Fishing Vessel Excalibur

***NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with EX 1 Corporation to provide the vessel Excalibur for a 28 day research cruise. ***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) requirement for a commercial fishing vessel to complete NOAA's annual Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) pre-recruit young-of-the year Rockfish and Ecosystem Assessment Survey. The contractor shall supply the personnel, survey vessel and trawl gear. Using the same fishing vessel will ensure that the time-series of the data collected is consistent and will ensure that the time-series is not compromised due to lack of previously calibrated catch and data capture experienced data collection. The period of performance shall be May 1, 2011 through June 15, 2011. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment and service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. 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 conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.