25-23597 WEBS SS Notice updated 14jan25.docx

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

SOLE SOURCE POSTING

1) A description of the purpose and scope of the contract: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) contemplates awarding a sole source contract to the Hickey Brothers Research. (https://www.baileysharborfishcompany.com) to provide services as they relate to predatory (fish) removal from Lake Washington. This contract is needed to implement a Legislative Proviso passed in the 2023 Legislative session with the intent of rebuilding salmon runs in the Lake Washington basin. The Lake Washington sockeye population has experienced precipitous declines in recent years and is currently in a state of crisis, with little hope for recovery without management intervention. Predation on juvenile salmon by predatory fish species during rearing and migration is a key factor limiting salmon survival and recovery in the Lake Washington basin. The Washington State Legislature recognized the importance of this issue and passed a Proviso bill during the 2023 Legislative session providing $700,000.00 in funding for the 2023-2025 biennium to “initiate a demonstration project to contribute to rebuilding of salmon runs in the Lake Washington basin through suppression of predatory fish species.” A primary element of the Legislative Proviso calls for “Removal of nonnative species and northern pike minnow using trap, nets, or other means;”. The contract with Hickey Brothers Research (HBR) is necessary to implement this element of the Legislative Proviso.

2) The criteria or rationale justifying the sole source contract: Hickey Brothers Research (HBR) is a unique contractor and specializes in capturing fish from large inland lakes like Lake Washington. HBR is the only contractor experienced in this line of work currently operating in the Pacific Northwest. HBR participated in a recent (2023) pilot project involving fish capture in Lake Washington that was highly successful. During the pilot project HBR demonstrated their unique qualifications, abilities, and expertise in the use of multiple gear types to efficiently capture large numbers of freshwater fish from Lake Washington. HBR is used has a proven track record of high quality fish capture services and is used by other State and Federal natural resource management agencies to help with similar projects that involve the capture of large numbers of fish from freshwater lakes.

3) The name of the prospective contractor: Hickey Brothers Research

4) The projected contract value: $250,000.00 proviso funding.

5)The Period of Performance under this contract shall commence on 02/03/2025 and on terminate on 06/30/2025.

6) Options for extensions: Extensions will not be required.

7) A description of the process for providing vendor inquiries or responses to the posting agency, including timelines and requirements and a request for capability statements if a vendor believes they can provide the goods or services being procured under the sole source contract:

Vendor capability statements should address how they are qualified and capable of performing the following requirements:

· Removal of nonnative species and northern pike minnow using trap, nets, or other means;

· Ability to conduct fish sampling work to identify seasonal distribution and relative abundance of non-native and native predator fish species;

· Is highly experienced and uniquely qualified in the fabrication and use of multiple gear types to efficiently capture large numbers of freshwater fish;

· Will provide appropriate research vessel and gear (nets) for fish capture work including all aspects of operation, maintenance, transport, and moorage of the research vessel and associated fish capture gear

· Assessment of the benefits of reduced predator abundance on juvenile salmon survival; and

· Assessment of the recreational fishing rules that were implemented in 2020 in the Lake Washington basin. (b) An interim report on the demonstration project must be provided to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2025.”Previous contract was 24-23597

Offerors contemplating the above requirements are required to submit a capability statement detailing their ability to meet the state’s requirements by 12:00 A.M. PST on January 29, 2025. To submit capability statements or for questions, please contact: Tim Wilson, Deputy Contracts Officer, at tim.wilson@dfw.wa.gov image1.jpeg