SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Examining stock structure of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Southeast Alaska through environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Notice Date
- 7/1/2016
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division - Boulder, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, Colorado, 80305-3328, United States
- ZIP Code
- 80305-3328
- Solicitation Number
- NFFS7300-16-02999DR
- Archive Date
- 7/12/2016
- Point of Contact
- DianaRomero, Phone: 303-497-3761
- E-Mail Address
-
diana.romero@noaa.gov
(diana.romero@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY The Government is currently conducting market research to gather information and identify potential sources for the requirement identified below. A solicitation is not available at this time, and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, in support of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), seeks potential vendors in examining stock structure of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Southeast Alaska through environmental DNA (eDNA) NOAA is to conduct a genetic study of the regional population structuring of harbor porpoise within Southeast Alaska using eDNA extracted from seawater samples. This study will expand on the results of a pilot study conducted in this area during 2015 to explore the feasibility of using eDNA samples to genetically detect harbor porpoise. The proposed genetic investigations and expected results of the study are provided below. Various collaborators will be involved in this project including staff members from the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and individuals responsible for the collection of the samples. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating with ongoing research efforts and contribute to all aspects of study design, sample collection strategy, development of taxon-specific genetic markers, genetic sequencing and data analysis. The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) requires that the contractor further optimize genetic markers suitable for use with low detection eDNA samples targeting highly variable regions of the harbor porpoise mitochondrial genome. The contractor must be familiar with stringent protocols for handling samples that typically yield very low quantity/quality DNA, and a variety of molecular genetic procedures including Sanger sequencing, and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). The contractor will be required to draw upon established collaborations with NWFSC to ensure consistency with the quality controls implemented during the pilot study. In addition to mitochondrial markers, the contractor is expected to explore possible nuclear genetic markers that may be informative for population genetic structuring analyses and identification of hybrid porpoise. Laboratory protocols shall be consistent with those currently employed at NWFSC and SWFSC. A researcher whose experience in this field is known by both Agency staff and independent cetacean researchers in Alaska is necessary to expedite this research and ensure the overall success of the project. A better understanding of the structure and definition of harbor porpoise populations in Alaska is key to reliably interpreting existing and future data on by-catch, abundance, and trends in this region. Genetic studies exploiting novel sources of porpoise DNA offer the best means of obtaining such information within a relatively short time-frame. This work will lay the foundation for further assessments. This contract will require 5.5 months of a salaried position for a Ph.D. research scientist with expertise in both cetacean ecology and molecular genetics. The contractor will generate molecular genetic data as detailed above. This contract will involve collaborative research among researchers at MML, SWFSC, NWFSC, and the Vancouver Aquarium research group. Please provide the following information as requested: 1) A statement that you believe that your firm has the capability to meet these requirements and perform these services. Please include relevant experience and other pertinent information that demonstrates your ability to complete the requirement. 2) Your firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; 3) Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is a small business, HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman Owned or SBA 8(a) program certified; All information received in response to this notice shall be treated as Business Sensitive or confidential to the responder, exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Proprietary information submitted should be marked appropriately. All submitted information shall remain with the U.S. Government and will not be returned. The response date for this request for information is no later than COB July 08, 2016. No collect calls will be accepted. All responses may be submitted via e-mail to Diana Romero, Purchasing Agent, at diana.romero@noaa.gov. The phone number for the Purchasing Agent is (303) 497-3761.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/MASC/NFFS7300-16-02999DR/listing.html)
- Record
- SN04169611-W 20160703/160701234026-cedf58d63377d407cdc89ffc4e67cfa5 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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