R -- Notice of Intent to negotiate a sole source contract with the University of California

The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Marine Fisheries Service, intends to negotiate a sole source contract with the University of California to conduct a study on age-related maternal effects on larval quality in rockfish. This contract is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000, indicating a relatively small-scale research effort focused on marine biology and fisheries science. The solicitation, identified as WASC-2-606, was posted on February 22, 2002, and is managed through the NOAA office based in Seattle, Washington. The purpose of this contract is to deepen understanding of how maternal age influences the quality of rockfish larvae, which could have important implications for fisheries management and conservation strategies. The sole source nature of the contract suggests that the University of California has specialized expertise or resources uniquely suited to this research. The designated point of contact for this acquisition is Melvin N. Fondue at NOAA. This engagement reflects NOAA’s ongoing commitment to advancing marine science through targeted research partnerships with academic institutions.