NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

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 Gladys Porter Zoo, Valley Zoological Society (VZS), Brownsville, TX using the procedures in FAR Part 13, to provide services to conduct sea turtle stranding surveys.  Specifically, they will conduct patrols three times per week from the Tepehuajes, Rancho Nuevo, Barra del Tordo, Altamira and La Pesca camps.  These patrols cover the prime sectors of the Kemp’s ridley habitat.  These patrols are in support of the ongoing stranding surveys on the Tamaulipas, Mexico coastline to document mortality and to evaluate potential causative factors.  Annual data are needed to understand the level of sea turtle strandings and to evaluate the trend(s) in strandings.  The epicenter of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting is located between La Pesca, in the state of Tamaulipas and Lechuguillas, in the state of Vercruz, Mexico.  Stranding data collected since 2001 have shown that significant strandings are occurring, both during the nesting season and throughout the remainder of the year.  Stranding data, collected in a systematic manner, and over the long-term, are a source of important information to inform conservation management to address threats and to provide information on mortality factors.     

To be comparable this current work in Tamaulipas, Mexico area must be done in a manner consistent with the bi-national program to protect the Kemp’s ridley nesting beach along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in conjunction with Mexico’s Instituo Nacional de la Pesca since 1989.   The VZS holds the necessary Mexican, federal, and state permits required to conduct this work which cannot be done without these permits in hand.  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 541990 with a business size standard of $15.0 million. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. A statement of capabilities must be received by 2:00 p.m., June 24, 2016. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to [email protected] by 2:00 p.m., June 24, 2016.