Notice of Intent to Sole Source Life Data History

Special Notice Number: NFFN7100-21-02716KXB Agency: Department of Commerce Office: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Location: National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami Laboratory The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Sustainable Fisheries Division intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), to Hector Jose Ruiz Torres for non-personal services to gather essential life history information in cooperation with local fishing communities in Puerto Rico to enhance stock assessment. The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (SEFSC), Southeast Fisheries Science Center requirement for utilizing a scientific and technical consulting service to coordinate and obtain services of separate commercial fishing vessels to conduct fieldwork in Puerto Rico. Fishing vessels with onboard observers will deploy standard fishing gear to collect essential life history information of commercially fished and federally regulated reef fishes, such as snappers, groupers, and grunts. This project builds off of previously awarded contracts that Hector Jose Ruiz Torres has conducted in the past years. It is absolutely necessary for the contractor to have existing working relationships with both the commercial fishing industry and the observer program in Puerto Rico, which Hector Jose Ruiz Torres unequivocally does. Due to the limited time frame for sampling, the work required to establish working relationships and licenses for commercial fishing vessels to conduct the scientific work is time consuming and would exceed the start date, therefore, jeopardizing the sampling for the entire project. The associated North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 483114 with the size standard of 500 employees. The period of performance for the service will be September 1, 2021 through August 21, 2022 with two option years. The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special 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. Submissions are due no later than August 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses may be emailed to Karen.Beck@noaa.gov. 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 compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only Hector Jose Ruiz Torres can provide the requirement stated above.