National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)

Conservation Biology Division (CBD)

Sources Sought Notice

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) Annual Photo Identification and Health Assessment Services

This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) requesting information for market research purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10 Procedures. This is not a solicitation, nor does it guarantee a solicitation will be issued. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This is not a request for proposals and it does not obligate the government in any manner.

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking all sources capable of performing the requirements necessary to complete Southern Resident Killer Whale Annual Photo Identification Services in the coastal and inland waters of United States and British Columbia. A draft Statement of Work (SOW) is attached for detailed reference.

The Government anticipates awarding an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) type contract for services with a five (5) year performance period. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541620 and the small-business size standard is $19.0M.

The Government is especially interested in responses from small business concerns that are capable of performing the work described within this notice.

Response Requirements

Responses to this notice shall include the following:

Vendor Information

1. The vendor name and address, and a point of contact name, telephone number and e-mail address. The vendor point of contact shall have the knowledge and authority to clarify responses with Government representatives.
2. The vendor’s UEI number and company structure (corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.).
3. Written confirmation of the vendor’s registration in SAM (www.sam.gov). Offerors should be registered to be considered as a source.
4. The size classification of the vendor under the appropriate NAICS code, and if the vendor has SBA certification in any socioeconomic categories such as HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned small business, Woman-owned small business and/or 8(a) certified small business.

Capability Submission

1. Interested vendors shall submit a Capability submission crafted with focus on Section 3 Tasks of the SOW, which addresses the firm’s capability level. Vital components of this work are the ability to provide annual consensus, undertake health assessments and provide biological samples and deliver (by hand or overnight shipment on ice) them to the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) based in Seattle, Washington within 48 hours of collection.
2. If applicable, a description of the vendor’s past performance and experience with implementation of this type of support that is of a similar scope and size, including the general nature (Government or commercial entity, contract/purchase amount, etc.) relating to each of the past performance descriptions.
3. Identification of any Government contractual vehicles available for use for this requirement, such as GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract numbers and GWACs by agency and contract numbers, if applicable.

Capability submissions and other response requirements information shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist at [email protected] no later than 2:30PM Pacific Time on June 5, 2024. Email is the preferred method for correspondence regarding this Sources Sought Notice.

This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

Information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in the subsequent solicitation, if issued. This announcement is Government market research and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.