****The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), to identify prey remains for marine mammal fecal materials. William Walker has more the 30 years of experience identifying prey remains for marine mammal fecal materials. He has an extensive reference collection of prey species from the California Current where the samples were collected which can be used to perform identification. His experiences in the field of pray identification provides consistent and reliable identifications. With extensive experience identifying prey species likely to be found in the California Current in southern and central California, and access to a reference collection of common rare species found in the California Current to identify species correctly. There has been no other vendors that could provide either the general services or the services specific to the region or species that will be sampled.

***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the space and service as described that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.