The Department of Commerce/NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Center for Coastal Studies for follow-on large whale disentanglement services. Several species of endangered marine mammals are subject to entanglement in active and derelict commercial fishing gear. The endangered species of most concern in the northeast region of the United States is the northern right whale. The minimum population estimate upon which management actions are currently based is 300 animals for the Western North Atlantic stock of the northern right whale population. Scaring patterns on known individual right whales indicate that a minimum of 72% of the remaining population exhibit signs of entanglement in fishing gear. A second species of concern is the humpback whale. Entanglement for these whales is the most prevalent human-induced take observed in the Northeast. It is estimated that 50% of the humpback whales of the Gulf of Maine sub-stock bear scars from entanglements. Disentanglement of a live whale from fishing gear is an extremely dangerous operation that may result in injury to the whale and those attempting to free it. The goal of the National Marine Fisheries Service is to maintain a team of experts to respond to marine mammal entanglements and prevent entanglements from becoming fatal. The anticipated contract performance period is for one year plus zero option years. The statutory authority for this action is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. Fiscal year 2005 funds have been directed by Congress to the Center for Coastal Studies. The applicable NAICS code is 541710. The size standard is 500 employees. No award shall be made based on responses to this announcement as this is not a request for proposals. Numbered note 11 applies.

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