B -- Salmon Imprinting and Reproduction Research

This publication serves as a notice of intent to procure, on a sole-source basis, with the University of Washington (UW). There are two main components to the required work: 1) determine the critical periods for imprinting by sockeye salmon by exposing juvenile salmon to known odorants at key developmental sates and testing fish for long-term memory of these odorants. The following are required for the work: a) maintain odor exposure equipment and odorants, b) conduct biweekly sampling of fish for tissue and physiological assays to assess smolting and imprinting, c) analysis of data from video-taped odor choice experiments, and d) electro-olfactogram assessments of 3+ year old imprinted sockeye salmon, and 2) determine endocrine mechanism whereby body growth affects age of sexual maturity and oocyte development in coho and chinook salmon, and determine effects of photoperiod manipulation on spawn timing in spring chinook salmon. The following are required for this work: a) rearing of chinook and coho salmon on specified rations to control growth rate in different groups of experimental fish, b) collection of tissues and plasma from experimental fish, c) measurement of plasma and pituitary gonadotropins, plasma sex steroids, and IGF I by radioimmunossay, d) measurement of ovarian gene transcripts (gonadotopin and growth hormone receptors, IGF I and IGF II, steroid acute regulatory protein) from experimental fish by real time PCR, e) design of photoperiod regime to manipulate spawn time, f) histological analysis of goad development from experimental fish, g) analyze carcass samples for lipid levels, and h) statistical analyses and interpretation of data collected from experimental fish. All analyses and fish rearing will be conducted at the NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA. The period of performance will begin on date of contract award (approx. mid-April 2004) and continue through three months.****The Government intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with the UW, as we believe this is the only source with such unique expertise, qualifications and experience to perform the work. All interested concerns must submit documentation in writing demonstrating the capability, expertise, qualifications and experience to perform the necessary work to Sharon Kent, NOAA, WASC, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA. This notice may represent the only official notice of such solicitation. See numbered Note 22.****All contractors doing business with the Government are now required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following web site: http://www.ccr.gov. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award, all offerors must have a Dunn & Bradstreet Number. A Dunn & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dunn & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505.