The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is issuing an intent to negotiate a sole source procurement with The University of Maine, Marine Sea Grant College Program, to investigate the nearshore migration of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine Region. The requirement will provide for study of the Atlantic salmon?s anadromous life cycle which involves major migration between natal rivers and oceanic feeding grounds, for the National Marine Fisheries Services, Gloucester, Massachusetts. Monitoring of rivers around the North Atlantic over the past thirty years has confirmed that there has been a significant decline in overall marine survival, particularly for southern North American and European stock. Mandatory restrictions on exploitation of salmon has not helped produced a positive stock level of salmon, as previously thought. The University of Maine, Marine Sea Grant has conduct scientific studies on the aquaculture of Atlantic salmon and collaborated to develop scientific methodology of factors affecting marine mortality in the inshore zone, as those influencing fitness of migrating smolt, those affecting the fish to move from fresh to salt water (and back) and the anthropogenic factors operating within the inshore zone. The continuity and success of this comprehensive study is imperative to the NMFS mission in understanding how oceanographic variability influences salmon productivity and the effect on other living marine resources within a region. The University of Maine posses the necessary knowledge and skills required to ascertain the scientific methodology to continue NMFS ongoing research program to alleviate reduction in survival of Atlantic salmon. The statutory authority is 41 U.S.C.253(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The applicable NAICS code is 541690. The size standard is $6,000,000.00. All applicable awards shall be in compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). CAR clause 1352.239-73 Security Processing Requirements for Contractors/Subcontractor personnel for accessing DOC Information Technology Systems (Oct 2003) will apply. Interested parties may identify their interest and must provide evidence of their capability to respond to this requirement by August 9, 2007. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Note 22 applies.

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