The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) intends to negotiate with and award to Memorial University, Canada as a sole source in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1(a)(1) and pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1)--Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The requirement is classified as a commercial service and is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6. The requirement is to have 75 samples analyzed for the determination of fatty acid structures and is part of the NOAA ocean acidification study which examines the changes in the fatty acid composition due to increase atmospheric carbon dioxide. The project is looking at how ocean acidification might affect the food quality of phytoplankton to other marine organisms. Fatty acids must be analyzed by gas chromatography using methyl ester derivatives (FAME) with BF3/CH3OH (Boron triflouride/methanol). The protocol for making FAME derivatives can be found in Determination of Total Lipid, Lipid Classes and Fatty Acids in Aquatic Samples (Parish, 1999). A quick summary of the required methods is as follows: All glassware must be lipid and fatty acid clean. This will require muffling pipette tips and washing all vials in methanol and chloroform. Samples are then evaporated to dryness with nitrogen gas. Using hexane and boron triflouride, the samples must be heated and homogenized. Chloroform extract water must always be used when removing the fatty acid layer. All samples are to be stored under nitrogen gas until analysis with a GC. External standards must be used so that the fatty acid methyl esters could be identified. The following fatty acids must be identified for every sample: 14:0, Trimethyltridecanoic acid (TMTD),14:1, i15:0, ai15:0, 15:0, 15:1, i16:0, ai16:0, pristanic, 16:0, 16:1w11?, 16:1w9?, 16:1w7, 16:1w5, i17:0, ai17:0, 16:2w4, phytanic, 17:0, 16:3w4, 17:1, 16:4w3, 16:4w1, 18:0, 18:1w11, 18:1w9, 18:1w7, 18:1w6, 18:1w5, 18:2, 18:2, 18:2w6, 18:2w4, 18:3w6, 19:00, 18:3w4, 18:3w3, 18:4w3, 18:4w1, 20:0, 18:5w3, 20:1w11, 20:1w9, 20:1w7, 20:2a, 20:2b, 20:2w6, 20:3w6, 21:00, 20:4w6, 20:3w3, 20:4w3, 20:5w3, 22:0, 22:1w11(13), 22:1w9, 22:1w7, 22:2NIMDa, 22:2NIMDb, 21:5w3, 23:0, 22:4w6, 22:5w6, 22:4w3, 22:5w3, 24:0, 22:6w3, 24:1. Analyses data shall be returned to NOAA 30 days after the samples are sent out. This notice of intent is not a request for quotes. It is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the analysis of samples as listed will be considered, and are invited to submit substantiating documentation to the identified point of contact no later than the closing date of this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. The evidence required must include peer reviewed published papers showing results. Any information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. No solicitation package is available. Oral communications will not be accepted. The NAICS for this requirement is 541712. This requirement is not set aside for small business. The Government will consider all written responses received no later than June 19, 2013, If no affirmative written responses are received to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, the award will be made without further notice to Memorial University, Canada. For questions regarding this announcement, please contact Donna Sanchez via email at
[email protected]. The provisions and clauses that which to this requirement are as follows: 52.212-4 - Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (Feb 2012) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (Jan 2013) 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority 1352.209-73 Compliance with the laws 1352.209-74 Organizational conflict of interest