SOLICITATION NOTICE
F -- CAHA PREDATOR MANAGEMENT FY24
- Notice Date
- 11/21/2023 11:53:35 AM
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 114210
— Hunting and Trapping
- Contracting Office
- SER NORTH MABO (53000) GATLINBURG TN 37738 USA
- ZIP Code
- 37738
- Solicitation Number
- 140P5324Q0005
- Response Due
- 12/4/2023 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 12/19/2023
- Point of Contact
- Leady, William, Phone: 470.367.9167
- E-Mail Address
-
William_Leady@nps.gov
(William_Leady@nps.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- SBA Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12.6, �Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,� as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is a for quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-03. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 114210 with a small business size standard of $8.5M. All interested companies shall provide a quotation for the following: 2024 CAHA Predator Management �Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CAHA) 1 I Background The National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CAHA) is requesting contracted wildlife trapping and disposal services for purposes of protection of species of concern such as federally threatened and endangered shorebirds and sea turtles. The Contracted trapping services will be carried out along the 75 miles of seashore from Nags Head to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. The selected Contractor will have demonstrated capacity to provide trapping services across the seashore districts (Bodie island district, Hatteras district and Ocracoke district) simultaneously. The selected Contractor will have a Wildlife Control Agent (WCA) license for individuals who engage in wildlife damage control or wildlife removal activities for compensation, demonstrated trapping experience, and experience working in sensitive environments such as national parks where discretion during trapping efforts is required to minimize impacts to visitor use and experience. Similarly, anyone assisting a licensed Wildlife Control Agent with wildlife control activities must be a certified Wildlife Control Technician. Wildlife Control Technicians shall not issue depredation permits and may only place traps and perform euthanasia of wildlife under the direct supervision of a licensed WCA. Protection of non-target species will be necessary. Coastal species of concern include: sea turtles (green sea turtle, Kemp�s ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle) and shorebirds (American oystercatcher, black skimmer, common tern, gull billed tern, least tern, piping plover, red knot, roseate tern, snowy plover, Wilson�s plover. Most of these coastal species of concern are federally listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. Additionally, several of these species are included on state species of concern lists and are protected by other laws or regulations, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The information developed under this Contract is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in confidence. All discussions, meetings, miscellaneous requests, reports, transfers of information, etc., shall be coordinated between the Contractor's Project Manager and the Park's Contracting Officer�s Representative (COR). The Contractor�s Project Manager shall identify alternates or additional personnel as deemed necessary for the implementation of the project. The COR does not have the authority to issue changes to the contract, order additional work, increase or decrease the price of work, or alter the period of performance. All such changes must be accomplished through formal written orders or contract modifications issued by the Contracting Officer (CO). I II. Services to be Performed The Contractor shall provide traps, bait, equipment for humanely euthanizing wildlife, and 4x4 vehicles to access trapping locations along ORV routes within the Seashore. The NPS can provide a limited number of traps and signage. In addition, the NPS may be able to provide space within our campground or RV pad (if requested) for trapping efforts carried out on Ocracoke Island. The Contractor will be expected to begin trapping work within 10 days of contract award. The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and protect special places and allow for the future enjoyment of these locations by future generations. This work will take place on public lands that are utilized for various types of recreation, as such Contract work shall not interfere with visitor access or recreation on the Seashore. If species of concern are encountered or impacted during implementation of this contract, the Contractor will stop work and contact the CO immediately. Task - Implementing wildlife trapping. The expectations for work under this task include: collection of wildlife information from the Seashore via on-site scouting and through coordination with CAHA Biological Science Technicians for purposes of documenting mammalian (coyote, feral cat, gray fox, nutria, mink, Virginia opossum, raccoon, red fox), avian, and other non-mammalian (corvids, gull species, Atlantic ghost crab) predator sign; daily (5-7 days/week), scouting-informed and discrete placement of approved traps, coupled with signs warning visitors and staff of the presence of wildlife traps; checking of open traps as soon as is practicable the day following set (before 10am), and; humanely euthanizing and disposal of captured wildlife. Wildlife can be disposed of off-site according to local disposal regulations or, following coordination with field staff, buried within predetermined areas of the Seashore. Once areas are identified with high predator activity, traps shall be placed by the Contractor discretely around the area such that they are not visible to visitors, with particular attention paid in areas of high visitor use such as Cape Point, South Point and Coquina Beach. The area around traps should be signed (NPS can provide signage) to that if visitors or staff do come close to traps, they are informed to avoid the area. As stated above, areas to be trapped along the seashore cover 75 miles and include an area (Ocracoke) only accessible via an hour-long ferry ride. These areas - Bodie island district (Nags Head to ORV Ramp 30), Hatteras district (ORV Ramp 30 to Hatteras Inlet) and Ocracoke district (Hatteras Inlet to South Point) shall be trapped simultaneously while ensuring humane trapping practices (including checking set traps before 10am), such that the efforts cannot be accomplished by one individual due to the large geographical separation between high predation areas. More than one qualified trapper is required for this work. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) has developed Best Management Practices (BMP) for trapping, to maximize humaneness and minimize suffering (https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/5015/2104/8473/Introduction_comp.pdf). All trap devices used by Contractors must meet or exceed all specifications recommended in the AFWA BMPs (https://furbearermanagement.com/species-bmp-reports/) and those NPS specific BMPs listed below. The AFWA BMPs describe various capture devices and their components; modifications to certain trap models; trap tuning, preparation, and maintenance; and trapping techniques. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES General � Conduct predation management activities professionally and in the safest manner possible; � Ensure only personnel with Wildlife control agent training and documented experience conduct predation management; � Conduct predation management activities away from areas of high human activity, including placing traps away from facilities or areas of high visitation. Coordinate with NPS staff to identify factors that affect wildlife control operations taking place, such as high public use areas, times of day, or seasons of high visitor use; � Discharge firearms in a safe manner in areas away from visitor use, with safety as the primary concern; � When necessary, notify visitors of certain operations and educate them on the details in a manner that will reduce potential safety hazards; � Notify park unit law enforcement of specific activities and coordinate any necessary or anticipated actions to ensure visitor safety. Traps and Snares The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) has developed BMPs for trapping, in order to maximize humaneness and minimize suffering. The AFWA worked with Congress and the National Trappers Association to test the most effective and humane traps for a number of species. This work resulted in species-specific BMP guides for trapping furbearers (AFWA 2006). All trap devices used by park units meet or exceed all specifications recommended in the AFWA BMPs. The AFWA BMPs describe various capture devices and their components; modifications to certain trap models; trap tuning, preparation, and maintenance; and trapping techniques. Only personnel with proper training and experience trap and dispatch predators. While nontarget species may be accidentally caught and/or injured, research from the AFWA BMPs indicates that specific modifications to foothold traps may enhance animal welfare and still provide a sufficient efficiency in capturing target animals. Examples of such modifications are as follows: � Offset jaws�Traps are now designed with a space between the gripping surfaces, typically from1/8- to 1/4-inch. This reduces injury to the animal�s foot when sprung. � Lamination or padded jaws�Traps are now designed with jaws thickened by lamination, which may be attached above or below the trap jaws, or by adding rubber pads to the jaw themselves. These features increase the surface area of the jaw on a trapped animal�s foot, which could influence both animal injury and capture efficiency. � Four-coiling�This is a design feature where traps include two additional springs. These traps perform better in terms of reducing animal injury and improving capture efficiency because the trap is more stable when it is triggered. � Double jaws�This is a design feature where a trap includes two jaws. A primary jaw restrains the foot, and the second jaw limits the animal�s access to the foot when the trap is sprung. In addition, traps are placed in sheltered areas with enough natural cover to protect the animal from adverse weather conditions and to reduce stress levels. Trap checks should be performed early in the morning to remove any captured animals before public use. Timely removal of captured animals will reduce the chance that the public and park staff may see or interact with captured animals. At times, it may be necessary to check traps several times daily, depending on wildlife patterns and visitor use patterns. Traps are set and placed to minimize catching nontarget species; any nontarget species accidentally trapped will be released. Areas or roads will be closed temporarily during trapping and shooting. It may also be necessary to shut down or remove traps during busy times, to completely avoid public interaction. Trained wildlife experts will conduct the release of non-target predator species from traps and snares on a case-by-case basis after considering the circumstances at the time of potential release. Traps are placed away from facilities or areas of high visitation. As appropriate, dispose of carcasses by burial or by removing the carcasses to a remote site for decomposition. However, buried carcasses may attract predator species to sea turtle nesting sites; therefore, trained wildlife experts will determine when and where carcasses will be left on a case-by-case basis. Install warning signs in coordination with NPS, alerting people to the presence of foothold traps or snares, posted at points of access to areas where foothold traps or snares are used. When necessary, the NPS uses signs to temporarily close off areas during trapping or firearms operations. Also, park staff may briefly close an area when a situation dictates, such as when euthanizing an injured animal. Signage may be posted as necessary, with these determinations made on a case-by-case basis. Use of Firearms or Shooting The Contractor may use lead-free bullets while adhering to the 1998 Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards and subsequent 2006 agreement, which included BMPs (AFWA 2006; described above). Adhere to the American Veterinary Medical Association�s guidelines for euthanizing animals (AVMA 2013). These guidelines are available on the AVMA�s website (www.avma.org). They are updated as needed to reflect the best research and empirical information available. Those managing depredation are professionals experienced in the humane use of euthanasia techniques. Conduct shooting when human activity is low and in areas not visible to visitors. The Contractor shall only utilize approved tools and methods as has been included in the park�s National Environmental Policy Act compliance. The specific lethal control tools and methods that have been approved for use within CAHA include: foothold traps; snares; walkin cage traps; dog-proof traps; box, cage, and corral traps; shooting; euthanasia via carbon dioxide gas, toxicant DRC-1339 specific to avian predators, and manual removal and Fripp traps specific to ghost crabs. DELIVERABLES Deliverable: Schedule and facilitate a planning meeting with park staff within 7 days following contract award. The Contractor will schedule and facilitate a planning and logistics meeting with park staff within 7 days following contract award. The meeting can be held virtually via teams, or in person at CAHA�s Headquarters office in Manteo, NC. Deliverable: Begin trapping work within 10 calendar days following contract award. Deliverable: Successfully scout for and trap in identified areas with high predator activity. Regularly capture target species throughout the duration of the contract period. Humanely euthanize and appropriately dispose of wildlife carcasses over a 12-month period. Deliverable: Provide bi-weekly updates as described below. Provide end of contract (annual) summary report that includes the information listed below and any recommendations for future trapping efforts. Deliverable: At the end of the contract period, return all NPS provided equipment (gate keys, traps, signs) in the same condition as was issued. Bi-weekly updates in the form of progress reports and an end of contract summary shall be provided to park staff. Reporting can be as simple as a table with capture totals and a short narrative about any problems, favorable or unusual developments, but should minimally include a summary of overall progress for the reporting period such as: � � Days of trapping � � Number and types of traps used � � Locations of traps � � Number and species of capture (including incidental take of non-target species) � � Indication of any problems, favorable or unusual developments MONITORING Documented trap locations and status (open/closed/removed) is accomplished using Geographic Information Systems software. The selected contractor should have the capacity to utilize ArcGIS Online (AGOL) for purposes of documenting trap locations and status. The NPS can provide a tutorial for assistance with downloading and utilizing AGOL on the Contractor-furnished computer, tablet or smart phone. Award shall be made to the quoter whose quotation the best value to the government, considering technical capability, past performance, and price. The government will evaluate information based on the following evaluation criteria: meeting or exceeding the requirement, past performance, technical capability, and price. The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: 1. FAR 52.212-1, �Instructions to Offerors�Commercial Items� 2. FAR 52.212-2, �Evaluation � Commercial Items� 3. FAR 52.212-3, �Offerors Representations and Certifications�Commercial Items� Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, �Offerors Representations and Certifications�Commercial Items.� The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition: � FAR 52.212-4, �Contract Terms and Conditions�Commercial Items� � FAR 52.212-5, �Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders� The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.222-13, 52.225-13, 52.232-34. Refer to attachment for additional contract clauses. All quoters shall submit the following: Price quote and past performance form, Relevant Experience form. All quotations, shall be emailed to William_leady@nps.gov This is an open-market combined synopsis/solicitation for products as defined herein. The government intends to award a purchase order as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: ""The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."" OR ""The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"" Quoter shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s). Quoter shall provide lump sum pricing for base and each option (2). In addition, provide a total for base and options. Submission shall be received not later than December 4, 2023 at 1500 E.S.T. All submissions shall be emailed to William_leady@nps.gov. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the William Leady via email at William_leady@nps.gov. Point of Contact William Leady via email at William_leady@nps.gov
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