B -- Notice of intent to negotiate a sole source contract

The Department of Commerce's NOAA office in Seattle intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Dr. Douglas Woodby from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to support work at the Alaska Marine Fisheries Service Center Auke Bay Laboratory in Juneau, Alaska. The contract aims to engage Dr. Woodby in fieldwork, participation in North Pacific Research Board meetings, and collaborative research focused on developing predictive models concerning habitat and coral relationships. Dr. Woodby is already recognized as a co-principal investigator in the related NPRB grant, highlighting his expertise and integral role in this research. This acquisition is classified as a simplified procurement with an estimated contract value below $50,000. The sole source approach indicates that Dr. Woodby's unique qualifications and ongoing involvement make him the preferred contractor for this specific scientific collaboration. The work will involve coordination with scientists from the Auke Bay Laboratory and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, emphasizing a collaborative effort to further marine habitat research in the region.