NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROCURE ON SOLE SOURCE BASIS

NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Wendy Szaniszlo to conduct surveys for Gray Whales and Steller Sea Lions in Vancouver Island each season from June through December, and input and analyze survey data and submit data, reports and photographs from the survey. The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) has been studying gray whales and Steller sea lions since 1996 from Northern California to Washington State. The gray whales that are part of a larger feeding aggregation that is distributed along the entire west coast of the United States and Canada. To obtain a better understanding of the abundance and temporal and spatial distribution of the whales within the feeding aggregation, the MML has contractually supported other researchers that have been studying this gray whale feeding aggregation throughout its range. The second part of this study entails conducting surveys for marked/branded Steller sea lions off SW Vancouver Island in 2016- 2018. The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) has conducted research on Steller sea lions in northern California and Oregon from 2001-2015. The research has focused on branding and marking Steller sea lion pups at natal rookeries in order to derive estimates of survival for the population. This process requires frequent surveys for marked Steller sea lions in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, where animals disperse to after the summer breeding season. Ms. Szanislo has unique knowledge and experience conducting surveys for marine mammals along the West Coast of Vancouver Island. She has local knowledge of the area as well as individuals in the region. She contracted with MML to conduct surveys for Steller sea lions and gray whales from 2006 - 2015. Ms. Szanislo has the necessary permits to conduct surveys in Vancouver Island. Ms. Szanislo is a certified vessel operator who once worked for Parks Canada and for Whale Watch tour operators in the region. This notice represents the only official notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. It is the Government's belief that only Wendy Szaniszlo can provide the deliverables under this contract. However, firms that believe they can provide the services required on this project that 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. Questions concerning this announcement must be emailed to Maria Mendoza at maria.l.mendoza@noaa.gov or faxed at (206)527-7513. This is a simplified acquisition.