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B -- MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH, LIFE HISTORY OF COMMON DOLPHINS IN WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC SOL RFQ EASC 00-0087 DUE 051900 POC Lynne Phipps, Contract Specialist (757)441-6881, Melvyn DesJarlais, Contracting Officer, (757)44106647 WEB: click here to download a copy of the RFQ, http://www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting office via e-mail, Lynn.B.Phipps@noaa.gov. The Eastern Administrative Support Center (EASC) intends to acquire for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) contractor services to analyze common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) biological samples obtained from stranded and by-caught animals (both archived and new samples collected during the contract period) in the North Atlantic, particularly from U. S. Exclusive Economic Zone waters from the Atlantic coast of Florida to the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary line. Fishery observers collect biological samples from incidentally caught animals and stranding responders sample carcasses that are in good condition. This research consists of four components: (1) collection of life history samples; (2) analysis of vital rate parameters (Ferrero and Walker 1995); (3) analysis of common dolphin diet (Gannon et al. 1997); and, (4) discrimination of population structure using morphometric techniques (Heyning and Perrin 1994). The latter will involve collaborative work (i.e., comparison of stock structure findings, providing tissue samples for DNA analysis, etc.) with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) scientists conducting common dolphin stock structure research using molecular genetic techniques (Amos 1993; Rosel et al. 1994). Under this contract 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. A comprehensive analysis of common dolphin stomach material is required. The analysis shall be conducted in sufficient detail to provide diet information (i.e., reconstruct prey size based on hard parts) to help evaluate two-way interactions between common dolphins and fisheries (i.e., comparison of size range between prey in stomachs and fishery and research vessel catches). The location and number of known samples are: currently approximately 80 Delphinus skulls are contained in the collection at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian). Additionally, a small number of skulls are archived in collections at several academic institutions in New England (Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, Northeastern University, UMASS at Amherst, and Wheelock College). Archived at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are approximately 156 stomach samples, 55 of which have already been analyzed. Approximately 90 sets of reproductive tissues, 1 fetus, 121 jaws, 138 blubber, and 122 muscle samples are archived at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. Specific locations of new samples cannot be determined in advance and it is uncertain how many new animals will become available during the contract period. The contractor must be familiar with the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and if applicable, shall have a valid MMPA Scientific Research Permit. The period of performance for this contract will be June 1, 2000 through January 31, 2001 with an option for one additional performance period of February 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. The anticipated issue date for the solicitation is 15 days after the date of this synopsis. Requests for the solicitation must be in writing or by fax. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Fax number (757) 441-3786. 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. This is a Simplified Acquisition with a value of less than $100,000. Posted 04/26/00 (W-SN448961). (0117)

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