The US Forest Service is seeking sources for solicitation for butterfly autecology studies that will support the development of a management strategy. Project Area The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA)includes a total of 316,000 acres and is located 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. Project Summary and Goals The U.S. Forest Service (FS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) work cooperatively under a Conservation Agreement (CA) to protect sensitive species on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Four of these species have been identified as priorities for conservation: the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly (Icaricia shasta charlestonensis), Morand's checkerspot (Euphydryas anicia morandi), Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus robusta), and Spring Mountains dark blue butterfly (Euphilotes enoptes purpura). There is a need to develop a sound management strategy for these four species. In order to develop this management strategy it will be imperative to identify and fill key information gaps in our understanding of the following: Key life history and habitat information for each of the four butterfly species; Population management needs and objectives for these four species; Potential long-term threats and management prescriptions for these species. General Project Schedule: The U.S. Forest Service intends to post a Request for Proposals, (A seperate Pre-solicitation Notice will be published for that purpose),in the December 2007 - January 2008 time frame. Currently, we are developing a list of firms interested in providing a proposal for these services. It is anticipated that a contractor would be selected in March of 2008, and that a work plan would be due from the selected contractor in April or May of 2008. If the response to Sources Sought supports it, this procurement will be set-aside for other than large business. If the market research fails to produce an adequate number of small businesses, then the procurement will be advertised for full and open competition. The selected contractor will conduct studies for two consecutive field seasons. (May - October of 2008 and 2009). Interested parties should reply to this sources sought inquiry and furnish the following information to the Contracting Officer: Qualifications of key personnel who would be utilized for these studies. Include a CV, Resume, or other instrument for each key person and the company or firm as a whole, (if applicable), which demonstrates education, training, background and experience in these types of studies; Contact Information for references on past projects; Descriptions of past related projects completed (including location, species studied, purpose, methods, and summary of results) Information packages should be sent to the Contracting Officer. Please send in electronic format, via E-mail, if at all possible, otherwise mail to the address given below. Electronic submissions should be made to
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