Department of Commerce, NOAA, 200 World Trade Center, Room 209, Norfolk, VA 23510-1624

B -- GENETIC ANALYSIS OF WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES, SOLE SOURCE SOL EASC 99-140 POC Annette Stevenson, Contract Specialist (757)441-6526, Lynne Phipps (757)441-6881 WEB: EASC Homepage, www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: Conract Specialist, Annette.S.Stevenson@is7.easc.noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, is issuing a notice of intent to negotiate a sole source award with the Center for Coastal Studies, to conduct genetic analysis of Western North Atlantic Right Whales. The study will continue genetic analyses on northern right whales from the critically endangered western North Atlantic population. Genetic profiling of the population is to include DNA from new samples added to the archive during the period of study. The genetic approaches required shall address a variety of questions including (a) census size of the population determined using genetic methods; (b) the effective size of the population (Ne); (c) historic level of genetic variation; (d) relationship between MHC genotype and female reproductive success and survival; and (e) relationship between reproductive performance and genetic structuring in the population. The Center for Coastal Studies has collected over 200 skin biopsy samples from right whales, which represents the majority of the individuals known to be in the western North Atlantic population. The Center for Coastal Studies can provide availability of microsatellite and MHC primers specific to right whales, and possesses the extensive library of species-specific nuclear genetic markers that are necessary for this requirement. The Center for Coastal Studies is uniquely qualified to provide the samples, scientific expertise and assistance needed to accomplish the objectives of the proposed project. The period of performance is September 26, 1999 through September 25, 2000. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 41 USC 253(c) (1), Only One Responsible Source. Interested parties may identify their interest and must provide evidence of their capability to respond to the requirement. Any party interested in receiving a copy of the solicitation shall provide written notice to the Contracting Office. The solicitation document will be issued on or about August 2, 1999. Fax request to (757) 441-3786. Telephone requests will not be accepted. No contract award will be made on the basis of quotations received in response to this notice since this synopsis cannot be considered a Request for Quotation. All responses from reasonable sources will be considered. This is a Simplified Acquisition with a value of less than $100,000. See Notes 22 and 26. Posted 07/14/99 (W-SN353948). (0195)

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