Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: CGS, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203

99 -- DATA COLLECTION FROM LICENSED MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTERS DURING THE 1996-97 HUNTING SEASON Sol FWS-9-MBMO-97-0008. Due 112796. POC David L. Morgan. The Migratory Bird Harvest Program requires an annual collection of harvest information of migratory birds from all migratory bird hunters. This data, along with estimates of breeding populations, survival and harvest estimates, is needed to ensure appropriate harvest management and sound stewardship of the migratory bird resource. The responsibilities of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) and various State agencies was detailed in the Final Rule that established the program and published in the Federal Register on October 21, 1994. The Service intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis and issue orders to the following State Agencies to collect the required data from licensed bird hunters during the 1996-97 hunting season: Alabama Game & Fish Division, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The estimated amount of funding to be established with each agency is $25,000 - $35,000. Each state is to supply the data during the period of date of award through April 15, 1998. The proposed contract actions are for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Each State Agency possesses exclusive authority to license hunters in their respective states and thus, the only organization capable of providing the necessary information to the Service. See Numbered Note 22. (317)

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