99--Notice of Intent to Issue a Single Source Award to VEMCO, a Division of Amirix Systems, Inc.

There is no solicitation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Contracting and General Services Division in Portland, OR have a requirement for the procurement of acoustic transmitters and underwater receivers manufactured by VEMCO for the Arcata Fish & Wildlife Office, Arcata, CA. These items are needed to conduct a juvenile coho salmon smolt residence study that will begin in spring 2007. The project is a cooperative effort between the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, Arcata FWO uses VEMCO acoustic transmitters because they have a robust coding scheme and make the smallest coded acoustic transmitter available today, which is crucial to the studies of juvenile salmon. Due to the proprietary nature of the VEMCO transmitters and receivers, only VEMCO units will interface with Arcata FWO existing VEMCO transmitters and receivers. Price of purchasing receivers and transmitters to replace those currently owned by AFWO from other companies would be cost-prohibitive. The Service intends to award Sole Source to VEMCO. This synopsis is a notice of intent to issue award using other than full and open competition and is not a request for competitive proposals. The determination of the Government not to open subject requirement to full and open competition was made IAW FAR 6.302-1.