SAM #1333MF26Q0096_1_NOTICE

Sole Source Development and Enhancement of Flukebook Platform for NOAA Fisheries Science Centers

NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is seeking sole source development and enhancement services for the Flukebook platform. - Sole source procurement to Wild Me (of Conservation X Labs) - Services required: - Algorithm implementation: MiewID retraining, viewpoint agnostic MiewID, gray whale aerial detector - Processing and user-interface upgrades: bulk import improvements, matching interface improvements, exemplar identification field, change and verification input, collaboration and edit permission flexibility, user interface features - Final report incorporating review and feedback from cross-Center user team - All enhancements must be compatible with existing Wild Me infrastructure and Flukebook platform - Distribution of developments via open-source updates - No alternative commercial or off-the-shelf platform meets requirements - Competitive proposals only considered if firm can fully meet requirements

Period of Performance: - One year duration, no option years or annual subscription

Commercial Opportunity: - Sole source contract, but potential for competition if another vendor can fully meet requirements - Focus on software development, algorithm enhancement, and user interface upgrades for marine mammal identification platform

Key Details: - OEM: Wild Me (of Conservation X Labs) - Platform: Flukebook - Service quantity: 1 comprehensive development/enhancement project - All work must integrate seamlessly with existing NOAA Fisheries systems

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order, on a sole source basis, under the authority of RFO 6.103-1, with Wild Me (of Conservation X Labs) to support the development of Flukebook, coordinated across five NOAA Fisheries Science Centers.

The deliverables include: 1) algorithm implementation: MiewID retraining, viewpoint agnostic MiewID, and gray whale aerial detector, 2) processing and user-interface upgrades: bulk import improvements, matching interface improvements, exemplar identification field, change and verification input, flexibility in collaborations and edit permissions, and user interface features, and a final report incorporating review and feedback from the cross-Center user team.

The anticipated period of performance is 09/01/2026 - 08/31/2027.

***The Sole Source is based on NOAA’s determination that Wild Me (of Conservation X Labs is the only vendor that can provide the required service. 

The required service must be fully compatible in form, fit, and function with existing systems, and Wild Me is uniquely qualified as the sole source to meet this requirement. Wild Me’s Flukebook platform is critical to

for the following reasons:

No alternative commercial or off-the-shelf platform can meet the required specifications or

seamlessly integrate with the existing Wild Me infrastructure used across other NOAA

Fisheries offices.

Established Operational Standard: Flukebook is currently utilized by NOAA Fisheries and

global researchers to enable automated, collaborative matching of multiple cetacean

species.

Proven Capability & Efficiency: The platform features high-performing algorithms trained

on extensive, diverse datasets. It supports the ingestion of new data and algorithms,

avoiding the inefficiencies and sub-optimal performance of developing a system from

scratch.

Open-Source Enhancements: All ongoing developments, user-requested capabilities, and

emerging AI techniques will be distributed to NOAA Fisheries and the broader user base via

open-source updates at no additional cost.

Cost & Operational Efficiency: Reinvesting in a currently utilized system maximizes

efficiency and reduces total life-cycle costs by applying platform advancements across

multiple internal and external NOAA research programs.

***THIS PRESOLICITATION NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.  HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS MAY SUBMIT SUBSTANTIATING DOCUMENTATION OR A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE. SUCH REQUESTS AND 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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