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

B -- MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF COMMON DOLPHINS IN WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC SOL 52EANF900031 POC Annette Stevenson, Contract Specialist (757)441-6526, Lynne B. Phipps, Contracting Officer (757) 441-6881 WEB: EASC Homepage, www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: Contract Specalist, Annette.S.Stevenson@is7.easc.noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, has a requirement for Marine Mammal Research on the life history of common dolphins in Western North Atlantic. The contractor will be required to analyze common dolphin biological samples obtained from stranded and by-catch animals (both archived and new samples collected during contract period) in the North Atlantic, particularly from U. S. Atlantic waters. This research shall consist of four components: 1) collection of life history samples; 2) analysis of vital rate parameters; 3) analysis of common dolphin diet; 4) discrimination of population structure using morphometric techniques. The latter will involve collaborative work with Southeast Fisheries Science Center Scientist conducting common dolphin stock structure research using genetic techniques. The contractor shall provide life history information on sex, age, length, growth curves, reproductive status, age and size at sexual maturation, annual pregnancy rate, and duration of gestation. Common dolphin stomach analysis shall be conducted to provide diet information in sufficient detail to help evaluate two-way interactions between common dolphins an fisheries. Stock structure studies will provide information to determine whether multiple forms of common dolphin exist in the U.S. waters and relationship between common dolphins throughout the North Atlantic. The period of the contract will be from the effective date of award through September 30, 2000 with options for two additional years. The solicitation document will be issued on or about July 30. Any 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. Telephone requests will not be honored. Request may be faxed to (757) 441-3786. No contract award will be made on the basis of proposals received in response to this notice since this synopsis cannot be considered a Request for Proposal. Posted 07/02/99 (W-SN350154). (0183)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0016 19990707\B-0007.SOL)