The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA is issuing an intent to negotiate a sole source procurement with Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS), Provincetown, MA, to continue to photographically document and analyze the scarification of Gulf of Maine humpback whales resulting from fishing gear entanglement. This study will use the existing humpback whale photo identification database maintained by PCCS supplemented with photos collected during 2007 to estimate the incidence and prevalence of gear scarification, and produce analyses on the population effects of these interactions with fishing gear. The planned period of performance shall be from July 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008. The work cannot be performed without the use of the extensive photo catalogue on individually identified humpback whales from the Gulf of Maine population that is curated at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA. The information from the sighting histories of humpback whales contained in the database is essential to the study. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 41 USC 253 (C)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The applicable NAICS code is 541710. Interested parties may identify their interest and must provide evidence of their capability to respond to this requirement by June 12, 2007. Responses to this notice, if any, must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the government. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to [email protected]. Note 22 applies.

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