The U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ecological Services, Mexican Wolf Recovery Program intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR Part 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirement), 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), to White Mountain Animal Hospital, 1939 W. White Mountain Boulevard, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 for veterinary services; training in wildlife handling and chemical immobilization; and veterinary care/services during the aerial capture and survey of wolves. The period of performance of this contract will start when the contract is issued for a base year and 2 option years subject to the availability of funds. This action is intended to be awarded without competition for the following reason. White Mountain Animal Hospital and Dr. Peter Alcumbrac is the only Veterinarian/Animal Hospital that can provide darting, emergency surgery on wolves, and holding of wolves, and ordering of immobilization chemicals. Dr. Alcumbrac possesses a unique combination of wildlife veterinarian experience and hospital availability in the southwestern United States. The White Mountain Animal Hospital is located proximally to occupied wolf range, and is a desirable location for animals in need of transport for urgent veterinary care. Dr. Alcumbrac has been the wolf project veterinarian since the reintroduction of the species in 1998 primarily through contracts with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Dr. Alcumbrac is specifically authorized through the Federal and State permitting process to handle and medically treat Mexican wolves. Dr. Alcumbrac has over 16 years and over 170 hours of capture and aerial darting experience specifically with Mexican wolves, and has taught an annual handling and chemical immobilization course to colleges and project staff. It is through Dr. Alcumbrac and the White Mountain Animal Hospital that the project currently receives and uses chemical immobilizing drugs. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541940 with a size standard of $7.5 million. This is not a request for proposals and no solicitation is forthcoming. However, firms that believe they can provide these services in their entirety must submit a written notification of interest and capability to the Contracting Officer by the date and time indicated. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. This notice in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. Questions or comments pertaining to this action or written notification of interest and capability may be emailed to Lisa Rodriguez, Contracting Officer at
[email protected] or call (505) 248-6797, not later than 1200 (EDT), January 26, 2018.