SAM #ACQ-26-0805

NOAA Sole Source Cetacean and Seabird Observer Services for 2026 IWC-POWER Survey

This notice announces NOAA's intent to award a sole source contract for specialized cetacean and seabird observer services in support of the 2026 IWC-POWER survey in the Gulf of Alaska and eastern North Pacific Ocean. - Agency: Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) - Sole source vendor: WildSEA Inc., San Pedro, California - Requirement: One highly experienced marine mammal and seabird observer for a 50-day vessel-based survey aboard the Japanese R/V Yshin Maru #2 - Duties include visual observation, species identification, photo-ID photography, photo database management (using Adobe LightRoom), seabird identification, data collection, report writing, and presentation of results - Observer must have at least 24 months as a cetacean observer on large vessels, prior participation in at least one POWER survey, four or more years of relevant experience, proficiency in Adobe LightRoom, and basic Japanese language skills - Ability to spend up to two months at sea with limited communication - Period of performance: Late July through end of September 2026 (approx. 50 days at sea), with potential for continuation for at least three years - No specific products or part numbers; this is a specialized service procurement - NOAA believes only WildSEA Inc. can meet these requirements due to the unique combination of experience and skills needed

Description

Special Notice: ACQ-26-0805

NOAA / NMFS / AFSC

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with WildSEA Inc., of San Pedro, California, to procure the following:

Provide cetacean and seabird observer to collect data during a large-scale, vessel-based, line-transect cetacean survey in the Gulf of Alaska. Services to include sighting, identifying, and documenting species all cetaceans and seabirds observed, photo-ID photographer, photographic database manager and writing summaries of photo-ID encounters, presenting the seabird observation results in a clear and concise manner, generating all relevant summary tables, and reviewing the final version of the report.

The NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) requires a cetacean and seabird observer to collect data during a large-scale, vessel-based, line-transect cetacean survey in the Gulf of Alaska. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), in conjunction with NOAA, and the Government of Japan have been conducting a collaborative marine mammal survey, the Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (POWER) survey, since 2010 in the North Pacific. Data from these surveys are used to estimate population abundance and density for several target species, including North Pacific right, blue, sperm and fin whales, all of which are listed under the ESA, and beaked whales. This year’s POWER survey will occur in the southern Gulf of Alaska and eastern North Pacific Ocean, from 40° N to the US EEZ border, and from 135°W to 155° W. The Marine Mammal Laboratory is seeking an experienced marine mammal observer with extensive experience in marine mammal visual observing, photo-ID photograph collection, photo database management, and seabird identification for participation in the 2026 IWC-POWER survey.

The AFSC Research Fishing Gear Program is responsible for the construction and repair of all trawls used for both survey and research purposes. There are a variety of trawl types that all have different characteristics to meet the requirements of the survey or research to be completed.

Knowledge and skills required:

- At least 24 months cumulative experience working as a cetacean observer from large (>150 ft.) vessels using hand-held binoculars during systematic line-transect data collection efforts.

- Experience should be in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, or in an area that includes the same key large whale species (offshore Washington/Oregon/California).

- Given the unique challenges presented by the IWC-POWER survey (extremely long 50 day survey with no in-ports; traditional Japanese vessel with traditional food, customs, rules, and language spoken; etc), the observer must have participated in at least one POWER survey.

- Four or more years’ experience in photographing cetaceans from a moving vessel for photo identification and in archiving digital photographs of marine mammals.

- Four or more years’ experience identifying cetaceans to species level including cryptic beaked whales.

- Four or more years’ experience identifying sea birds to species.

- Four or more years’ experience processing raw image photographs and manipulating large datasets.

- Four or more years’ experience counting and documenting seabird species in a manner consistent with traditional seabird surveys.

- Proficient in using Adobe LightRoom photographic database software.

- Experience preparing datasets and scientific reports on cetaceans.

- Basic Japanese sayings, as well as field-work and vessel-specific vocabulary in Japanese, to be able to communicate with the crew

The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541990, with a Small Business size standard of $19.5M.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC), in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and the Government of Japan have been conducting a collaborative marine mammal survey, the Pacific Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (POWER) survey, since 2010 in the North Pacific. Data from these surveys are used to estimate population abundance and density for several target species, including North Pacific right, blue, sperm and fin whales, all of which are listed under the ESA, and beaked whales. This year’s POWER survey will occur in the southern Gulf of Alaska and eastern North Pacific Ocean, from 40° N to the US EEZ border, and from 135°W to 155° W. The AFSC Marine Mammal Laboratory requires an experienced marine mammal observer with extensive experience in marine mammal visual observing, photo-ID photograph collection, photo database management, and seabird identification for participation in the 2026 IWC-POWER survey.  

The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed price contract. This Special Notice of Intent to a Single Source is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.  However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing.  Submissions are due no later than July 1, 2026, at 5pm Eastern Time.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses may be emailed to Christie.Lang@noaa.gov. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. It is the Government's belief that only can WildSEA Inc., of San Pedro, California, can provide the requirements stated above.

Attachment

Redacted Single Source Determination

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