Scientific support and Vessel services to one feeding stock of both Fin and Sei whales in the western North Atlantic

*** National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (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 Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts. NOAA has a requirement for scientific support services for the collection of individual identification and movement data of both species in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and surrounding waters, through the use of standard techniques that include photo-ID, genetic sampling, and instrumentation. ***The sole source determination is based on the NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) need for scientific support and vessel services to one feeding stock of both Fin and Sei whales in the western North Atlantic. The Center for Coastal Studies is the only company that has developed a multi-decadal photo-identification catalog for fin and sei whales, including photo-identification, biopsy and breath sampling and they hold federal authorization to conduct these activities. NOAA has used and needs to continue to use the required data collection with the proprietary technology for this study. The period of performance is 05/01/2022 through 04/30/2023 with two options period through 04/30/2025. The option years may or may not be exercised at the discretion of the Government. ***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet 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.