B -- Microbial Community Assessment

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) in Oxford, Maryland has a requirement for technical and scientific services to provide data concerning microbial community diversity for ongoing watershed assessments in select Chesapeake Bay watersheds for a base period of one year and four one-year option periods. The purpose of this requirement is to apply advanced molecular tools to identify specific bacterioplankton community assemblages that are indictors of environmental change. The requirement includes: (1) design appropriate sampling strategy for assessing microbial diversity based on gradients within and among selected watersheds, (2) provide denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of genetic diversity of microbial populations in select Chesapeake Bay watersheds, (3) provide personnel for field support for assistance in sample collection, (4) perform data analysis interpretation of DGGE profiles in concert with other metrics being performed by COL staff, (5) provide written annual progress reports outlining research progress and quarterly summary updates, and (6) provide data associated with joint projects. The base period of performance is April 30, 2007 through April 29, 2008. It is NOAA’s intent to conduct this procurement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This procurement is being issued as a 100% Small Business set-aside in accordance with FAR 52.219-6 and the Government intends to solicit offers for a firm fixed price type contract. The applicable NAICS is 541710 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) will be issued on or about April 2, 2007 with responses due on or about April 16, 2007. The RFQ will be issued via electronic posting on the Federal Business Opportunity (FEDBIZOPPS) web page www.eps.gov. Hard copies of the RFQ will not be issued. It is incumbent upon contractors to monitor FEDBIZOPS for the release of the RFQ and all subsequent amendments. To be eligible for award, offerors must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), www.ccr.gov, and obtain and provide on the offer a DUNS number by calling 1-800-333-0505. For information concerning the procurement, please forward inquiries via e-mail to Sandie Wallace at [email protected].