B -- EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF ELECTRIC DISPERSAL FISH BARRIER

Notice Date

August 23, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Army Engineer District, Chicago, Corps of Engineers, 111 North Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606-7206

ZIP Code

60606-7206

Response Due

August 31, 2001

Point of Contact

For contractual information contact Katherine L. McClendon (312)353-6400 X1701

Description

This is not an RFP, but a survey to locate potential sources capable of performing the proposed work. Minimum capabilities must include documented evidence of experience and expertise. Firms with capabilities to perform the work listed below should submit complete information to procuring office identified in this notice in three copies within seven (7) days from date of this notice. Information furnished shall include (1) the number and professional qualifications of scientists, engineers, technical and other appropriate personnel; (2) company experiences related to the proposed project; (3) a description of general and special facilities; (4) a current financial statement and (5) other literature which demonstrates minimum capabilities listed below to perform research on the effectiveness of the electric dispersal barrier to repel fish in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal across all seasons, in a variety of flow regimes, and across the range of electrical output generated by the barrier. The barrier is being constructed near milepost 296 on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Pre-project data gathered by the University of Illinois must be utilized and incorporated into the final report. This work will include but not be limited to monitoring the movement of both pelagic and benthic fish species, tagging fish using PIT tags just after the barrier becomes operational and tag recaptures monthly thereafter. Sampling must be done both above and below the barrier at least once each month at least three stations above and below the dispersal barrier at 1-km intervals. The information must be recorded (identification number of each fish, species, length, point of capture, point of recapture, etc.) in the field on a laptop computer, with periodic paper printouts to back up the electronic files. Coordination is required with the barrier construction contractor test the barrier's effectiveness at varying levels of the electric field. Fish must be marked and sampled for recaptures at least twice following any change in barrier operation. Explore whether movement of fish across the barrier changes with season, operating characteristics of the barrier, flow rate, and other related variables. An annual report must be provided to the Great Lakes Protection Fund and Corps of Engineers within 90 days after the completion of each annual segment and a final report after completion of the entire research project. The final report will be included in a report to Congress. The operator of the sampling boat must be certified in marine safety and seamanship by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or an equivalent agency and will have had previous experience operating boats on Lake Michigan. The principal investigator must demonstrate experience in the use of scientific methods on similar research efforts and knowledge of fish in the area of concern. The principal investigator must be an aquatic ecologist and demonstrate experience on fish studies and invasive species in the Illinois Waterway and the Mississippi River. . If the evaluation of responses received concludeds that none of the responding firms have the necessary capabilities, negotiations may be conducted with University of Illinois on a non-competitive basis.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010827/BSOL001.HTM (W-235 SN50V8R6)