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

F -- COMPILE DATA ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PINNIPEDS, AQUACULTURE AND WILD SALMON RESOURCES IN ME SOL RFQ EASC 99-0161 DUE 091499 POC Lynne Phipps, Contract Specialist, (757) 441-6881, Melvyn DesJarlais, Contracting Officer, (757) 441-6647 WEB: click here to download a copy of the RFQ, http://www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist via, Lynn.B.Phipps@noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis with the MER Assessment Corp. for the acquisition of services to compile existing data and develop new information on the interaction between pinniped and aquaculture and wild salmon resources in Maine. The contractor shall document the method of pinniped deterrence currently employed on each aquaculture lease site; develop, in collaboration with selected grower(s), a reporting method to document seasonal/diurnal seal attacks on net pens, behavior of the seal before, during and after the attack, estimated losses on a per incident and cumulative basis, and to the extent possible, also document immediate and delayed effects of the event (stress, fishing going off feed, disease, etc.); determine, and where possible, document the effectiveness of current deterrent strategies and practices; document the effectiveness of the enhanced containment system in the Code of Containment in preventing predator-induced escapement (if implemented); and compile any existing data on the extent of seal interactions with aquaculture sites examining sources such as growers, the Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Aquaculture Association, insurance records, etc. The statutory authority for less than full and open competition is 41 USC 253(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The period of performance will be 9/24/99 through 9/23/00. Interested persons must identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement within 15 days of this notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Evidence must be provided of the ability to provide the required services. 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 31, 1999. Fax requests 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 responsible sources will be considered. This acquisition is being processed using Simplified Acquisition procedures. See Notes 22 and 26. Posted 08/23/99 (W-SN371198). (0235)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0090 19990826\F-0004.SOL)