Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole-Source contract; Development of Zooplankton Indices as Ecosystem Indicators for the Gulf of Mexico

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Dr. Kelly Robinson, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, for proposed work to use an innovative digital imaging system with machine learning software to develop a suite of seasonal/annual indices for over 40 zooplankton taxonomic groups, as well as other zooplankton community metrics (e.g., diversity, size spectra, carbon content) that may reflect ecosystem status, to be performed at: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Biology 410 E. St. Mary Blvd. Billeaud Hall, Room 105 Lafayette, LA 70503 The sole source determination is based on NOAA's requirement that Dr. Kelly Robinson is the only vendor that can provide the required services that are compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment, and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement. Sole Source Justification (Redacted) is attached). Period of Performance: Base Year: Twelve (12) months after date of award Option Year: Twelve (12) months after date of award This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 5:00 PM CST on July 15, 2024. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration. Phone calls in regard to this notice will not be accepted. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: 143031-24-0203 Project Title: Development of Zooplankton Indices as Ecosystem Indicators for the Gulf of Mexico Southeast Fisheries Science Center/Population and Ecosystem Monitoring Division/Trawl and Plankton Branch requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company unless registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a valid Tax ID number, Cage Code, and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available through SAM.gov.