NOAA's Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with The Ocean Foundation to conduct sea turtle research. NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center has a need to assess the global status of sea turtles, apply genetic analysis to define units to conserve and address management needs. This project seeks to collect genetic data and compile current and new data for multiple sea turtle species to evaluate threats, assign turtles caught in fisheries to natal nesting beaches, estimate population parameters (e.g., age to maturity and adult sex ratios) and understand population dynamics. The proposed project consists of coordinating and engaging researches to collect marine turtle genetic samples from key nesting and foraging sites in the Caribbean, including Guyana, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, St. Croix and other Caribbean islands.

The Ocean Foundation has conducted efforts on protected species since 2005. During this time, they developed partnerships and demonstrated relationships with key sea turtles researchers and genetic experts throughtout the Caribbean. The Ocean Foundation has the materials, knowledge to train sea turtle researchers in hatchling sampling which is a novel technique in sea turtle genetic sampling. Furthermore, they have expertise in shipping sea turtle samples to NMFS under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES) regulations and have the ability to acquire the necessary permits for shipping future samples.

This notice represents the only official notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. It is the Government's belief that only The Ocean Foundation can complete the work and provide the deliverables under this contract. However, firms that believe they can provide the services required in this project that fully meet 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. Questions concerning this announcement must be emailed to Maria Mendoza at [email protected] or faxed at (206)527-7513. This is a simplified acquisition.

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