract to the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow for the development and application of remote sensing techniques aimed at monitoring changes in the sea ice habitats of Arctic marine mammals. This effort falls under an ongoing research activity established by the US-Russia Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources, specifically Activity 02.05-7105, Area V. The contract will be negotiated exclusively with this one source under the authority granted by the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which permits noncompetitive procurement when justified. Although this notice does not invite competitive proposals, it allows other interested and capable parties to express their interest by contacting the Contracting Officer via email by the specified deadline. The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Acquisition Grants in Reston, Virginia, and is designated primarily for research services related to environmental monitoring in the Arctic region. The solicitation number associated with this action is 07WR20-NoSolicitation, with a posting date of June 21, 2007.