Synopsis:  Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number: NFFKPR00-20-02381

Project Title: Sea Turtle Support Services

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide Sea Turtle support services.  Services include the Processing of sea turtle tissues for histological examination, staining of tissue samples for detection of infectious agents or characterization of disease processes, analysis of biological samples for pathogens, laboratory analysis of blood and bodily fluids, diagnostic imaging, procurement of prescription medications required for field studies, and sanitary disposal of animal remains following necropsy.

A NOAA/NMFS/OPR Veterinary Medical Officer is strategically stationed at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in order to effectively respond to stranding events and to investigate mortality events in the southeast United States. The deliverables included in this contract require close proximity (within the same hospital network) to the service provider in order to provide timely results for veterinary cases, maintain efficient continuity of work flow, and to fulfill basic logistical requirements. Medical support services are often provided under circumstances that require timely sample processing, analysis, and reporting of results to inform situations that affect the welfare and medical treatment of live protected species, or in response to urgent situations where regulatory or enforcement action may result. Alternative providers for these services require samples to be shipped elsewhere or otherwise transported, adding days or weeks to turnaround time and leading to delays and significant reductions in efficiency that interfere or prevent NOAA/NMFS/OPR from meeting our obligations under the ESA.

The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a business size standard of $16.5 Million.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on the Contract Opportunities website.

The determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Randall Chatfield, [email protected]

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:  Announcement Number: NFFKPR00-20-02381.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 12:00 PM EST on August 28, 2020.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

The solicitation will remain open from August 11, 2020 to August 28, 2020.