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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF AUGUST 03, 2018 FBO #6097
SOLICITATION NOTICE

B -- US FWS R7 Marine Mammals Management Polar Bear FIE

Notice Date: 8/1/2018
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
NAICS: 541690 — Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Contracting Office: FWS, DIVISION OF CONTRACTING AND GE 1011 E TUDOR ROAD ANCHORAGE AK 99503-6199 US
ZIP Code: 00000
Solicitation Number: 140F0718R0009
Response Due: 8/10/2018
Archive Date: 8/25/2018
Point of Contact: Kuntz, Anthony
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK has a requirement for a commercial item or service. This combined synopsis/solicitation is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 (as supplemented with additional information included in this notice). This posting will be referred to under Request for Quotation (RFQ) Number 140F0718R0009. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. A written solicitation will be issued and attached to this posting for reference only. This RFQ falls under procedures in FAR Parts 12 and 13. This document incorporates provisions and clauses updated by way of the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) #05-99, effective Jun 15, 2018. This requirement is not set aside for small businesses and is full and open to all business sizes. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) number is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services and the business size standard is $15M. This announcement constitutes the Government's only official notice of this procurement. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this synopsis. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting proposals for the Wrangel Island Polar Bear Studies in accordance with the following Performance Work Statement: Performance Work Statement Wrangel Island Polar Bear Studies, 2018 to 2021 LOCATIONS Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, Wrangel Island, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia. BACKGROUND/HISTORY The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service żs (Service) Marine Mammals Management division seeks a qualified contractor to continue joint monitoring of the Alaska-Chukotka (AC) polar bear population on Wrangel Island, Russia, specifically to collect critical information on the ecology and status of the AC polar bear population through observational, genetic, and nutritional studies on Wrangel Island. This project may last from one to three years (i.e., 2018-2020). This project is being conducted under the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Conservation and Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population (U.S.-Russia Agreement), an international treaty signed in 2000. The cooperative polar bear monitoring program (Program) on Wrangel Island has been developed through the Scientific Working Group of the joint U.S.-Russia Commission which is responsible for making management decisions concerning polar bears in this region. The resulting information is required to help conserve the AC polar bear population and meet United States treaty obligations with Russia. Further, a cooperative work agreement between the governments of the United States of America and the Russian Federation (PROTOCOL of the Area V Working Group, "Conservation of Nature and the Organization of Reserves") was signed March 2016 that included conducting joint monitoring of the AC polar bear population on Wrangel Island and Alaska. This work will allow United States and Russian Federation governments to meet the obligations of treaties and agreements. This project was recently identified as żhigh priority ż by the Scientific Working Group (SWG) designated to advise Commissioners of the U.S.-Russia Agreement, within the document Information Needs and Joint Research Studies on Wrangel Island (2016-2018) as finalized at the group żs 7th Annual Meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on 13-14 November 2016. Accurate and up-to-date scientific information on AC polar bear population is required to address the conservation and management challenges, in accordance with the U.S.-Russia Agreement, the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, and national laws (which in the U.S. include the ESA, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act). To address this information need, the Service and partners have conducted a live-capture study of polar bears in the Chukchi Sea region during the years 2008- 2016. Although this study has produced valuable information on the status of the AC population, it has provided only indirect information on the ecological role of Wrangel Island based on the movements and habitat use of adult female polar bears fitted with satellite tracking devices. Furthermore, findings of positive body condition and reproduction for AC polar bears from studies in the U.S. portion of the Chukchi Sea region have not been reconciled with indices of potentially declining body condition and reproduction collected on Wrangel Island. Historically, more intensive direct observational studies occurred on Wrangel Island in the autumn, to evaluate the number and distribution of resting bears; and in the spring, to evaluate the number and distribution of maternity dens. In recent years these studies have not been conducted, or have been conducted intermittently or with an inconsistent sampling design. In 2016, in an effort to gather up-to-date information in a consistent manner and address żhigh priority ż studies, a pilot cooperative study among the Service, Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, and the All-Russian Research Institute of Nature Protection was undertaken with the following objectives: żEstablish a working relationship between Russian and U.S. colleagues. żEvaluate polar bear body condition in autumn. żEvaluate activities of polar bears on land (for example, resting or feeding). żGather field data on characteristics of observed polar bears: sex and age composition of animals encountered, family group composition (including their sex, age, and reproductive status). żAssess areas for placement of hair snare stations, possible biopsy darting and capture locations. żTrain inspectors to identify bears by age and sex to help with consistent field information gathering in future surveys. Building on the success of the pilot study, in 2017, the żCollaborative Polar Bear Studies on Wrangel Island ż, a three-year collaboration among the Service, Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, and the All-Russian Research Institute of Nature Protection, was started. This study is designed to provide critical information on the ecology and status of the AC polar bear population through observational, genetic, and nutritional studies on Wrangel Island. The collection, analysis, and interpretation of scientific data on Wrangel Island will be conducted collaboratively by Russian and American researchers using a consistent sampling design. The resulting information will be used to improve management and conservation of the AC population as required under the U.S.-Russia Agreement. The objective are to: 1)Understand the ecology of the AC population during the summer, which is the season with the greatest declines in sea-ice extent and an important period in the life history of polar bears. Reconcile ecological observations that occur in summer on Wrangel Island with observations that occur in spring in the U.S. portion of the Chukchi Sea region, to develop an improved understanding of the year-round ecology of polar bears. a)Evaluate polar bear body condition in autumn. b)Evaluate polar bear diets during late summer and while on land. c)Evaluate activities of polar bears on land (e.g., resting or feeding). d)Evaluate on-land space use and movements of male polar bears. e)Gather field data on characteristics of observed polar bears: sex and age composition of animals encountered during summer period (ice free period), family group composition (including their sex, age, and reproductive status). 2)Monitor use of Wrangel Island by polar bears, including interannual variability and trends over time. a)Evaluate the feasibility of estimating the number of bears (and proportion of the AC population using Wrangel Island during the summer and autumn ice-retreat season), including the sex, age, and reproductive status of bears; noting that abundance estimation is contingent on obtaining a sufficient number and distribution of genetic samples over multiple years. b)Evaluate phenology (e.g., timing of arrival on land) of polar bears using Wrangel Island. c)Model the value to polar bears of different habitats on Wrangel Island for resting, foraging, movements, and denning; and seek to identify the most important polar bear habitats. d)Evaluate environmental conditions (e.g., sea-ice extent and timing) that affect use of Wrangel Island. The first year of field work was conducted in September and October, 2017. SCOPE Field Methods The contractor will follow the field methodology described in the Collaborative Polar Bear Studies on Wrangel Island and are as follows: Method 1. Ground-based visual surveys to estimate indices of abundance, distribution, demographic composition, and body condition of polar bears on Wrangel Island during the autumn. Systematic ground-based surveys will be conducted in key polar bear habitats by trained staff of the Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve (WISNR) and collaborating researchers using a systematic survey route, during an approximately two-week period in September of each year. Surveys will be conducted using teams of staff on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), with lodging provided by a series of cabins located on the island. Information will be recorded for each group of polar bears sighted including the date and time, number of polar bears observed, position as determined by Global Positioning System, estimated sex and age, estimated reproductive status (e.g., presence of single bears or family group), estimated body condition using a standardized visual index on a scale of 1 to 5, and activity using standardized categories. Evidence of feeding will be noted as well as the type of food sources, when possible. Photo registration will be conducted whenever possible. Data will be analyzed using hierarchical models and potentially occupancy models to identify key habitats, polar bear distribution, polar bear density, demographic indices, and nutritional status as appropriate based on sample sizes and other considerations. Method 2. Collection of genetic samples via systematic hair snaring during ground-based visual surveys (study 2) and biopsy darting of polar bears on Wrangel Island. High-quality samples of genetic material from hair snares and biopsy darting (in contrast with lower-quality genetic samples from opportunistic collection) will be collected as feasible during the same time frame as the ground-based visual surveys, from multiple locations on the island with the goal of obtaining similar geographic coverage as the ground-based visual surveys. Each year, we will seek to deploy at least six baited hair snare stations, with sample collection occurring for approximately one week per station. WISNR staff will also collect biopsy darts from free-ranging polar bears, as feasible and contingent upon assessing and minimizing disturbance to resting polar bears. Samples collected from hair snares and biopsy darts will provide data to supplement multiple lines of investigation. Genetic identifications could provide minimum estimates of polar bear abundance on Wrangel Island in the autumn, including sex composition. We note that a more extensive network of frequently-monitored hair snare stations would be necessary to estimate total abundance of bears on Wrangel Island using capture-recapture methods. Genetic identifications will also compliment live-encounter data collected in the U.S., thus increasing sample size for capture-recapture modeling and providing information on the distribution and genetic relatedness of bears. Hair samples may also be used to estimate polar bear diets during the summer based on analysis of stable isotope or fatty acid composition, recognizing that summer is a potentially critical foraging period that affects or limits annual energetic budgets for polar bears in this region. For Method 2, a critical part of collection of genetic data is coordination across agencies and regions for a systematic and standardized analysis of all available data. All genetic samples will be subdivided, and laboratory analysis will be performed in the U.S. using standardized methods as identified by the Scientific Working Group (SWG) formed to advise the Commissioners of the U.S.-Russia Agreement. Hair samples will be stored at room temperature (i.e., not frozen) in paper sample bags containing desiccant, using standard methods for archival of genetic samples. Collection and shipment of samples will occur under proper permitting including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Data Collection Data storage and sample tracking will be performed using a combination of spreadsheets and an existing relational database used by the Service for ongoing capture-recapture projects. All data will be shared annually among primary collaborators on the project. A data sharing agreement will be developed to ensure that use of the data obtained from this study, including presentations, reports, and publications, has prior approval by collaborators. Reporting The contractor will prepare a field report that includes summaries of fieldwork performed and data collected. Schedule Field work will be conducted over a two-week period from mid-September to mid-October, 2018. Exact dates will be ultimately dictated by weather and availability of transport to Wrangel Island. The contractor should expect travel to and from Wrangle Island to take one week each way, for a total trip duration of up to eight (8) weeks. Field work may be conducted on a similar schedule in 2019 and 2020. Qualifications and Requirements In addition to basic field biology skills, the contractor must have the following specialized experience: żDemonstrated expertise conducting and leading polar bear observation studies, including descriptions of age/sex class, body condition and behavior żExperience with obtaining permissions from or working with the Russian government to conduct fieldwork in restricted areas of remote Russia, preferably on Wrangel Island żFamiliarity and comfort with operation of four-wheelers and other off-road vehicles in remote locations żExperience conducting fieldwork in remote Russia, preferably on Wrangel Island, having limited communications from the field, and working with primarily non-English speaking colleagues żValid U.S. passport that does not expire before May 2019. żProof of acquiring a visa for travel to Russia within the last 5 years OR no known impediments to acquiring a visa for travel to Russia Government Furnished Equipment None Deliverables The contractor will submit a report that includes summaries of fieldwork performed and data collected by December 14, 2018. Option Years Subject to availability of funds, monitoring may be conducted in 2019 and 2020. The basis for award is Best Value to the government. Organization to be supported: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7 Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge King Salmon, AK 99613 Please submit your proposal on the attached SF-1449 or company letterhead with all pertinent point of contact information including SAM, Cage Code, DUNS No., and business size/type. In addition, your proposal should provide unit price and total price. No formal format is required as this is a combined synopsis/request for proposal solicitation. Offers must be received by 5:00 pm Eastern Time, 08/10/2018, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd M/S171, Anchorage, AK or preferably emailed at Anthony_kuntz@fws.gov. Offers received after this date and time will be considered non responsive in accordance with 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. Offerors must comply with all instructions contained in the Internet Payment Platform (IPP) DOI Electronic Invoicing instructions, and all clauses in the attached solicitation documentation. The full text of any solicitation provision or clause referenced herein may be accessed electronically at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/. In order to have a proposal considered, all offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) website (https://www.sam.gov) as an active vendor by the closing date of this solicitation. Additional document information and attachments can be accessed at the FedConnect link under the (Additional Info) heading or at www.fbo.gov. Click (Public Opportunities) and search by using the reference number 140F0718R0009 to find any documents related to this requirement. All questions regarding the subject synopsis/solicitation shall be directed to the attention of Tony Kuntz via email: anthony_kuntz@fws.gov or telephone: (907) 786-3436.
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Record: SN05015195-W 20180803/180801230820-e949b7f1a4de28d5c14d9e26b2dfcb15 (fbodaily.com)
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B -- US FWS R7 Marine Mammals Management Polar Bear FIE