Sole Source - Gray Whale Survey, Photo ID & UAS Monitoring
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Molecular Genetics Laboratory for the performance of twelve annual vessel-based surveys targeting the Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales along the coastal waters between Cape Blanco, Oregon, and Cape Mendocino, California. The work involves conducting photographic identification surveys from a small boat platform to capture high-resolution digital images of individual whales—specifically of the left, right, and fluke sides—and integrating uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations directly from the same vessel to collect body condition data, behavioral observations, and associated metadata. The contract is structured with a base period of one year from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with two one-year option periods extending through August 31, 2029, for a total potential value of $77,656, contingent on funding availability and performance. This procurement is justified under 41 U.S.C. 1901 and FAR 12.102(a) as a non-competitive action due to the unique, long-term operational expertise and dataset continuity required, which NOAA has determined exists only with the designated entity, despite the solicitation being issued to a different organization, indicating likely administrative error or internal realignment. All data collected—including imagery, survey logs, entanglement documentation, calf observations, and foraging behavior—must be submitted using NOAA-approved digital applications and conform to standardized electronic formats for seamless integration into NOAA’s existing long-term monitoring database. Monthly progress reports and an annual summary report are mandatory deliverables, with all final submissions due by January 1 of each year following survey operations. The sole-source nature of this action eliminates competition, and no set-aside preferences apply. Prospective offerors must submit a capabilities statement via email to Charles “Matt” Kendall at charles.kendall@noaa.gov no later than August 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time, with the exact subject line and in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format, with a combined attachment size not exceeding 20 MB. The government will evaluate submissions solely to determine whether to proceed with a sole-source award or initiate competition. The contractor must operate a twin-engine vessel approved for ocean use in the Pacific coastal environment, maintain compliance with FAA regulations for UAS
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Full Description
Notice of Intent For Single Source Contract - 143061-26-0088 - Gray Whale Surveys, Photo ID & UAS Monitoring
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to negotiate and award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 and RFO FAR 12.102(a), a firm fixed price purchase order to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Molecular Genetics Laboratory for the purchase of twelve (12) vessel-based surveys annually for Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales in coastal waters between Cape Blanco, Oregon and Cape Mendocino, California, vessel-based photographic identification surveys from a small boat platform and collect high-quality digital images of all gray whales encountered during surveys., and uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) surveys directly from the small boat survey platform while conducting vessel-based photo-identification operations. This contract is expected to have a period of performance of approximately one year with two option periods. This non-personal service requirement seeks a vendor that can perform the requested service in accordance with the attached Statement of Work. No set aside is to be used for this sole source requirement. The associated NAICS code is 541715.
This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation documents exist for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capabilities statement that includes technical data and cost information, sufficient detail, and convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to meet the requirement. All capabilities statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government.
A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source procurement.
Capabilities statements are due no later than Saturday, 15 August 2026, by 1700 Central Time. Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “- 143061-26-0088 - Gray Whale Surveys, Photo ID & UAS Monitoring”. To ensure your response, along with any and all attachments, is received, attachment(s) must be less than 20 MB [in total]. It is the responsibility of the offeror to contact the government to confirm receipt prior to the offer due date and time. Capabilities statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following POCs:
Charles “Matt” Kendall at charles.kendall@noaa.gov
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