FWC 23.24-120 Final.pdf

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1875 ORANGE AVE E

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32311-6160

(850) 488-6551

INVITATION TO BID

FWC 23/24-120

IGUANA REMOVAL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

ITB BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

Purpose: The intent of this bid is to obtain competitive pricing for a contractor to remove, collect morphometric data, and properly dispose of Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas from FWC’s Wildlife Environmental Areas (WEA) and selected

State Parks in the Florida Keys and Monroe County, per the specifications contained herein. Only responsive and responsible Contractors will be considered for award of this Invitation to Bid (ITB).

Responsive: To be responsive, a bid must constitute a definite, firm, unqualified and unconditional offer to meet all of the material terms of this ITB. Material terms are those that could affect the price, quantity, quality, or delivery. Also included as material terms are those which are clearly identified in this ITB and which, for reasons of policy, must be complied with at risk of bid rejection for non-responsiveness.

Non-Responsive: Any submission that does not comply with this ITB in any way, does not contain all the properly signed forms, supplements or deviates from the Bid requirements or has an incomplete Price Sheet may be considered nonresponsive at the discretion of the Procurement Manager.

Responsible Companies: The Commission shall only consider responsible companies. Responsible companies are those that have, in the sole judgment of the Commission, the financial ability, experience, resources, skills, capability, reliability and business integrity necessary to perform the requirements of the contract. The Commission may also consider references and quality to determine the responsibility of the bid. The Commission reserves the right to use any information, whether supplied through the Bidder’s submission or otherwise obtained, in determining responsibility.

Rejection of Bids: The Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any minor irregularity in the submissions received in response to this ITB. The Commission reserves the right to consider all information, whether submitted or otherwise, to determine responsiveness and responsibility and to reject bids accordingly.

Name of Business: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Person Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Business Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________ State: _____________________________ Zip code: ______________________________________

Phone: ___________________________ Fax: _______________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Federal Employer Identification Number: ____________________

The undersigned attest to the following:

“We understand all of the terms, conditions and the specifications contained herein and agree to abide by all of the terms, conditions and the specifications in their entirety.

Authorized Signature (Manual): ________________________________________________________________________________________

Authorized Signature Name (Typed) and Title: __________________________________________________________________________

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 2 of 71

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FWC 23/24-120

SCHEDULE DUE DATE METHOD

Bid Advertised July 8, 2024 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal

(VIP)

Deadline for Questions

Must be received

PRIOR to:

July 15, 2024

@ 5:00 PM ET

See Deadline for Questions Clause

Anticipated date for Responses to Written Questions July 18, 2024 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal

SEALED BIDS DUE

(REMEMBER: The bid number should be clearly marked on envelope)

Must be received

PRIOR to:

July 24, 2024

@ 2:30 PM ET

Mailing Address:

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation

Commission

Attn: Purchasing

1875 Orange Ave E

Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160

Submissions are due BEFORE the date and time of the public opening.

Public Bid Opening July 24, 2024

@ 2:30 PM ET

Public Opening Options for Attendance:

-In Person-

1875 Orange Ave E

Tallahassee, FL 32311-6160

-Teleconference-

Conference call phone number:

1.888.585.9008

Conference room number: 218-721-199

Anticipated Date of Intended

Award July 29, 2024 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 3 of 71

GENERAL CONDITIONS

FWC 23/24-120

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC or Commission) mission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The Commission administers six (6) major programs including habitat and species conservation, freshwater fisheries management, law enforcement, marine fisheries management, hunting and game management and fish and wildlife research.

A Bidder submitting a bid shall be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and where required, the Sunbiz system prior to the bid opening. Business entities which must be on file with Sunbiz include the following foreign and domestic entities: Corporations for and not for profit, Limited Liability

Companies (LLC), Limited Partnerships (LP) including Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLP), and organizations doing business under a fictitious name (DBA). A Bidder may not be considered for an award, if not registered in the MFMP and Sunbiz system. The Bidder’s registration address and federal employer identification (FEID) number should match the Bidder’s address and FEID number listed on the

Bidder Acknowledgment form (page 1).

Certified Minority-owned, Woman-owned and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, as certified by the State of Florida Office of Supplier Diversity, are encouraged by the Commission to participate in the bidding process.

Bids from Bidders shall include all necessary equipment to complete the job. The bidder is required to supply all specified documentation when submitting a bid for this project.

Please note:

• The terms “Contract,” “Agreement” and “Purchase Order” are used interchangeably in the document.

• The terms “Commodities” and “Goods” are used interchangeably in the document.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PUR 1000 and PUR1001 are hereby incorporated by reference. PUR1000 and PUR1001 can be found at the

Department of Management Services website at the following link:

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purc hasing_pur_forms

The following terms and conditions take precedence over the PUR1001 and PUR1000 forms where applicable. The Commission objects to and shall not consider any additional terms or conditions submitted by a Bidder or Contractor, including any appearing in documents attached as part of a Bidder’s response.

In signing and submitting its bid, a Bidder agrees that any additional terms or conditions, whether submitted intentionally or inadvertently, shall have no force or effect. Failure to comply with terms and conditions, including those specifying information that must be submitted with a bid, shall be grounds for rejecting a bid.

The terms and conditions of Attachment A, Purchase Order Terms and Conditions, are hereby incorporated into this solicitation. Any contract resulting from this solicitation will include the terms and conditions of this solicitation and the terms and conditions contained in Attachment A.

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 4 of 71

PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Matthew Carroll

Matthew.Carroll@myfwc.com

TERM

The contract will be effective one year upon issuance of Purchase Order.

If circumstances constituting Force Majeure have occurred, or if anything occurs beyond the Contractor’s control, the Contractor shall submit an extension request in writing. The Project Manager and Contract

Manager will review the extension request and if they determine it is justified, will forward to the Bid

Request Inbox (bidrequest@myfwc.com) for procurement review and approval/disapproval.

RENEWAL

The Commission has the option to renew this Contract on a yearly basis for a period up to one (1) year after the initial Contract period upon the same terms and conditions contained herein. Pursuant to Sections

287.057(1)(a)2., and 287.057(1)(a)3., Florida Statutes (F.S.), each Bidder shall supply a price for each year that a contract may be renewed. Evaluation of bids shall include consideration of the total cost of the contract, including the total cost for each renewal year, as submitted by the Bidder.

Exercise of the renewal option is at the Commission’s sole discretion and shall be conditioned, at a minimum, on the Contractor’s satisfactory performance of this Contract and is subject to the availability of funds. The Contractor if it desires to exercise this renewal option will provide written notice to the

Commission no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Contract expiration date. The renewal term shall require written approval from the Commission’s Procurement Manager.

SUBCONTRACTS

Subcontracting IS NOT permitted pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of the Purchase Order.

DIVERSITY

The Commission is committed to supporting Florida’s diverse business industry and population through ensuring participation by minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises in the economic life of the state. The State of Florida Mentor Protégé Program connects minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises with private corporations for business development mentoring. We strongly encourage contractors doing business with the State of Florida to consider this initiative. For more information on the

Mentor Protégé Program, please contact the Office of Supplier Diversity at (850) 487-0915 or osdinfo@dms.myflorida.com.

FWC encourages diversity in its procurement program and requests that all subcontracting opportunities afforded by this solicitation enthusiastically embrace diversity. The award of subcontracts should reflect the vast array of citizens in the State of Florida. Bidders can visit the Office of Supplier Diversity website for information on certified business enterprises that may be considered for subcontracting opportunities.

VERBAL INSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

Bidders may not consider any verbal instructions as binding upon the Commission. No negotiations, discussions, or actions shall be initiated or executed by the Bidder as a result of any discussion with any

Commission employee. Only those communications from the Commission that are in writing, may be considered as a duly authorized expression on behalf of the Commission.

mailto:bidrequest@myfwc.com?subject=Extension%20Request https://www.dms.myflorida.com/agency_administration/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/mentor_protege_program mailto:osdinfo@dms.myflorida.com https://www.dms.myflorida.com/agency_administration/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/mentor_protege_program

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 5 of 71

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS

Any questions from Bidders that require an official FWC answer concerning this project shall be submitted in writing to the Procurement Manager. This includes specification inquiries, such as questions or requests for additional or altered terms and conditions. Questions to the Procurement Manager shall not constitute formal protest of the specifications or of the solicitation. Questions must be received no later than the date and time specified in the Calendar of Events (Page 2). Questions may be sent via email with the solicitation number in the subject line. It is the responsibility of the bidder to confirm receipt of questions if needed.

If questions are received, an addendum will be issued and shall be posted on the Vendor Information Portal

(https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com).

LIMITATION ON BIDDER CONTACT DURING SOLICITATION PERIOD

Bidders to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the Commission posting the notice of intended award, (i.e., the 72-hour posting period excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays) any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the Procurement Manager or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

BIDDER SPECIFICATION CHALLENGE

Any protest concerning the specifications of this solicitation shall be made in accordance with PUR1001, paragraph 20, “Protests”. A notice of protest of the solicitation documents shall be made within seventy-two hours after the posting of the solicitation. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section

120.57(3)(b), F.S., shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, F.S.

ADDENDUMS

If the Commission finds it necessary to supplement, modify or interpret any portion of the specifications or documents or answer any Bidder questions during the ITB period an addendum shall be posted on the

Vendor Information Portal internet site. Each Bidder is responsible for monitoring the Vendor Information

Portal website (https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com) for new or changing information relative to this procurement. The Commission bears no responsibility for any delays, or resulting impacts, associated with a

Bidder’s failure to obtain the information made available through the Vendor Information Portal.

BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT

In order for this bid to be valid, the bid must be completed in its entirety, signed by the Bidder and returned, as part of the bid or the bid will be rejected. By affixing your signature to the ITB Bidder Acknowledgement

Form (page 1), the Bidder hereby states that the Bidder has read all bid specifications and conditions and agrees to all terms, conditions, provisions, specifications, and is currently licensed to do business within the

State of Florida, if required by State or Federal Law, for the services or commodities the Bidder will provide the Commission under these bid specifications.

REFERENCES

Each prospective Bidder shall provide a minimum of three (3) references for similar projects completed.

Current contact names and phone numbers shall be included with the bid package. See the attached references form for more detail.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 6 of 71

IDENTICAL TIE BIDS

Preference shall be given to businesses with drug-free workplace programs. If two (2) or more bids which are equal with respect to price, quality, and service are received by the State or by any political subdivision for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, a bid received from a business that certifies that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program shall be given preference in the award process.

Contractors must complete the Identical Tie Bid / Drug Free Workplace form (Attachment B) provided and return it with their bid.

SUPPORTING/SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Commission requires that bidders submit all required technical, specification, and other supporting information with their bid, so that a detailed analysis and determination can be made, by the Contract

Manager that the product/service offered meets this ITB’s specifications and that other requirements of this ITB have been met. However, provided a bid meets the requirements for a definite, firm, unqualified, and unconditional offer, the Commission reserves the right to request supplemental information from the bidder after the bids have been opened to ensure that the products/services offered completely meet this

ITB’s requirements. The requirement for such supplemental information will be at the reasonable discretion of the Commission and may include the requirement that a bidder will provide a sample product(s) so that the Commission can make a first-hand examination and determination.

A bidder's failure to provide this supplemental information or the product sample(s), within the time set by the Commission, will cause the Commission to consider the Contractor non-responsive and reject the

Contractor’s bid.

CONFIDENTIALITY/PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

Bidders are cautioned that Florida law generously defines what constitutes a public record and grants broad rights of public access to those records; see, for example, section 119.07, F.S. If a Bidder believes that its response contains information that is confidential or exempt from disclosure under Florida Law, the Bidder shall clearly segregate and mark that information (for example, stamp each page "Confidential" and place it in an envelope marked "Confidential") and briefly describe in writing the grounds and specific legal citations for claiming exemption from the public records law. If after the notice of intended decision or thirty

(30) days after bid opening, whichever is earlier, the Commission receives a public record request related to the solicitation, the Commission will provide copies of public records that are not exempt to the requester.

The Commission will endeavor to provide notice to the Bidder of all public records requests received related to documents provided by the Bidder that were marked pursuant to this paragraph. In no event shall the

Bidder hold the Commission or any of its employees or agents liable for disclosing, or otherwise failing to protect the confidentiality of, information submitted in response to this solicitation.

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS

All bids shall be submitted in a SEALED ENVELOPE addressed to:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Attn: Purchasing

1875 Orange Ave E

Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160.

The envelope shall be plainly marked on the outside with: BID NUMBER, DATE AND TIME OF THE BID

OPENING.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 7 of 71

THE COMMISSION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPENING OF ANY ENVELOPES THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY

MARKED.

PLEASE NOTE: The Commission’s official business hours of operation are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM ET, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Selecting delivery services, such as next day first delivery, may result in attempted delivery prior to opening or closing, and the Commission will not be available to accept those deliveries. THE COMMISSION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LATE SUBMISSIONS DUE TO COMPLICATIONS

RELATED TO SELECTED DELIVERY SERVICES.

SOLICITATION PUBLIC OPENING

The public opening of this bid will be conducted at the date, time and method specified on the Calendar of

Events (Page 2). BIDS RECEIVED AFTER THE SPECIFIED DATE AND TIME WILL BE REJECTED.

Any person with a qualified disability shall not be denied equal access and effective communication regarding any bid/proposal documents or the attendance at any related meeting or bid/proposal opening. If accommodations are needed because of a disability, please contact the Purchasing Section at (850) 488-6551 at least three (3) workdays prior to the opening.

AWARDED BID/INSPECTION

The Commission will award the bid to the responsive, responsible bidder who submits the lowest bid price.

If deemed necessary, an interview with the bidder by the Contract Manager may be required before the bid is awarded.

The Commission reserves the right to inspect the prospective Contractor’s materials and background record prior to making an award of the Contract. If the Contract Manager determines the lowest bidder does not have sufficient experience, equipment, etc. to meet the specifications of this ITB, the Commission reserves the right to reject the bidder and evaluate the next lowest bidder.

POSTING OF BID TABS

Bid Tabulations with Contractors identified as awarded bidders will be posted electronically as Agency

Decisions on the Department of Management Services Vendor Information Portal as a Public Notice. The

Agency Decision may be viewed at https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com, and will remain posted for a period of 72 hours. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3)(b), F.S., shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, F.S.

Awarded Bidders are instructed not to proceed until a Purchase Order, Formal Written Contract, Lease, Notice to Proceed, or some other form of written notice is given to the Contractor by the Commission. A company or person who proceeds prior to receiving a Purchase Order, Formal Written Contract, Lease, Notice to Proceed, or some other form of written notice from the Commission does so without a contract and at their own risk.

Sealed bids, proposals, or replies received by an agency pursuant to a competitive solicitation are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such time as the agency provides notice of an intended decision or until thirty (30) days after opening the bids, proposals, or final replies, whichever is earlier.

SCOPE CHANGES AFTER CONTRACT EXECUTION

The Commission shall provide written notice to the successful bidder thirty (30) days in advance of any

Commission required changes to the technical specifications and/or scope of service that affect the https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0100-0199/0119/Sections/0119.07.html

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 8 of 71 successful bidder’s ability to provide the service as specified herein. Any changes that are other than purely administrative changes will require a change order.

FWC CONTRACT MANAGER

The FWC employee identified as the Contract Manager shall perform the following on behalf of the FWC:

• review, verify, and approve receipt of services/deliverables from the Contractor;

• submit requests for change orders/amendments/renewals, if applicable;

• review, verify, and approve invoices from the Contractor; and, if applicable, complete the

Certificate of Contract Completion form; and

• maintain an official record of all correspondence between the Commission and the Contractor and forward the original correspondence to the Procurement Manager for the official file.

DELIVERABLES

The following services or service tasks are identified as deliverables for the purposes of the subsequent

Contract:

a. Performance of all services set forth in the Scope of Work.

b. Submission of all invoicing, supporting documentation, Corrective Action Plans and reports.

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

If the Contractor fails to complete the work or the conditions of the Purchase Order and/or Change Orders by the completion date, the Commission shall have the right to deduct liquidated damages from any amount due and payable to the Contractor. Liquidated damages shall be assessed in the amount of $0 per calendar day of delay. Exceptions to this provision may be made if a delay is attributable to circumstances that are clearly beyond the control of the Contractor. The burden of proof of unavoidable delay shall rest with the

Contractor and shall be supplied in a written form and submitted to the Contract Manager.

PERMITTING

Permitting for this project, if needed, is the responsibility of the Contractor. A copy of all permits shall be posted at the work site location at all times during the project. The Contractor is responsible for complying with all permit conditions and the Contractor shall pay any penalties arising from the Contractor’s permit violations.

AUTHORIZED COMPENSATION

It is understood and agreed that all compensation under this ITB is specifically limited to the Contractor’s bid price accepted by the Commission, and to the specific procedure for payment established in this ITB and the Purchase Order executed pursuant to it. The Commission is not liable for any costs, fees, expenses or any other compensation whatsoever incurred or charged by the Contractor, other than the bid price paid for the work specifically described in the Scope of Work, which work is actually accomplished and invoiced by the Contractor subsequent to the Commission’s notice to proceed (or other notice to begin work). Thus, the Commission is not liable for any costs incurred or charged by the Contractor in anticipation of responding to, or performing work described in, this ITB including, but not limited to, equipment or personnel procured by the Contractor in anticipation of such work. The Commission is not responsible to the Contractor for any loss or damages resulting from circumstances unforeseen at the time of publication of this ITB including, but not limited to, those resulting from a “force majeure”.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 9 of 71

ADDITIONAL LEGAL REQUIREMENT

All corporations seeking to do business with the State shall, at the time of submitting a bid, be on file with the Department of State in accordance with provisions of Chapter 607, F.S.; similarly, partnerships seeking to do business with the State shall, at the time of submitting such bid, have complied with the applicable provisions of Chapter 620, F.S. For further information on required filing and forms, please go to the following sites: http://sunbiz.org or http://dos.myflorida.com.

USE OF CONTRACT BY OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND ELIGIBLE USERS

As provided in Chapter 60A-1.045, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and Section 287.042(16), F.S., other State of Florida agencies may purchase from the resulting contract of this ITB, provided that the

Department of Management Services has determined the contract’s use is cost effective and in the best interest of the State, and with the Contractor’s consent.

Other State of Florida governmental entities and eligible users may also request of the Contractor to be able to use this contract. If the Contractor agrees to other entities to utilize this ITB contract, such agencies shall coordinate their use of this contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to reduce scheduling conflicts.

CONDITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The bidder is required to examine carefully the conditions and specifications of this bid and to be thoroughly informed regarding any and all requirements of the conditions and specifications.

http://www.sunbiz.org/ http://dos.myflorida.com/

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 10 of 71

SCOPE OF WORK

FWC 23/24-120

IGUANA REMOVAL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

PURPOSE

Iguanas are large lizards that grow to over four feet in length and weigh more than 15 pounds. They are considered invasive species in Florida due to the harm they can cause to the State’s ecology and infrastructure. Both Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) and Spiny-tail Iguanas (Ctenosaur sp.) are primarily herbivorous, but Spiny-Tail Iguanas can also consume a variety of insects, small vertebrate animals, and eggs. Green Iguanas were introduced into Florida as early as the 1960s via releases or escapes from the live animal trade in Florida and are now established in the southern portion of the peninsula and into the Keys. Spiny-Tail Iguanas have disjunct breeding populations in several counties in southern Florida, including Collier, Lee, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe. Both Green and Spiny-tail Iguana populations have increased in recent years and continue to cause adverse impact to native ecosystems and restoration sites in the Keys and other areas where they are established. They can impact conservation lands by competing with native species for food and burrows, eating plants used to restore conservation lands, and damaging established plants by burrowing into the root system making them susceptible to toppling and death.

The Wildlife Impact Management Section (WIM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission (“Commission” or “FWC”) is charged with managing nonnative fish and wildlife issues in

Florida. This purview includes conducting control efforts for priority species and collecting data on nonnative species distribution and natural history that can be used to develop management strategies for species or groups of species. The selected lowest bidding Respondent (Contractor) will provide support services to assist the agency in achieving the goals of these activities. This support will include the removal of Green and Spiny- tail Iguanas on state-managed lands (FWC and Florida State parks) in the Florida Keys (Figure 1) in accordance with areas predetermined by the Commission and its partnering agencies. Support services that are needed will include, but are not limited to:

• Minimizing the impact of Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas on critical public conservation lands as defined by the Commission via large scale removal efforts using multiple capture methods including, but not limited to air guns (where appropriate and approved by the land manager), hand capture, catch poles, live trapping, and egg removal.

• Evaluating the Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal project after its first year of completion to determine its value for continuation and potential expansion.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. Contractor will remove Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas from FWC’s Keys Wildlife and Environmental

Area (WEA) and selected State Parks in the Florida Keys, Monroe County. The Contractor will humanely kill all captured Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas, collect morphometric data on all captured

Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas, and dispose of Green and Spiny-tail Iguana carcasses collected over the contract period.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 11 of 71

2. SERVICE STANDARDS

2.1. Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal in FWC managed lands (Keys WEA) and selected State Parks in Monroe County.

2.1.1. The Contractor will be required to use the most effective capture technique(s) for the individual removal site including but not limited to hand capture, catch poles, live trapping, egg removal, and air guns (where legal, safe to use, and approved by the land manager). Removing Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas includes:

a. Upon execution of the contract through 30 June 2025, Contractor will remove Green and

Spiny-tail Iguanas a minimum of twice a month from each of the 13 selected removal sites in the Florida Keys, Monroe County, Florida (Figures 1-15). Cudjoe Key (a WEA site, Figure 6) is included as an alternative removal site bringing the total number of sites to 14.

However, no more than 13 sites will be sampled monthly). The Contractor will supply two or more staff, considered a survey team, for each WEA and State Park Iguana removal visit. The Contractor will spend a minimum of two hours per removal visit at each WEA and a minimum of six hours per removal visit at each State Park. The Contractor is required to work a minimum of six (6) hours conducting on-site iguana removal on each workday which may include multiple field sites. This requirement does not include travel time to field sites, humane killing, or data collection.

b. Contractor will work Monday – Friday throughout the duration of the contract. Iguana removal will not occur on weekends, state holidays, and when unsafe to do so (e.g., tropical storms, hurricanes, wildfires, pandemics), in coordination with the Project Manager.

c. Contractor is required to provide all transportation of their staff and supplies for this project.

d. Contractor is required to notify Project Manager, Park Managers, and FWC WEA lead biologist five (5) business days in advance of each site visit. Contractor will specifically identify which WEA and State Park sites will be visited in the notification so the FWC biologist and State Park Manager will know where and when the Contractor will be working. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to make alternative arrangements in the event of a conflict of a scheduled visit.

e. Contractor is required to contact the FWC Law Enforcement dispatch office and Monroe

County Sheriff’s Department dispatch office prior to removal efforts on the FWC WEA lands. If required by State Park Managers, the Contractor will be required to contact the

Park Rangers at individual parks prior to removal efforts.

f. The primary removal method used by the Contractor will be night-time collection of

Iguanas using hand capture tools (e.g., catch poles, nets). The Contractor will coordinate with the respective land manager to remove Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas from approved areas using approved equipment. Night-time removal efforts will be conducted in a manner to minimize disturbance to people utilizing the parks or adjacent residential areas.

Contractor and staff will conduct themselves professionally and will always consider public safety during this project.

g. The contractor will be required to submit GPS track logs for each site visit as part of deliverables submitted monthly to the Project Manager. GPS track logs shall begin upon start of iguana removal activities and end upon completion of these activities at each site.

Contractor will submit individual GPS track logs for each site visit.

h. The Contractor can request the use of alternative removal tools/techniques by contacting the Project Manager in writing. Alternative removal tools/techniques cannot be used by the

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 12 of 71

Contractor until receipt of approval in writing from the Commission Project Manager.

Depending on the requested removal tool, the Contractor may be asked to provide additional proof of training.

i. The FWC biologist overseeing the WEAs can request the Contractor remove Green and

Spiny-tail Iguanas from the alternative WEA (Cudjoe Key, (Figure 6) by contacting the

Project Manager in writing. The Contractor cannot remove iguanas from the alternative

WEA until receipt of approval in writing from the Commission Project Manager. An example of this type of request would be for an alternative WEA that is not currently being targeted for Iguana removals but is selected for planting during the contract and requires assistance from the Contractor until the plants become established. One alternate WEA (Cudjoe Key) is listed in Section 4: Service Area.

j. The State Park Manager can request the Contractor stop removing Green and Spiny-tail

Iguanas from their park by contacting the Commission Project Manager in writing. The

Commission Project Manager will notify the Contractor to discontinue removal efforts in writing. The allocated work hours for the park being dropped will be distributed between other participating State Parks.

k. The use of live traps is contingent upon land manager approval. Live traps will be placed approximately three (3) feet into the vegetation line if placed by a road or trail. Traps should be placed in the shade, or the top of the trap covered with vegetation or other material to provide shade to reduce heat stress on trapped animals. All live traps used to capture Iguanas must be checked once every 24 hours. Native bycatch captured in live traps will be released immediately at site of capture unharmed and must be documented on the daily datasheets. Live traps will be marked with the Contractor’s name, telephone number, and trap number. If any live traps are tampered with, damaged, stolen, or lost, Contractor will communicate these issues with Project Manager immediately upon discovery. All live traps will be closed every Friday by 5:00 pm.

l. The live traps approved for use are Havahart 1079, Tomahawk S90, and Tomahawk S50.

Havahart traps must be tightly wrapped in ¼ or ½ inch hardware cloth to avoid escape of hatchlings and subadults or trespass of nontarget species. Tomahawk S90 and S50 constructed with a mesh size of ½ inch by 1 inch do not need to be wrapped in hardware cloth.

2.1.2. The Contractor will humanely kill captured Iguanas.

a. All Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas live-captured will be placed in a snake bag/pillowcase secured with electrical tape, then placed inside a secure container (e.g., lockable action packer) labeled “Prohibited Reptiles” in accordance with transport requirements for Green

Iguanas in Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C. All bags will contain no more than 1 animal at a time and shall be labeled with unique identifiers for each individual Green and Spiny-tail Iguana using flagging tape to ensure that captured individuals are kept separate from each other during transport. Live Iguanas shall not be kept in direct sunlight.

b. Iguanas captured during this project shall be humanely killed off-site at an appropriate location away from the public’s view. Any recommended locations by the Contractor will be approved by the Commission prior to the project’s start date. Humane killing of trapped nonnative wildlife will be completed at the end of each workday not to exceed 24 hours from time of capture.

c. Contractor will humanely kill Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas using a captive bolt gun, or other legal and humane method as approved by the Project Manager, followed by pithing of the brain.

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2.1.3. The Contractor will collect morphometric data on all captured Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas and submit it to the Commission (data sheets will be provided by Commission; example shown in Table 2).

a. Morphometric measurements including, snout to vent length (SVL), total length (TL), sex

(male, female, juvenile), and mass (kg) will be recorded on the Commission-issued data sheet after each Green and Spiny-tail Iguana has been humanely killed. If another nonnative reptile species is collected incidentally during this project (e.g., during trapping), Contractor will indicate the species and number removed on the data sheet. Other species of captured nonnative wildlife will be humanely killed by the Contractor unless otherwise directed by the Project Manager.

b. Collection location, collection method (hand, catch pole, live trap, etc.), specimen number, day, or night collection time, and start and end survey time will be recorded on data sheet and submitted electronically to the Commission per the fee schedule in Section 11 as a part of the monthly deliverables.

2.1.4. The Contractor will dispose of Green and Spiny-tail Iguana carcasses.

a. Green and Spiny-tail Iguana carcasses will be disposed of at a facility that accepts them, and all costs associated with disposal will be covered by the Contractor.

b. Contractor can dispose of Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas at an alternative site with Project

Manager or Contract Manager permission.

c. Contractor will dispose of carcasses at their convenience.

3. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

3.1. Depending on the removal techniques approved by the individual Land Manager, the Contractor will purchase the following equipment upon execution of this contract and any other necessary equipment required to perform these services:

3.1.1. Lockable action packer(s) or other securable heavy-duty tote(s).

3.1.2. Captive bolt gun.

3.1.3. Captive bolt gun cartridges.

3.1.4. Snake bags/pillowcases.

3.1.5. Heavy duty gloves.

3.1.6. Electrical tape.

3.1.7. GPS unit.

3.1.8. Catch poles.

3.1.9. Extension poles.

3.1.10. Canoe/kayak, life jacket.

3.1.11. Landing net.

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3.1.12. Headlamps.

3.1.13. Spotlights or flashlights.

3.1.14. Gloves.

3.1.15. Live traps.

4. SERVICE AREA

4.1. The service area consists of five routine and one alternative areas within the Keys Wildlife

Environmental Area (WEA) system and eight Florida State Parks in the Florida Keys (Figure 1, Table 1). The red polygon on individual site maps is the approximate boundary of the WEA (Figures

2-7) or State Park (Figures 8-15). The actual area accessible to the Contractor is at the discretion of the FWC WEA biologist or State Park Manager. The five WEA locations identified for routine iguana removal efforts are Sandy Sprunt, Dove Creek Canal, Dove Creek Harry Harris, Little Torch Key, and Sammy Creek Landing Day Use Area (Figures 2-6). One alternative WEA location is Cudjoe

Key (Figure 7), all other locations in this agreement are considered routine locations. The Contractor may be asked by the Project Manager to substitute the alternative WEA location for one of the routine WEA locations for Iguana removal efforts. Iguanas will be removed from the alternate site until such time the Project Manager contacts the Contractor to resume removal activities at one of the routine sites. The state parks include Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State

Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Windley Key Administrative Office (land-based), Indian Key Historic State Park, Long Key State

Park, Curry Hammock State Park, and Bahia Honda State Park. (Figures 8-15). A combination to the lock on the Sammy Creek Landing Day Use Area WEA gate (obtained by the Contractor from

FWC staff) is required. The Contractor cannot cut, remove, or damage native vegetation. A state and federally protected species of cactus is found in the immediate work area of the WEA sites. The location coordinates of these protected cacti will be provided to the Contractor. The Contractor should also be aware of poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum) at all sites. If an individual is allergic, this plant can cause welts, pain, blisters, and inflammation.

5. MINIMUM LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE

5.1. Contractor must actively remove Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas from each of the thirteen selected locations within the Keys WEA and State Parks a minimum of twice per month per site upon execution of the contract through 30 June 2025, unless minimum site visits have been adjusted (due to force majeure) in consultation with the Commission. In the event the Project Manager requests the Contractor to remove Iguanas from Cudjoe Key (the alternative WEA location), the number of

WEAs and State Parks visited monthly will remain at thirteen.

5.2. If a Contractor uses live traps, each trap must be marked with a unique, inconspicuous identifier approved by the Commission.

5.3. The Contractor will accurately document services performed using an Excel spreadsheet. The

Contractor will report every removal trip to the Commission Project Manager with each monthly deliverable, regardless of if any nonnative reptiles were captured or observed. The monthly report will include numbers of Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas captured (with captured trap ID information), capture location (latitude, longitude) and site location, associated morphometric data for each captured Green and Spiny-tail Iguana, and the GPS track log(s) or other means of logging track data

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 3.27.2024 FWC 23/24-120, Page 15 of 71 as approved by the Project Manager. Documents submitted by the Contractor will be used to validate completion of required deliverables.

6. CONTRACT REPORTING

6.1. The Contractor shall submit reports in accordance with the following schedule:

6.1.1. Proof of Insurance

a. Period Covered – Annual

b. Description - Proof of appropriate General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

c. Due Date – Upon policy renewal.

6.1.2. Monthly Report

a. Period Covered – Calendar Month

b. Description –

i. Report shall be in an Excel spreadsheet.

ii. Report shall contain all data recorded on datasheets,

iii. Report shall contain numbers of Green and Spiny-tail Iguanas removed by method (e.g. live traps, night captures, etc), with associated capture coordinates.

iv. Report shall contain trap days,

v. Report shall contain trap/bait status,

vi. Report shall contain associated morphometric data for each captured Green and Spiny-tail iguana,

vii. Report shall contain photograph file names associated with each Green and Spiny-tail iguana.

c. Due Date – Five (5) business days after close of the period.

7. PERMITS

7.1. The Contractor will be covered under a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Scientific

Research/Collecting permit issued to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining any additional permits required to conduct this work.

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8. OTHER FEES AND CHARGES

8.1. Additional fees including but not limited to, property taxes, delivery charges, pick-up charges, fuel surcharges, interest fees, late payment fees (if paid within thirty days of the invoice date), or removal charges are not permitted under this Contract.

9. ROUTINE COMMUNICATIONS

9.1. Upon execution of the contract, all routine communications and reports related to this solicitation shall be sent to the Commission’s Contract Manager and Project Manager. Communications may be by e-mail, regular mail, or telephone.

10. INVOICES

10.1. Invoices must clearly identify the contract number, invoice date, invoice number, purchase order number if applicable, dates of service, work site(s), total cost, and remittance address. Invoices for services shall be submitted monthly in accordance with the Fee Schedule. The same monthly dates of service will apply to any subsequent annual renewal periods.

11. FEE SCHEDULE

Dates of Service Invoice Date

July 1-31, 2024 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

August 1–31, 2024 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

September 1–30, 2024 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

October 1–31, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

November 1–30, 2024 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

December 1–31, 2024 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

January 1–31, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

February 1–28, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

March 1–31, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

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April 1–30, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

May 1–31, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

June 1–30, 2025 Five (5) business days after close of the period.

12. FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES

12.1. Failure to submit the completed data sheets and GPS track logs monthly will result in denial of payment for that month of removal trips unless prior arrangements have been discussed and agreed upon by the Contractor and Commission. The Commission shall reduce payment by $500 for each site visit missed for each State Park and WEA in which the minimum number of monthly site visits

(2) was not met and where the Contractor fails to perform according to the minimum specifications as set forth in this bid solicitation. Financial consequences shall not exceed the total amount of the bid award.

13. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

13.1. Bidder must, at a minimum, possess 3 years’ experience trapping and euthanizing nuisance and/or nonnative invasive wildlife.

13.2. Bidder must not have any documented wildlife violations and/or animal cruelty violations.

13.3. Bidder must, at a minimum, possess 3 years’ experience in appropriately using a handheld GPS unit and downloading data from and to Google Earth or ArcGIS.

13.4. Bidder must, at a minimum, possess 3 years’ experience in data recording, managing databases, and writing professional technical reports.

14. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

14.1. Bidder shall provide references for a minimum of three professional wildlife removal contracts awarded to the bidder within the past 3 years.

15. ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

15.1. The Contractor must contact and receive a combination from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission to access gate to Sammy Creek Landing Day Use Area removal area prior to the project start date. The Contractor is required to notify appropriate State Park staff and Project Manager by email or telephone 5 days in advance of scheduled removal efforts. Contractor will arrange with

Park staff for after-hours access to individual parks.

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16. RENEWAL OPTION

16.1. If FWC is satisfied with the performance of the Contractor in Year 1, the Contractor may be renewed for a second year.

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17. REFERENCED FIGURES

17.1. Figure 1: The Proposed 14 Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal sites in the Florida Keys (includes five routine and one alternative

FWC WEAs and eight routine Florida State Parks).

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17.2. Figure 2: Upper Keys FWC Wildlife and Environmental Areas.

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17.3. Figure 3: FWC WEA lands Sandy Sprunt (top) and Dove Creek Canal routine sites. The approximate Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal area is outlined in red. The Dove Creek Canal site requires boat access. Launch sites are on the east end of Peace Road (south side of canal). Launch sites are on private property, but landowners have granted permission to use their ramps.

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17.4. Figure 4: FWC WEA Dove Creek Harry Harris routine site. The approximate Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal area is outlined in red.

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17.5. Figure 5: FWC WEA Little Torch Key routine site. The approximate Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal area is outlined in red.

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17.6. Figure 6: FWC WEA Cudjoe Key alternative site. The approximate Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal area is outlined in red.

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17.7. Figure 7: FWC WEA Sammy Creek Landing Day Use Area routine site. The approximate Green and Spiny-tail Iguana removal area is outlined in red.

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17.8. Figure 8: Dagny Johnson Key Largo…