58 -- NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED CONTRACT IS TO PURCHASE WILDLIFE COMPUTERS BRAND MK9 ARCHIVAL TAGS. THE MK9 TAG IS ATTACHED TO MARINE MAMMALS AND IS DESIGNED TO STUDY SEALS, PENGUINS, LARGE PELAGIC FISH AND OTHER DIVING MARINE MAMMALS. THE MK9 M EASURES DEPTH, TEMPERATURE, AND LIGHT-LEVEL, AND ALSO DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN WET OR DRY CONDITIONS. WILDLIFE COMPUTERS AND L OTEK WIRELESS ARE THE ONLY TWO KNOWN VENDORS THAT PRODUCE SUCH TAGS. THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) INTENDS TO PURCHASE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF TAGS FROM BOTH WILDLIFE COMPUTERS AND LOTEK WIRELESS TO DETERMINE WHICH BRAND TAGS BEST MEET OUR NEEDS. THE PROPOSED CONTRACT ACTION IS FOR SUPPLIES OR SERVICES FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SOLICIT AND NEGOTIATE WITH ONLY ONE SOURCE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 6.302. INTERESTED PERSONS MAY IDENTIFY THEIR INTEREST AND CAPABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENT OR SUBMIT PROPOSALS. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. HOWEVER, ALL PROPOSALS RECEIVED WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS SYNOPSIS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS A SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF LESS THAN $100,000.