The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) requires the charter of a vessel to conduct surveys of Steller Sea Lion pups and to conduct other research activities on sea lions in the Russian Far East. Surveys of Steller sea lions will be conducted in the Kuril Islands from Kamchatka Peninsula to the Southern most end of the Kuril chain during the sea lion pupping period of June – July 2005. Counts at these sites will include the total number of live and dead pups, territorial males, juveniles, and other nonpups. Counts must be obtained from land when possible. The count records must contain a description of the counting methods, date, time, and weather condition at the time of the count. When seen Sea Lions marked with numbered brands or flipper tags will be recorded and reported. The Contractor will be responsible for branding a designated sample of pups at all major rookeries (>50 pups) in Russia. Observational studies are requested to monitor Steller sea lion rookeries and haulout sites for branded and tagged sea lions, record reproductive behavior and age and sex of sea lions. Sites to be monitored include Medney Island, Tuleny Island, Brat Chirpoev Island, Antsiferov Island, Lovushki Island and Raykoke Island. The NMML will provide the contractor with the data format and collection protocol to insure compatibility of data to similar data collected by the government on US Steller sea lion rookeries. These observations will last for 6-7 weeks during the end of May to mid July at all sites except the Medney and Tuleny Island sites where the observations will last for 2 months, approximately from the end of May to early August. Contractor will provide travel for scientists and will be responsible for obtaining all vessels, permits and other logistical needs. A Request for Proposals (RFP) providing detailed technical and performance specifications and proposal instructions will be issued on or about February 14, 2005. This procurement is 100% set-aside for Small Business. The NAICS code is 541990 and the size standard is $6.0 million. For further information, please contact Stephanie Kyles at 206-526-4425 or by email at [email protected]. All questions should be addressed to Ms. Kyles and emailed to the stated address. Mandatory Clause: The Western Administrative Support Center, Acquisition Management Division, requires that all contractors doing business with this acquisition office must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) before October 1, 2003. After this date, NO award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following web site: http:///www.ccr.gov/. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505.

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