P -- - NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT WITH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. Notice of intent to negotiate a sole-source contract with Texas A & M University to conduct a review of the government's Steller Sea Lion research and analyze current government data on Sea Lion energetics and foraging ecology in an effort to identify the cause of the decline. Provide support and conduct analysis of population survey data, foraging information gained from satellite-linked time-depth recorders and other instruments. Provide a report summarizing review and conclusions of the research program and suggest modification or improvements. This is a small purchase action with an estimated amount of less than $100,000.

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0499 19980309\SP-0011.MSC)