The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Protected Resources Division is issuing a notice of intent to negotiate on a sole source basis with the University of Maine to research interaction between pinnipeds and Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Farms in Downeast Maine. This proposed research is designed to document the extent of the depredations on pen sites by seals and to understand the pattern of attacks and the behavior of seals near pen sites. The proposed research requirement is an expansion of data previously collected by the University of Maine on harbor seal and gray seal distribution and abundance in U.S. waters of the Gulf of Maine. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 41 USC 253 (c) (1), Only One Responsible Source. Interested parties may identify their interest and must provide evidence of their capability to respond to the requirement by September 25, 2001. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Numbered Note 22 applies.

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