This publication serves as notice of intent to procure services for the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Mammal Laboratory located in Seattle, WA on a sole source basis with Marine Research, Ltd. The government intends to acquire services using FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Proposed contract is for research and review of Southern Humpback Whales for National Marine Fisheries Service. The objective of this contract is to compile all relevant information on humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere for inclusion in the status review. The overall goal of the status review, of which this work is a part, is to assess the biological status of humpback whales globally. NMFS leadership will ultimately use this review to consider possible division of the global humpback population into DPSs, and based on the biological status of those DPSs, make recommendations for identifying the listing status of each specific DPS of humpback whales as consistent with the intent of the ESA. The Contractor shall review and synthesize all existing information on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, derived primarily from the IWC's ongoing Comprehensive Assessment of these populations. The Contractor shall work closely with NMFS scientists in the preparation of the review document. The contractors will then meet with appropriate NMFS staff to discuss issues such as potential DPS divisions, threats to each DPS, and status revisions. This face-to-face meeting would occur sometime in fall or early winter 2009. This assessment and its results require complex demographic modeling skills and a thorough understanding of whaling catch history. Contractors will be responsible for compiling their analyses into a report and delivering it to NMFS in late winter 2009. Dr. Jennifer Jackson of Marine Research Ltd has extensive involvement with the International Whaling committee process, she is a key component of the Comprehensive Assessment of Southern Humpback Whales including the modeling. The government intends to negotiate a firm- fixed price contract with a period of performance that will start May 18th, 2009 and ends Dec 31, 2009.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 15 days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the government. All responses must be in writing and may be faxed attention to Maria Mendoza at (206)527-7513or email at [email protected]. This is a small purchase action estimated value not to exceed $100,000.00. ****The Western Regional Acquisition Division, requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) as of October 1, 2003. After this date, NO award can be made unless the vender is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following web site: http://www.ccr.gov. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at www.dnb.com/eupdate or by phone at (800) 333-0505. All contractors are also required to complete online Representations and Certifications at HTTP://ORCA.BPN.GOV.