SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- PROVIDE ANALYSIS OF GENETIC SAMPLES FROM PILOT WHALES AND SPERM WHALES - RFQ
- Notice Date
- 6/6/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98115-6349
- ZIP Code
- 98115-6349
- Solicitation Number
- WAD-AB133F-13-RQ-01777
- Archive Date
- 7/6/2013
- Point of Contact
- Maria L Mendoza, Phone: (206)526-6671
- E-Mail Address
-
Maria.L.Mendoza@noaa.gov
(Maria.L.Mendoza@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- SOW SF-18 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only Request for Quote (RFQ). Written quotes are being requested. A hardcopy written RFQ will not be issued. The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) requires an analysis of genetic samples from pilot whales and sperm whales in order to examine the social and foraging ecology of deep-diving odontocetes. The proposed study is to take place in the Great Bahama Canyon allowing comparison of the behavioral ecology of these species in an area of high sonar use at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) with the surrounding low disturbance areas in the canyon. This project will provide baseline information to identify biologically relevant population units and evaluate population-level effects of anthropogenic sounds on cetaceans in the northern Bahamas. This project will provide key baseline data on animal movements in areas without acoustic stimuli to relate to future work monitoring whale movements during sonar exercises at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). This project will also contribute baseline information for the Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (ICMP) recently initiated by the US Navy. The project has been funded by the Navy through an Interagency Agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Navy sonar has been linked to unusual strandings of beaked whales and other odontocete species, highlighting the need for baseline information on the behavioral ecology of priority species. To fill key data gaps, the contractor will employ molecular genetic analyses to evaluate the feasibility of examining population and social structuring for both short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), thus providing key information to facilitate the identification of significant population units and allow future estimation of gene flow within and among study areas; a critical piece of data for understanding and mitigating the effects of anthropogenic activities on these acoustically sensitive populations. Project Details Molecular genetic approaches will be employed to assess both population and social structuring of sperm whales and pilot whales both within and among sites across the survey region in the Great Bahama Canyon. The researcher will be required to utilize a suite of molecular genetic markers including polymorphic nuclear loci (microsatellite markers), mitochondrial sequencing (1000bp control region) and sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY). These markers will be used to generate multi-locus genotypes for individual samples collected from individually identified whales. Optimization of laboratory protocols will be performed for the genetic analysis of sperm whale samples. Genetic analysis will be conducted on all existing BMMRO (Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization) tissue samples collected from both pilot whales and sperm whales, as well as those to be collected during the June 2013 ship-based survey. Genotypic data generated using a suite of molecular genetic markers, appropriate for examining patterns of molecular genetic heterogeneity in these species, will provide a critical first-step towards examining the population structuring and social organization of these enigmatic deep-diving odontocetes. Assessing the genetic population and social structuring of these cetacean species in the Great Bahama Canyon will contribute significantly to the understanding of population structure across the North Atlantic. The Bahamas are an important area to address sperm whale stock structure as they lie between the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) where unique haplotypes have been found, and the North Atlantic where multiple haplotypes have been identified (Engelhaupt et al. 2009). There also exists a lack of information regarding stock structure of short-finned pilot whales in this area that represents a potential confluence of western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Carribean populations. Analyses of samples from the Bahamas will provide data to address these data gaps and facilitate examination of patterns of gene flow that are likely responsible for social and geographic population delimitation. This contract will require 12 months of a salaried position for a researcher to generate molecular genetic data from the collected samples and quantify the patterns of genetic divergence among sites within Great Bahama Canyon. Technical Requirements In order to meet the requirements of this contract, the researcher MUST meet the following minimum qualifications: (1) A minimum of 7 years' experience with molecular genetic techniques on odontocetes at the Ph.D level (2) A minimum of 7 years research experience with odontocetes in the Bahamas (3) Prior experience with the use of molecular genetic markers on sperm whales and short-finned pilot whales, including polymorphic nuclear loci (microsatellite markers), mitochondrial sequencing (1000bp control region) and the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY). (4) Confirmation of having research access to sperm whale and pilot whale samples collected by the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization (BMMRO). Deliverables: A report documenting: • A full description of all genetic methods. • Quantification of DNA extracted from all collected samples and an assessment of sample viability for future analyses of population genetic structuring. • Genetic sex determination for both pilot whales & sperm whales. • Mitochondrial control region haplotypes identity for both pilot whales & sperm whales. A database containing: • The mtDNA sequence of each sample. • The nuclear genotype of each sample. • The sex of each sample. • All molecular genetic data linked to corresponding field collection data. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541690 with a size standard of $14M. The government intends to issue a firm fixed price contract with period of performance commencing approximately from date of award through June 2014. All interested parties must respond to this announcement within fifteen (15) calendar days of its publication. Interested firms shall provide with their quote, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm's capability and experience meeting the requirements herein. All responses must be in writing and may be faxed to (206) 527-7513 attention to Maria Mendoza or email at maria.l.mendoza@noaa.gov. This is a simplified acquisition. This notice is hereby issued as RFQ No.AB133F-13-RQ-01777. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this RFQ and resultant award. CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS The FAR (52) and CAR (1352) clauses incorporated into this acquisition are: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (JUNE 2008) 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (AUG 2009) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (JUN 2010), 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (AUG 2011) 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority (APR 2010) 1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws (APR 2010) 1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest (APR 2010) FAR 52 clauses and provisions are available on the internet website: http://www.arnet.gov/far. CAR 1352 clauses and provisions are available on the internet website: http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/docs/DOC_Local_Clauses_PM2000-03A2.pdf.
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/WASC/WAD-AB133F-13-RQ-01777/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: SEATTLE, Washington, United States
- Record
- SN03081882-W 20130608/130606235634-30271549c00465878564fdf5db14b0ad (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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