U--WAFWA EOC SAGE-GROUSE COORDINATOR

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking the procurement of membership to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) for support of the Sage-grouse Executive Oversight Committee (EOC). This will help support the position of WAFWA EOC Sage-grouse Coordinator. Period of Performance will be as follows: Base Period: Date of Award to 4/30/2016 Option Year One: 05/01/2016 to 4/30/2017 Option Year Two: 05/01/2017 to 4/30/2018 Option Year Three: 05/01/2018 to 4/30/2019 Option Year Four: 05/01/2019 to 4/30/2020 USGS is a member of the EOC. Other members of this organization include WAFWA, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA). The EOC members work collaboratively to facilitate data and information management and access; provide technical, management, and scientific information in support of understanding the sagebrush biome; and where appropriate ensure that all products reflect the best available science and receive independent, scientific peer review. As the science agency within the Department of the Interior, USGS has a significant involvement and interest in providing financial support for the ongoing needs of the EOC. Through its continued involvement in the EOC, USGS is able to communicate and collaborate with State and Federal partners about continued sage-grouse research and management efforts and steps needed to improve future actions. The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), unless it is contacted by any who believes they have obtained similar technical expertise and can provide the same service. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Andres Castro via email at [email protected] no later than 2:00 PM EST, Thursday, July 30, 2015 with an affirmative answer. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION STATES THE FOLLOWING PART: The following information is provided to demonstrate the proposed contractor's unique qualifications: The EOC is the only organization run through a joint Memorandum of Understanding between WAFWA (the 11 state wildlife agencies) and the primary federal agencies with interests in sage-grouse and sagebrush steppe habitat management. The award provided will help support the ongoing research, management and oversight efforts of the EOC and fund the position of EOC coordinator.