A04-SOW_2024-2029_TAGS_002.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

Statement of Work

C. STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

INTRODUCTORY NOTE:

The specifications contained herein are for American alligator tags (Part I), furbearer tags (Part II) and American alligator and furbearer bar-coded tags (Part III). Please read all specifications closely. Vendors must bid on all three types of tags and the Service may require any combination of these three types of tags. Line Item Numbers (LINS) 0001AA, 0002AA, 0003AA, 0004AA, and 0005AA are for American alligator tags (excluding Louisiana American alligator tags). LINS 0001AB, 0002AB, 0003AB, 0004AB, and 0005AB, are for Louisiana American alligator tags.

LINS 0001AC, 0002AC, 0003AC, 0004AC, and 0005AC, are for furbearer tags. LINS 0001AD, 0002AD, 0003AD, 0004AD, and 0005AD are for American alligator bar-coded tags (excluding Louisiana). LINS 0001AE, 0002AE, 0003AE, 0004AE, and 0005AE, are for Louisiana American alligator bar-coded tags. LINS 0001AF, 0002AF, 0003AF, 0004AF, and 0005AF, are for bar-coded furbearer tags.

LINS containing the number 1 are for the base year and LINS containing the numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5 are for the option years.

PART I - AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

C.1. PURPOSE- AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

The United States is one of 184 member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The purpose of this international treaty is the control of trade in species that are or may be threatened or endangered by trade (or are similar in appearance to such species). Once a species is listed by CITES, international trade in specimens of this species can only occur if specific rules are followed.

In order to comply with our responsibilities under CITES, the United States has set up programs with the States whereby skins of American alligator must be tagged with a non-reusable tag that identifies the species, State, and year of taking. In addition, each tag must also have a unique serial number. The tags must be placed on the skins prior to export from the United States.

State coordinators provide the Service with information concerning the quantity of tags and the delivery address. Alligator tags are placed on skins either in the field or at State checkpoints.

Alligator skins are generally tagged by making two cuts in the skin approximately 6 inches from the tip of the tail (one cut on each side of a scale in the center of the tail), and the tag is threaded through the two cuts, closed, and locked. Since many tags are placed on skins in field situations, tags must be one piece, be easy to attach and lock, and must not require any special tools for attachment.

To be in compliance with CITES, the tags for alligator skins must remain on the skins throughout processing until the skin is tanned and cut. Therefore, the tag material and design must be resistant to conditions encountered both in the field and during the tanning processes for the alligator skins.

One portion of the tag must be large enough to display up to 18 characters and 4 spaces (except bar-coded tags) in an easily readable format. Each tag should have a legend permanently stamped on/into the tag that identifies the State of origin, year of take, species involved, and a unique serial number. The tag must not be reusable. Attempts to remove the tag should result in destruction of the tag or should be clearly evident upon visual inspection.

C.2. MANDATORY SPECIFICATIONS - AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Vendor shall provide all personnel, materials, services, and equipment to provide the supplies specified below.

The Vendor shall produce and deliver identification tags for attachment to skins of selected wildlife species. These tags must meet the following mandatory characteristics.

a) Style of Tag: A one-piece, non-reusable tag with at least the following characteristics: a self-locking mechanism that is tamper resistant (i.e., if tampering occurs, the damage can be detected), resistance to heat and cold, inertia to chemical and mechanical processing, and alphanumeric information permanently applied. The tag must not require any special tools for attachment. These tags are not bar-coded.

b) Material: The identification tags may be produced from any material, although nylon is preferred, that is suitable to meet all requirements, except metals which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins and may not be resistant and non-reactive to compounds used in tanning. Suitable material must not have any sharp edges which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins. Suitable material must be resistant and non-reactive to compounds used in tanning (i.e., acids, alkalis (bases), oils, and grease), must be able to withstand temperatures ranging from minus 40°F to plus 150°F, and must be able to withstand pH levels from .6 to 14 (highly acidic to highly basic). Colors must be colorfast under all of these conditions.

Note: The alligator skin process subjects these tags to temperature and impact stresses that may weaken the tags at their most vulnerable points and result in high rates of breakage.

Before and after attachment to alligator carcasses, the tags may be subjected to long-term exposure to spring frosts or summer ambient temperatures. The carcasses with tags attached are subsequently subjected to freezing conditions after they are stacked in trucks, packed in ice, and refrigerated during transit. During unloading at final destinations, the carcasses are often thrown from trucks subjecting potentially temperature-weakened or heavy weight-weakened tags to impacts with concrete or metal. The subsequent tanning process in harsh chemicals and tight packing during domestic trans-shipment or international export further weakens the tags. Experience has suggested that nylon tags may be less susceptible to weakening and breaking under these stresses, particularly during post-tanning stages, than plastic tags. But vendors are free to propose a material that meets all of the specifications herein.

c) Age of Material: The Vendor should, in its quotation, state the age of the material from which the tag will be manufactured, where it was produced, and the Vendor's experience using that material. The Vendor should also indicate if the tags should be maintained in a specific environment or at a specific temperature, if held for more than one month after distribution.

d) Measurements of Tags: The tag must be large enough to display all required printed information in paragraph (g). The tag should be at least 7 inches long.

e) Minimum Locked Breaking Strength: 145 pounds (± 5 pounds); and once locked on the skin the tag should need to be destroyed upon removal to prevent reuse.

f) Tag Numbers: The Vendor shall package the tags in numerical sequence and ship to the locations specified in individual delivery orders. The Vendor shall ship the tag representing the last number in the sequence for each State to the FWS Project Officer.

g) Tag Legend: The Vendor shall apply the following legend by a method that results in permanent lettering that will give sufficient color contrast on the tag to be easily readable and durable enough to be legible throughout processing (i.e., can survive the conditions described in paragraph b.). The information shall not exceed 18 (eighteen) characters and 4 (four) spaces, and shall include the following (paragraphs (6) and (7) represent special circumstances):

(1) CITES Export Tag Symbol (manufacturer to supply in accordance with the design from the Project Officer).

(2) Two-letter State/location code.

(3) Year of harvest/production.

(4) Abbreviated species name in capital letters: MIS (American alligator).

(5) Sequential serial numbers as provided by the Contracting Officer in a modification to this award.

(6) The Vendor shall mark replacement tags to replace damaged tags with the country code (US), "REPL" to designate a replacement tag, and sequential serial numbers as provided by the Contracting Officer.

(7) The Vendor shall mark "NUIS" for TX MIS NUISANCE, "MGMT" for TX

MIS MGMT, "NO SALE" for TX MIS NO SALE, “FALL” for TX MIS FALL and “SPRING” for TX MIS SPRING with sequential serial numbers as provided by the Contracting Officer.

(8) Upon the issuance of a Purchase Order, if requested by the FWS, the Vendor shall provide the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative a minimum of ten tags of each type of tag on the Purchase Order for inspection and approval by the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative before a complete tag run of the Purchase Order is done by the Vendor.

PART II - FURBEAER

C.3. PURPOSE - FURBEARER

The United States is one of 184 member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The purpose of this international treaty is the control of trade in species that are or may be threatened or endangered by trade (or are similar in appearance to such species). Once a species is listed by CITES, international trade in specimens of this species can only occur if specific rules are followed.

The United States has set up programs with participating States and tribes whereby skins of certain furbearers: bobcat, river otter, Canada lynx, gray wolf, and brown bear must be tagged with a non-reusable tag that identifies the species, State/tribe, and year of taking (annual tags only). In addition, each tag must also have a unique serial number. The tags must be placed on the skins prior to export from the United States.

Tags are provided for each harvest season (i.e., fall 2024-spring 2025). States and tribes provide the Service with information as to the quantity of tags needed for the next harvest season and the delivery address in late spring of each year.

Furbearer tags are placed on skins either in the field or at State/tribe checkpoints. Furbearer skins are generally tagged by threading one end of the tag through the eyehole of the skin and then closing and locking the tag. Since many tags are placed on skins in field situations, tags must be one piece, be easy to attach and lock, and must not require any special tools for attachment.

Most furbearer skins are exported raw (unprocessed), and processing occurs outside the United

States. Tags are usually removed from these skins prior to the tanning process.

One portion of the tag must be large enough to display up to 18 characters and 4 spaces (except bar-coded tags) in an easily readable format. Each tag should have a legend permanently stamped on/into the tag that identifies the State/tribe of origin, year of take (annual tags only), species involved, and a unique serial number. The tag must not be reusable. Attempts to remove the tag should result in destruction of the tag or should be clearly evident upon visual inspection.

C4. MANDATORY SPECIFICATIONS-FURBEARER

The Vendor shall produce and deliver identification tags for attachment to skins of selected wildlife species. These tags must meet the following mandatory characteristics.

a) Style of Tag: A one-piece, non-reusable tag with at least the following characteristics: a self-locking mechanism that is tamper resistant (i.e., if tampering occurs, the damage can be detected), resistance to heat and cold, inertia to chemical and mechanical processing, and alphanumeric information permanently applied. The tag must not require any special tools for attachment. These tags are not bar-coded.

b) Material: The identification tags may be produced from any material that is suitable, although nylon is preferred, to meet all requirements, except metals which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins. Suitable material must not have any sharp edges which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins. Tags must be able to withstand temperatures ranging from minus 40°F to plus 150°F, and must be able to withstand pH levels from .6 to 14 (highly acidic to highly basic). Colors must be colorfast under all of these conditions.

c) Age of Material: The Vendor should, in its quotation, state the age of the material from which the tag will be manufactured, where it was produced, and the Vendor's experience using that material. The Vendor should also indicate if the tags should be maintained in a specific environment or at a specific temperature, if held for more than a month after information in paragraph (g). The tag should be narrow enough to fit through an opening of 1/8-inch by 1/2-inch (the approximate size of the eyehole on fur skins) and at least 7 inches long (i.e., the tag should be a minimum of 1/4-inch wide by 7 inches long).

f) Tag Numbers: The Vendor shall package the tags in numerical sequence and ship them to the locations specified in individual delivery orders. The Vendor shall ship the tag representing the last number in the sequence for each State and tribe to the FWS Project Officer.

g) Tag Legend: The Vendor shall apply the following legend by a method that results in permanent lettering that will give sufficient color contrast on the tag to be easily readable. The information shall not exceed 18 (eighteen) characters and 4 (four) spaces, and shall include the following (paragraphs (6) and (7) represent special circumstances):

1) CITES Export Tag Symbol (manufacturer to supply in accordance with the design from the Project Officer).

2) Two-letter State/tribe/location code.

3) Year of harvest/production (annual tags only).

4) Abbreviated species name in capital letters:

LYNX (lynx; NOTE: variance-- CBLX = captive bred lynx) ROTR (river otter) BCAT (bobcat; NOTE: variance-- WBCT = Western bobcat and EBCT = Eastern bobcat) GBR (grizzly bear) WOLF (gray wolf)

5) Sequential serial numbers as provided by the FWS Contracting Officer in a modification to this award.

6) Tags to be used to mark polar bears being imported from Canada must be white in color for all years, include the year of import, a 3-digit serial number, plus the following legend: CA PBR USFWS. The US-CITES logo is not required on this tag.

7) The Vendor shall mark replacement tags to replace damaged tags with the country

Code (US), "REPL" to designate a replacement tag, and sequential serial numbers as provided by the FWS Contracting Officer.

8) Upon the issuance of a Purchase Order, if requested by the FWS, the Vendor shall provide the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative a minimum of ten tags of each type of tag on the Purchase Order for inspection and approval by the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative before a complete tag run of the Purchase Order is done by the Vendor.

PART III - AMERICAN ALLIGATOR and FURBEARER

BAR-CODED TAGS

C.5. PURPOSE – AMERICAN ALLIGATOR and FURBEARER BAR-CODED TAGS

See C.1 PURPOSE-AMERICAN ALLIGATOR and C.3. PURPOSE - FURBEARER

C.6. MANDATORY SPECIFICATIONS - AMERICAN ALLIGATOR and FURBEARER

BAR-CODED TAGS

The Vendor shall produce and deliver identification tags for attachment to skins of selected wildlife species. These tags must meet the following mandatory characteristics.

a) Style of Tag: A one-piece, non-reusable tag with at least the following characteristics: a self-locking mechanism that is tamper resistant (i.e., if tampering occurs, the damage can be detected), resistance to heat and cold, inertia to chemical and mechanical processing, and alphanumeric information permanently applied. The tag must not require any special tools for attachment. These tags are bar-coded. Alphanumeric characters within the bar coding consist of 7 numeric and three alpha characters, for a total of 10 characters. Code 128 will be used as the bar code symbology. No check digits are required. The bar code must be permanently applied (e.g. Telesis® FQ2H Series laser marking system) and placed on one end of the tag nearest to the tags’ locking housing. The bar code must be electronically readable after having been subjected to conditions as described in paragraph (b).

b) Material: The identification tags may be produced from any material, although nylon is preferred, that is suitable to meet all requirements, except metals which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins and may not be resistant and non-reactive to compounds used in tanning. Suitable material must not have any sharp edges which are likely to puncture, tear, or shred skins. Suitable material must be resistant and non-reactive to compounds used in tanning (i.e., acids, alkalis (bases), oils, and grease), must be able to withstand temperatures ranging from minus 40°F to plus 150°F, and must be able to withstand pH levels from .6 to 14 (highly acidic to highly basic). Colors must be colorfast under all of these conditions.

Note: The alligator skin process subjects these tags to temperature and impact stresses that may weaken the tags at their most vulnerable points and result in high rates of breakage.

Before and after attachment to alligator carcasses, the tags may be subjected to long-term exposure to spring frosts or summer ambient temperatures. The carcasses with tags attached are subsequently subjected to freezing conditions after they are stacked in trucks, packed in ice, and refrigerated during transit. During unloading at final destinations, the carcasses are often thrown from trucks subjecting potentially temperature-weakened or heavy weight-weakened tags to impacts with concrete or metal. The subsequent tanning process in harsh chemicals and tight packing during domestic trans-shipment or international export further weakens the tags. Experience has suggested that nylon tags may be less susceptible to weakening and breaking under these stresses, particularly during post-tanning stages, than plastic tags. But vendors are free to propose a material that meets all of the specifications herein.

c) Age of Material: The Vendor should, in its proposal, state the age of the material from which the tag will be manufactured, where it was produced, and the Vendor's experience using that material. The Vendor should also indicate if the tags should be maintained in a specific environment or at a specific temperature, if held for more than one month after information in paragraph (g). The tag should be at least 7 inches long.

f) Tag Numbers: The Vendor shall package the tags in numerical sequence and ship to the locations specified in individual delivery orders. The Vendor shall ship the tag representing the last number in the sequence for each State to the FWS Project Officer.

g) Tag Legend: The Vendor shall apply the following legend by a method that results in a bar-code that is permanent, electronically readable and includes permanent lettering that will give sufficient color contrast on the tag to be easily readable and durable enough to be legible throughout processing (i.e., can survive the conditions described in paragraph b.).

The information shall include alphanumeric characters within the bar coding, consisting of 7 numeric and three alpha characters, for a total of 10 characters. Code 128 will be used as the bar code symbology. No check digits are required. The legend shall include the following (paragraphs (6) and (7) represent special circumstances):

(1) CITES Export Tag Symbol (manufacturer to supply in accordance with the design from the Project Officer).

(2) Two-letter State/tribe/location code.

(3) Year of harvest/production (except annual tags).

(4) Abbreviated species name in capital letters:

MIS (American alligator) LYNX (lynx; NOTE: variance-- CBLX = captive bred lynx) ROTR (river otter) BCAT (bobcat; NOTE: variance-- WBCT = Western bobcat and EBCT = Eastern bobcat)

GBR (grizzly bear) WOLF (gray wolf)

(5) Sequential serial numbers with corresponding electronically readable bar-code as provided by the Contracting Officer in a modification to this award.

(6) The Vendor shall mark replacement tags to replace damaged tags with the country code (US), "REPL" to designate a replacement tag, and sequential serial numbers as provided by the Contracting Officer.

(7) The Vendor shall mark "NUIS" for TX MIS NUISANCE, "MGMT" for TX

MIS MGMT, "NO SALE" for TX MIS NO SALE, “FALL” for TX MIS FALL and “SPRING” for TX MIS SPRING with sequential serial numbers as provided by the Contracting Officer.

(8) Upon the issuance of a Purchase Order, if requested by the FWS, the Vendor shall provide the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative a minimum of ten tags of each type of tag on the Purchase Order for inspection and approval by the FWS Contracting Officer’s Representative before a complete tag run of the Purchase Order is done by the Vendor.

NOTE: the following sections, C.7 through C.10 and L apply to both the Alligator (including bar-coded) and Furbearer tags (including bar-coded).

C.7. VARIATIONS IN QUANTITIES

The quantities stated represent estimated numbers of identification tags to be shipped. Should the requirement for tags change, we reserve the right to increase or decrease the quantities at the fixed unit prices. The Vendor shall be obligated to produce and ship tags within a maximum of 15 percent decrease and 15 percent increase (total of 30 percent variation between minimum maximum quantities). This decrease or increase will apply to the total quantity of tags. Variations in the total quantity of tags beyond that range will have an adjusted unit price that is negotiated.

C.8. VARIATIONS IN COLORS

For security reasons, the colors selected to identify species may vary from one year to the next.

The total number of colors may also change from one year to the next. However, a minimum of nine (9) different colors (except bar-coded tags), including gray and white, must be available. The colors to be used each year will be determined after award. A minimum of two (2) different colors, including yellow and white, must be available for bar-coded tags.

C.9. PROHIBITION AGAINST DUPLICATION OR SUPPLY OF TAGS TO OTHERS

The Vendor shall not duplicate nor supply tags conforming to the specification contained in this award to any person, group, or organization other than those specifically identified in the award.

Any changes in quantities, changes in participating States or tribes, or changes in authorized receiving personnel shall only be accomplished by formal modification of this award.

C.10. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE – 5 Y e a r s

The Government may exercise the option for additional years in accordance with FAR 52.217-09, Option to Extend the Term of the Award, and FAR52.217-08, Option to Extend Services.

CERTIFICATION

Vendor certifies that sample items submitted for evaluation are identical in all respects to future items delivered under this award, other than the color and markings. Vendor cannot substitute materials, manufacturing process, quality control, age of components, or any other aspects for delivered items, without prior written approval of the FWS Contracting Officer.

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CERTIFICATION