Non-Personal Services for Photopigments HPLC Analysis

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office (AGO), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder (WAD), and the Oceanic and Atmopsheric Research (OAR) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Auburn University located in Auburn, AL for use of non-personal HPLC services to determine photopigments for phytoplankton on 1000 lab samples to be performed at Auburn University in Auburn, AL.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s requirement that Auburn University is the only laboratory source that has the equipment, resources, and abilities to perform this work as outlined above. Photopigment analysis is very specialized and only a handful of labs actively determine concentrations. The Auburn University research team examines photopigments, especially cyanobacteria photopigments, in lake systems around the world. Research focal areas include paleolimnology and population dynamics.

It is critical to keep the analysis and experiments consistent and this can only be done using the same process by Auburn University, as they are specialized for freshwater pigment analysis. This service applies directly to the GLERL scientific research concerning harmful algal bloom. It is governed under the following mandate: “NOAA HAS BEEN GIVING THE AUTHORITY AND HAS A FEDERAL MANDATE (HABHRCA LEGISLATION S: 1254; 2018 PL 115-423) TO MONITOR HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM GROWTH AND TOXICITY IN THE GREAT LAKES. This procurement applies to this mandate.

Period of Performance: 10/01/2025-09/30/2027.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.