The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), intends to, using simplified acquisition procedures, negotiate with the University of California at Davis, Wildlife Health Center, Davis, California. The University of California at Davis, Wildlife Health Center is uniquely qualified to develop research and response plans for investigating the role of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in marine mammal mortality for bottlenose dolphins unusual mortality events (UME) that have occurred along the Florida Panhandle. The University of California at Davis, Wildlife Health Center has published peer reviewed reports and protocols on the subject of marine mammal epidemiology and risk assessment. Stranding response protocols for killer whale diagnostics and necropsies that the NOAA, NMFS used were developed by the University of California at Davis, Wildlife Health Center. This requirement will be procured using simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13, through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-5. The Title IV of the Marine Mammal Protection Act mandates NMFS’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) to coordinate and oversee investigations into Marine Mammal in an effort to conserve and protect marine mammal populations, and to understand ocean and human health concerns. The MMHSRP has been leading the investigations into two significant UMEs involving bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the Florida Panhandle that occurred in 1999-2000 and again in 2004 in which over 200 dolphins died. The government anticipates that the research and response plans will result in its improved ability to respond to, and to investigate, future marine mammal mortality events. For the above reasons it would be untimely and too costly for any other organizations to provide the unique services of this requirement. An 18-month purchase order is planned. A justification for other than full and open competition (JOFOC) is on file.

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