S -- - NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE ORDER WITH MEC ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS INC. Notice of intent to negotiate a sole-source order with MEC Analytical Systems Inc. MEC will perform ichythyoplankton identification of larvae of seven rockfish species in samples from CalBORL plankton cruises in the southern California bight in 19 survey years from 1951 to 1969. Seven rockfish species are to be identified from larvae species. MEC shall record ID, counts, an dstage of development of seven species of rockfish larvae. All work will be performed at the National Marine Fisheries Service, SW Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) site in La Jolla, CA since samples must remain on-site. The Government will provide work space, microscopes, data forms, and other equipment and supplies needed to complete identification of the ichthyoplankton samples. Period of performance will be for one year. Award contemplated to MEC since it has recently completed update of ichthyoplankton IDs from SWFSC annual cruises conducted from period 1985 to 1996 and it has specific training and experience in ID of ichthyoplankton samples. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000.

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