R -- Notice of Intent to negotiate a sole source contract with Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute.

The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to negotiate a sole source contract with the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute to collect and analyze acoustic data from Northern Fur Seals in Alaska. This contract opportunity is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value below $50,000, indicating a relatively small-scale project. The intent is to directly engage Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute without a competitive bidding process, emphasizing the specialized nature of the work or the unique qualifications of this institute. The solicitation, identified as WASC-2-1350 and posted on July 8, 2002, is managed through the Department of Commerce's office located in Seattle, Washington. While specific details about set-aside types or NAICS codes are not provided, the contract focuses on scientific research supporting marine mammal study and environmental monitoring. The execution location is unspecified, but the scope centers on Alaska’s Northern Fur Seal populations, highlighting NOAA's commitment to marine environmental data collection and species conservation efforts.