***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 Oikonos-Ecosystem Knowledge to perform seabird necropsies..

***The sole source determination is based on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) requirement to continue this important program. Oikonos-Ecosystem Knowledge will be engaged to be a central clearing house for birds retained by observers during 2017 - 2019 from throughout the North Pacific basin. Full science necropsies will be completed following established protocols, data and samples gathered, and food habit materials provide to the AFSC.
***This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can 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.