R -- Notice of Intent to negotiate sole source contract

This requirement is being procured and an award will be made in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures. The office of NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory located in Seattle, WA intends to procure on sole-source basis with North Pacific Wildlife Consulting LLC to assist National Marine Mammal Laboratory scientists with research on Ribbon Seals in the Kamchatka Peninsula Russia. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all vessels, permits, and other logistical needs for the project. The contractor will provide travel for qualified Russian scientists and assistants to help with all of the field operation and data collection needs required to accomplish the described tasks. The contractor will act as liaison with the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography for the Russian Academy of Sciences, and whenever necessary the contractor will provide translators for communicating with customs officials, scientists, and locals knowledgeable with the area and with ribbon seals. The contractor will assist with the deployment of various types of capture nets and assist with the capture, instrumentation and release of ribbon seals. The contractor will provide travel for qualified Russian scientists and assistants to help with field operation and data collection needs required to accomplish the described tasks. The government will provide travel for all other scientists. The contractor will also be responsible for obtaining all vessels, permits, and other logistical needs. Equipment and supplies can be purchased through this contract for use on this contract project. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all vessels for the project. Contractor will also be responsible for providing all of the communications and geo-positioning equipment, and materials such as anesthetic drugs, epoxy and batteries which can be difficult to import into Russian territories. Most of the other equipment, including seal capture, handling and instrumentation gear will be supplied by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Conducting research in Russian waters requires a unique combination of scientific, local and political contacts as well as specialized knowledge of the are and wildlife, North pacific Wildlife consulting has these qualities and experience. They have proven track record of conducting similar work in the Russian Far East over the last four years. This notice may represent the only official notice. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000.00. ****The Western Administrative Support Center Acquisition Management Division, requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) as of October 1, 2003. After this date, NO award can be made unless the vender is registered in 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 from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at www.dnb.com/eupdate or by phone at (800) 333-0505.