R -- NOtice of intent to negotiate a sole source contract with

Notice of intent to negotiate a sole source contractwith the University of Durham, Dept. of Biological Sciences Lab (UD) for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC). Purpose of proposed contract is to provide genetic analysis of killer whale tissue samples. Vendor shall conduct both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite genetic analyses on tissue samples collected from killer whales world-wide. Dr. Russ Hoelzel of UD is extremely qualified to conduct this research. He has produced several manuscripts reporting on killer whale genetics and is internationally known for his work on cetacean genetics. Dr. Hoelzel has collected his own killer whale samples for UD, which will also be provided to NWFSC as part of research under proposed contract. The study cannot be completed without samples that Dr. Hoelzel has obtained. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $50,000.