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

The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) office in Seattle, WA, intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Pacific Identifications, Inc. This contract involves the identification of fish remains, including bones, teeth, cartilaginous elements, and otoliths, extracted from Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal feces and regurgitations. The work will utilize reference collection specimens to accurately classify the fish remains. Pacific Identifications, Inc. brings over 24 years of specialized experience in analyzing biological and archaeological materials, with a particular focus on diverse fish species from the North Pacific Ocean. The vendor is also well-acquainted with the National Marine Mammal Laboratory’s projects and database format, ensuring compatibility and efficiency. This acquisition is a simplified process with an estimated value under $100,000 and represents a sole source negotiation, meaning no competitive solicitation will be issued. The notice serves as the formal announcement of the intention to negotiate exclusively with Pacific Identifications, Inc., and there will be no requests for solicitation considered. The contract is aimed at supporting NMML’s research efforts by leveraging the vendor’s extensive expertise to enhance the identification and analysis of crucial marine biological data.