SAM #26-475

NOAA Sole Source Contract for Whale Monitoring Services in Southeast Alaska

NOAA is seeking to award a sole source contract to Alaska Whale Foundation for specialized whale monitoring services in Southeast Alaska. - Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - Vendor: Alaska Whale Foundation - Scope: Professional services for long-term whale monitoring - Integrated data collection: systematic surveys, photo-identification, UAS photogrammetry, biologging tag data - Two main projects: - Estimating gray whale abundance, habitat use, and energetic benefits in Sitka Sound - Identifying spatially and temporally important humpback whale foraging hotspots in northern Southeast Alaska - Requirements: - Ability to operate small research vessels in remote Alaskan waters - Significant peer-reviewed publication record in cetacean ecology or bioenergetics - Possession or ability to obtain NMFS research permits for gray and humpback whale research - Only Alaska Whale Foundation is identified as capable of meeting these requirements - Fieldwork involves 1-2 teams of 3-4 people, 3-5 days per week during summer - No commercial products are being procured; this is a service contract - Sole source justification based on unique qualifications and permits

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office (AGO), Management and Budget Acquisition Office (OMB), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 12.102(a) and 41 USC 190, with Alaska Whale Foundation . The requirement is for professional services to support long-term whale monitoring in Southeast Alaska.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s requirement for integrated data collection, including systematic surveys, photo-identification, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) photogrammetry, and biologging tag data. This requirement encompasses two primary projects: (1) estimating gray whale abundance, habitat use, and energetic benefits in Sitka Sound, and (2) identifying spatially and temporally important humpback whale foraging hotspots throughout northern Southeast Alaska to evaluate their ecological significance.

The stated vendor is the only entity able to execute the desired services as they must demonstrate the specialized capability to operate small research vessels safely in remote coastal Alaskan waters, possess a significant record of peer-reviewed publication in cetacean ecology or bioenergetics, and hold or be able to obtain the specific NMFS research permits required for gray and humpback whale research activities.

 ***This notice of intent 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 to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. 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 conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

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