F--Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source contract for General Biological Services to Assist the USFWS inConducting Candidate Conservation Activities for the Yellow-Billed Cuckooin the Kern River Valley, California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Endangered Species Program, Sacramento, California, intends to award under FAR 6.302-1 Only One Source No Later Than 2/26/2009. USFWS requires field survey work, habitat assessment and inventory services which will enable the Service to collect information and conduct surveys on existing and restored habitat on the South Fork Kern River for the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)(YBCU). The work will assist the Service in determining the current status and range of the YBCU and if restoration efforts have been effective and determine appropriate habitat restoration techniques for future restoration efforts. The Southern Sierra Research Station (SSRS) of Weldon, California is uniquely qualified to provide the proposed general biological services. Personnel of SSRS have conducted scientific research on birds of conservation concern, including the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, in the Kern River Valley for over 20 years. In addition, SSRS has conducted extensive Yellow-billed Cuckoo surveys and research in California, southern Nevada, and Arizona during the last 23 years. SSRS (specifically, Murrelet Halterman) has been instrumental in developing the current Yellow-billed Cuckoo survey protocol and methodologies, and continues to improve our understanding of this species' habitat and nesting requirements. The breadth of SSRS's experience gives them unique insight into the requirements of studying this elusive species. SSRS is located in the Kern River Valley where the work will occur, and is intimately familiar with the area and the species involved in this study, having conducted similar studies and research efforts in the past. Responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.