R--SERVICE CONTRACT - PLAGUE FIELD TECH

Plague is a highly virulent vector-borne disease that has had dramatic effects on populations of many species of mammals (including humans) worldwide. Plague was introduced to North America from Asia ca. 1900, spread throughout the western United States by 1950s, and invaded western South Dakota in 2005. It is the primary threat to conservation of federally listed Utah prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. The disease may be spread among prairie dog colonies by other species of rodents that live in the intervening habitat. The USGS Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) is conducting a research study to identify which species of rodents are responsible for maintaining and spreading plague. The USGS-FORT Principal Investigator (PI) requires a contractor to assist in the conduct of this study in the vicinity of Badlands National Park, South Dakota.