This is an RFI (Sources Sought) intended to obtain information/potential sources. The government may or may not issue a solicitation or contract for this requirement, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information in connection with this RFI (Sources Sought). The Government is requesting sources with the capability of performing within the standards outlined in the below SOW. Submit company information and synopsis of past performance that pertains to work described in the SOW to include similar locations along with proof of the authority to perform the service within the confines of the locations outlined in the below SOW. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arctic Goose Monitoring and Research Statement of Work 1. GENERAL The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Division of Migratory Bird Management seeks a qualified consultant to monitor Arctic nesting goose populations, and conduct targeted research, approved by the Artic Goose Joint Venture on Arctic nesting geese. The primary purpose of this work is to monitor several Arctic nesting goose populations and to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data and population parameters estimates (population estimates, survival rates, harvest rates, etc) to use in harvest management models and inform management decisions. 2. BACKGROUND The Service has supported Arctic Goose Surveys and Monitoring Programs since the establishment of the Arctic Goose Joint Venture in 1989. This work is carried out across many areas of Arctic Canada. The Canadian Wildlife Service has planned, coordinated and conducted these surveys and monitoring programs annually since 1989 and has provided data and reports the Service. The data resulting from these projects will be used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make harvest and habitat management decisions for Arctic nesting geese. Project Name: Description: A) Arctic Goose Banding Used to estimate annual survival and harvest rates B) Karrak Lake Nesting Study Provides estimates of productivity for the Karrak Lake colony C) Greater Snow Goose Survey Provides a population estimate from nesting colonies D) Greater Snow Goose Telemetry Study Provides data on movement patterns and survival E) Arctic Goose JV Administration Administrative support for the Arctic Goose JV 3. WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY CONTRACTOR A) Arctic Goose Banding: The Contractor will need to capture and band as many Arctic Nesting Geese as possible from the following locations in northern Canada, listed from south to north (Figure 1): Akimiski Island, James Bay, NU (Lesser Snow Geese); Cape Henrietta Maria, Ontario (Lesser Snow Geese); La Perouse Bay, Manitoba (Lesser Snow Geese); west coast of Hudson Bay, NU (Ross Gess); Southampton Island, NU (Lesser Snow Geese and Ross Geese); Baffin Island, NU (Lesser Snow Geese and Ross Geese) and Queen Maud Gulf, NU (Lesser Snow Geese and Ross Geese). The Contractor will also band other arctic nesting geese at the following locations: Southampton Island (cackling geese, Atlantic brant); Baffin Island (cackling geese, Atlantic brant); Queen Maud Gulf (White-fronted geese, cackling geese). B) Karrack Lake Nesting Study: The Contractor will be required to estimate the population size of Lesser Snow Goose and Ross Goose colonies at Karrack Lake using a grid of sample plots within the colony boundary. Furthermore the contractor will need to monitor nests at sample plots to determine nest success or failure to estimate colony productivity. C) Greater Snow Goose Survey: The Contractor will be required to estimate the population size of the Greater Snow Goose Population in the Atlantic Flyway. The entire population makes a major stopover along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. The contractor will conduct two complete aerial surveys photographing all flocks encountered in the St. Lawrence Valley. The contractor will sample the photographs and estimate the population sizes for each aerial flight. D) Greater Snow Goose Telemetry Study: The Contractor will be responsible for monitoring 25 greater snow geese equipped with solar Argos/GPS transmitter. The Contractor will then be required to estimate the proportion of the Greater snow goose population observed and photographed during the aerial surveys in southern Qubec and eastern Ontario to produce an unbiased continental population estimate. Furthermore, the contractor will be responsible for determining fine scale movement patterns during the annual cycle to better understand population response to management practices and better inform future management actions, notably those directed to increase US harvest rate. E) Arctic Goose JV Administration: The Contractor will be responsible for providing the Artic Goose Joint Venture Administrative support. Specifically the contractor will be responsible for providing a scientific peer-review and ultimately make recommendations for funding for proposals submitted to the AGJV. The contractor will also attend both annual meetings of the JV. 4. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS/SERVICES None. 5. QUALIFICATIONS The Contractor must have at least 5 years demonstrated work experience working in remote regions of Arctic Canada. Similarly, the Contractor must have 5 years demonstrated work experience conducting aerial surveys, handling live geese, banding geese, and being skilled in GPS telemetry. The Contractor must possess a current banding permit issued by Canadas Bird Banding Office, as well as any other permits that federal, provincial, and First Nations governments require for working in these area and handling captured geese. Also established working relationships with Arctic Goose Joint Venture, provincial and federal governments, and local native communities are required. 6. SUMMARY OF MILESTONE DUE DATES The Contractor shall provide a complete set of banding schedules for the banding office by 15 September of each year. 2012 Field Season: Raw and summary data will be provided to the Division of Migratory Bird Management in a report no later than the 1 year mark of this contract. 2013 Field Season: Raw and summary data will be provided to the Division of Migratory Bird Management in a report no later than the 2 year mark of this contract. 7. DELIVERABLES The Contractor shall submit to the Division of Migratory Bird Management an annual report that details the survey and banding operations. The annual report will also summarize the key findings will be provided to the Division of Migratory Bird Management. The report may be provided electronically via e-mail. 8. PROJECT COMPLETION/DELIVERY SCHEDULE The projects shall be completed by 31 August each year and the annual report shall be submitted no later the 1 or 2 year of this contract. 9. ADDRESS FOR DELIVERABLES All deliverables shall be submitted to the following addresses within the specified timeframes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attention: Ken Richkus Chief, Branch of Population and Habitat Assessment Division of Migratory Bird Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 11510 American Holly Drive Laurel, MD 20708 Phone: (301) 497-5994 e-mail:
[email protected] 10. TRAVEL EXPENSES Travel expenses will not be covered. 11. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE This period of performance of this order shall begin upon the date of award, through 31 January 2014 with a Government option for extension for up to four additional years. 12. LOCATION OF WORK Work will be conducted throughout the Eastern, Central, and Western Arctic in Canada, as well as in the St. Lawrence River Valley in southern Quebec. 13. TECHNICAL LIAISON The Technical Point of Contact for this task order is: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attention: Tom Cooper Division of Migratory Bird Management 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 950 Bloomington, MN 55437 Phone: 612-713-5338 Email:
[email protected]