Sole Source Notification for Coral Plate Recovery of the Coast of Alaska

***NOAA'S ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER AND THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) DEEP SEA CORAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM (DSCRTP) INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), WITH THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME (ADF&G) OUT OF KODIAK, AK FOR VESSEL CHARTER AND CREW SUPPORT FOR THE RECOVERY OF CORAL PLATES. ***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S (NOAA) DETERMINATION THAT ADF&G IS THE ONLY SOURCE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE, EQUIPMENT, AND VESSEL TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE REQUIRED CORAL PLATE RECOVERY IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA. THE ADFG SCIENTISTS, VESSEL AND CREW ARE UNIQUELY EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED FOR THIS NEED. THEY POSSESS THE ROV AND EXPERIENCE TO OPERATE IT AND CONDUCT ROV SURVEYS IN THIS AREA ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS, BOTTOM TOPOGRAPHY, MECHANICS AND LOGISTICS OF CONDUCTING THIS OPERATION AND ARE OFFERING AN AFFORDABLE COST TO THE GOVERNMENT. LOGISTICALLY WE WILL CONDUCT THIS OPERATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR ANNUAL ROCKFISH SURVEY IN THE AREA WHICH IS A TREMENDOUS COST SAVING TO THE GOVERNMENT SINCE THEY WILL BE ON LOCATION, HAVE A FULLY STAFFED CREW AND ROV ON BOARD WHICH AVOIDS COSTLY DAYS IN PORT FOR MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION AND TRANSIT TIME. ***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.