Request For Proposals: Wildlife Aerial Population Surveys, Captures and Collaring

Description: SECTION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.02 Description of Proposals Sought: The Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department request proposals from individuals or contractors who have proven experience using rotor-wing aircraft to conduct wildlife surveys, including but not limited to eagle nest surveys, winter big game population sightability surveys, aerial captures of wildlife species such as bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, wolves and bison. The Colville Tribes intends to award a firm, fixed price contract to furnish all labor, materials, equipment and expertise necessary to perform all operations required for the successful completion of the above named projects. This may be a multi-year contract (1-3 years) depending on available funding and performance. 1.03 About the Colville Tribes: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is a Sovereign Nation. Presidential Executive Order established the Colville Indian Reservation in 1872, with a land base of 1.4 million acres, located in North Central Washington State. The Tribes' Indian Country now includes various off-reservation trust land holdings. The Tribes' administrative Headquarters are located at the Colville Indian Agency Campus, approximately 2 miles south of Nespelem, WA with offices located throughout our reservation. 1.04 Response Format: Proposals should be prepared simply, providing a straightforward and concise delineation of the Contractors approach and capabilities necessary to satisfy the criteria listed in Section 3. The proposal may not be longer than 30 pages, single-spaced with no less than 12-point font. Emphasis in the proposals should be on completeness, clarity of content, and adherence to the presentation structure required by this RFP. Contractors that deviate from the required format may be deemed non-responsive. SECTION 3. REQUESTED SERVICES 3.01 Duration of Services The Tribes anticipates the service period for this work to be indeterminate but no less than for three years, and on an as-needed period for the term of the Contract to be issued pursuant to this RFP. However, if the work extends beyond this period, and as stated in Section 2.13, any agreement would be year-to-year and require an agreed-upon modification to the term to continue. 3.02 Scope of Work The Wildlife Program requires the services of a licensed and experienced pilot for conducting wildlife surveys, primarily sightability surveys for estimating big game numbers on the Colville Reservation and a capture crew for aerial net gunning and/or darting of wildlife species to collect various biological samples and deploy GPS collars. The contract will include: 1. Up to 100 hours of aerial survey time, per diem for pilot and fuel truck driver for the number of days required to complete the survey, service truck mileage for up to 2,500 miles, and ferry costs for getting the helicopter to and from the project area. 2. Aerial capture and collaring of multiple species and individuals including but not limited to bighorn sheep, gray wolves, deer, elk, pronghorn and bison, per diem for pilot and capture crew for the number of days required to complete the captures, service truck mileage, and ferry costs for getting the helicopter to and from the project area. The contract will cover the time period January 1, 2027 - August 31, 2030 as needed and depending on available funding. The project area encompasses all areas on the North Half and South Half of the Colville Reservation. Flights require an experienced pilot, familiar with the area, for low altitude maneuvering and equipment capable to conduct surveys and captures in a safe and effective manner. Staff from the Colville Tribes will be on board with the pilot to conduct the surveys. Pilots must have proven experience performing aerial surveys using flight protocol designed for elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep sightability models. Pilots and capture crew must have proven experience performing aerial wildlife captures and collaring. Pilots must be Part 135 certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for transport of personnel. Pilot and aircraft must also be OAS carded and certified for low-level reconnaissance and survey, and mountain flying. Contracting requires being registered with the Colville Tribes as a Vendor. 3.03 Required Information The Contractor's Proposal must include the following: Title Page; Transmittal Letter; Table of Contents; Profile of the Contractor; Approach; Contractor Organization and Management; Statement of Qualifications (including experience in Wildlife Aerial Population Surveys, Captures, and Collaring and resumes for assigned professionals); Current Assignments; Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest; and a Detailed Cost Proposal including hourly rates and travel/expense rates.