***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) requirements for the vendor to provide conduct analyses of ecosystem health and the ecological condition of fisheries resources; develop time series of ecosystem pressures in the California current; develop time series of habitat quality and quantity in the California current; develop spatial maps of ecosystem risk in the California current; assists with the preparation technical and operational specifications for the studies; research the literature, both domestic and foreign, relating to the studies to be conducted; assemble pertinent data for analysis and interpretation; and assists with the preparation of scientific manuscripts consolidating, correlating, and interpreting the significance of data from various sources on the ecological phenomenon being studied.
As a result, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is the only known vendor that can provide this service. The delivery date will be July 31, 2012.

***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment 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.