DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE intends to acquire services on a sole source basis with Third Rock Consultants, LLC. The government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. The applicable NAICS code is 541690 and the size standard is $7.0 million. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, the government will consider all proposals received within 10 days after date of publication of this synopsis. STATEMENT OF SERVICES: The Appalachian Highlands Network Inventory and Monitoring Program is seeking to contract with Third Rock Consultants, LLC, for professional services to establish a long-term freshwater mussel monitoring program at Big South Fork NRRA (BISO) and Obed Wild and Scenic River (OBRI). The Cumberland Plateau mussel fauna differs from mussel populations in other parts of the eastern U.S. because these mussel species are very sparsely distributed and therefore very hard to sample to determine quantitative trends. Doing so requires specific experience designing monitoring projects to efficiently detect trends in very low density populations. BISO and some of its headwater tributary streams are unique because of the presence of at least 26 freshwater mussel species including five that are currently Federally protected: Alasmidonta atropurpurea, Epioblasma brevidens, E. florentina walkeri, Pegias fabula, and Villosa trabalis. The mussels that occur here are a remnant fauna that is currently isolated by the impounded backwaters of Wolf Creek Dam located on the Cumberland River, and represents some of the best mussel populations that remain in the Cumberland River system. Currently, there are nine mussel species known from the Obed WSR. Of these, the Federally-listed Endangered Villosa perpurpurea occurrences in the Obed are critical for the survival of the species as a whole and represent one of only four known populations in existence. These services will include design, planning, field sampling and data analysis, as described below. All sites are accessible by vehicle. Specific tasks include: Task 1 - advising the Park Service on establishing a defensible and efficient long-term monitoring design, including establishing scientifically defensible sampling procedures, laying out the best configuration for permanent sampling transects, establishing the most efficient strategy for deploying sampling personnel, and defining a procedure for permanently marking the sampling transects at each site. Task 2: Carry out sampling at the four accessible long-term monitoring sites mentioned above. For this task, the contractor will provide four experienced malacologists, who hold the appropriate state and federal collection permits and who have experience with site specific random quadrat sampling, to serve as samplers, along with NPS personnel. Each site will be sampled sequentially. Work at each site is expected to require sampling 60 to 100 square meter quadrats and to take six to eight hours in the field to complete, including site reconnaissance, marking baselines and establishing sampling transects. Task 3: Provide a final report which provides a sampling design, describes sampling methods, analyzes sampling results and makes general recommendations concerning the design (location, schedule, sampling approach) of a long-term freshwater mussel monitoring program at BISO and OBRI. AUTHORITY: In accordance with FAR 6.303 and 6.304, this justification to enter into a contract with Third Rock Consultants, LLC, under the authority of 41 USC 253(c) (1) as outlined in FAR 6.302-1, is herein prepared on behalf of the Department of Interior, National Park Service. AGENCY: National Park Service (NPS), Appalachian Highlands Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, c/o 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803. The point of contact is the NPS, Southeast Region, North Administrative Servicing Unit Contracting/Procurement Office, Contracting Officer Diane L. Foote,
[email protected], 828-271-4779 x231 at address above. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, requires that all contractors doing business with this Procurement/Contracting 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. All contractors are also required to complete online Representations and Certifications at HTTP://ORCA.BPN.GOV. The Government reserves the right to make award without further discussion. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation