Various Wildlife Studies for JBER, Alaska

CONTRACT INFORMATION: Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 the US Army Corps of Engineers , Alaska District, intends to award contracts to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for wildlife studies concerning the Cook Inlet Beluga (CIB) whale, wolverine, and other wildlife over the next year (2011 -2012). The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G ) has the management expertise, previous historical data, and jurisdiction for the management of terrestrial and marine mammals for the State of Alaska. For the CIB, ADF&G will Record/log both social vocalizations and echolocation activity of the Cook Inlet Beluga whale, and other odontocete species, to detect their presence and seasonal shifts in distribution. The scientists will determine the relationships among specific acoustic behaviors and whale behavior visually observed at the surface; catalog the acoustic behavior of CIB as they forage for prey through the deployment of a D-tag; monitor the seasonal usage of Eagle River by CIB and determine extent of upstream forays through the Eagle River Flats Impact Area using C-POD acoustic loggers; characterize the ambient sounds, both anthropogenic and natural, within Cook Inlet to determine the beluga acoustic environment, and explore if that acoustic environment may result in the physical displacement of CIB. Background: The ADF&G maintains a strong presence in marine mammal conservation because of the great importance of these species to Alaska. ADF&G conducts numerous long-term, nationally and internationally recognized research projects, which also supplement and compliment those undertaken by federal agencies and Alaska Native organizations. The majority of funding is obtained from federal sources through grants submitted by marine mammal staff. The results of these projects have substantially increased their knowledge of the biology and ecology of Alaska's marine mammals, which has subsequently: Improved the understanding of how marine mammals interact with commercial fisheries Provided important information to Alaska Natives for their subsistence use of marine mammals Been integrated with wildlife viewing programs that provide the public with opportunities to view and photograph marine mammals Provided a credible, objective source of information for organizations concerned about the impacts of various human activities on marine mammals The marine mammal program works closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the two federal agencies that assumed jurisdiction for marine mammal management in Alaska in 1972 with passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition, their program works with the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee and Alaska Native marine mammal organizations to promote co-management of marine mammals. In addition ADF&G has identified the Alaska wolverine by the Ecosystem Management Team and the JBER-Richardson INRMP as a species of management concern; a more concerted effort to live trap and collar this species on was initiated in the winter of 2008, this project aims to continue this effort through a combination of ground based live trapping and aerial capture of animals. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however , all proposals received within date specified in the notice will be considered by the Government ." A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.