IA-_Statement_of_Objectives_1.docx

Statement of Objectives I. Purpose

a. The purpose of this project is to examine opportunities to manage the workload through efficiencies and make strategic investments in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service International Affairs Permitting Program. This review is an essential step in ensuring that the permitting program has the staffing, organizational structure, and processes necessary to support conservation, provide excellent customer service to permit applicants, and ensure each employee working on permitting has a reasonable workload with opportunities for development and training.

II. Scope or Mission

a. This review is essentially a “requirements analysis” and would look at the IA permitting program holistically, meaning, review of IA’s current permits program administration workload and its current approach / processes for administering the permitting program, staffing model, efficiencies, other non-permitting responsibilities of the permitting staff etc.

III. Period and Place of Performance

a. The period of performance will be six (6) months, which will begin on the date of contract award. Work on this project, meetings, and interviews are expected to be completed virtually and in-person as necessary.

IV. Background

a. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's International Affairs Program (IA) coordinates domestic and international efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on species of international concern, including domestic species that extend beyond our borders or are traded internationally. IA manages an incredible permitting workload that supports legal and biologically sustainable wildlife trade around the world. Approximately 40 employees annually process over 30,000 permits, manage over 70,000 inquiries from the public and permit applicants, and respond to over 60 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Sixteen of those staff members work on permit applications that are often complex and for which the required analyses for findings can take several months.

V. Performance Objectives

a. Finding proactive solutions to address the increasing workload, maximize conservation outcomes of our investments, as well as, identifying pressing challenges and opportunities to address these challenges.

b. Finding efficiencies in regulatory permitting processes in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policy.

c. Effectively analyzing current organizational structure and identifying needed resources so we may strategically advocate for additional investments in our work.

d. Effectively planning and facilitating organizational change.

e. Effectively engage internal and external stakeholders (permit applicants) ensure all relevant input is captured and analyzed.

VI. Operating Constraints

a. The contractor will have exposure to Personally Identifiable Information (PII), sensitive information. Contractor must follow all FWS requirements for training and access, and will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement

b. The Contractor will have to obtain access and navigate the Service wide permits system.

c. The IA program is limited in the amount of time that can be allocated to this effort to include durations of time over several months. Contractor must minimize the number and duration of meetings to the maximum extent possible.

VII. Deliverable(s)

a. Final Report Containing:

i. Workforce structure and organization recommendations

ii. Proposed permitting process improvements and recommendations, including software and technology improvements while maximizing conservation outcomes for the species regulated.

iii. Proposed improvements to the application process so that applicants provide complete information.

iv. Messaging/communication plan to address the concerns of internal and external stakeholders VIII. Attachments

a. Current permitting process map

b. Current organizational chart

c. Branch of Permits Workload Graphic

d. Links to Permit Applications, Pertaining Laws, Regulations, and Policy