R--Expert Technical Services in Support of the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) for Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to negotiate an indefinite delivery contract with Michael R. MacKinnon in support of the Joint Fire Science Program for the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex for the period March 21, 2004 through March 21, 2005. This project is a controlled experiment, examining the physical effects of prescribed fire (fuel loads) and biological effects, focusing on changes in plant community structure, density of the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel, abundance of forest interior birds, and invasive plant cover/presence. Tasks include the following: Capture, PIT-tag, and attach radio collars to Delmarva fox squirrels and monitor movements, analyze radio telemetry data using GIS, Locate II, and CalHome software programs, Collect botanical data using several standardized procedures including the preparation of voucher specimens (accurately identifies plant and tree species of Mid-Atlantic coastal plain forests), Conduct surveys of forest breeding bird populations using standard point count methodology (accurately identifies bird species of Mid-Atlantic coastal plain forests by sight and sound), Coordinate maintenance/repair of equipment and vehicles, Advertise, interview, hire, train, and supervise interns who will be supporting the study, and edit all data sets and data entries for accuracy and precision, generate reports containing brief analysis of the data. Interested firms may provide capability information for consideration in any future related contracts to the following address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Contracting and General Services, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589, Attn: Christopher Murphy.