Sources Sought beta.SAM_3.pdf

TITLE: PIT Tag Antennas Maintenance

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 140R4021R0003

PURPOSE: The purpose of this contract is to acquire contractor services to assist in the logistics and maintenance of PIT tag antennas for the Rio Grande Silver Minnow (RGSM) Movement study in the San Acacia and Isleta reaches of the Middle Rio Grande.

Reclamation has committed to river connectivity under the 2016 Biological Opinion for water Management and Maintenance Activities on the Middle Rio Grande. Irrigation infrastructure on the Rio Grande of New Mexico fragments the river into distinct reaches, preventing fish species such as the RGSM from being able to move freely throughout the available habitat. There is currently no fish passage available at the irrigation dams. Reclamation is investigating the development of a suitable fish passage system for the San Acacia Diversion Dam (SADD), Isleta Diversion Dam (IDD), and Angostura Diversion Dam (ADD).

Reclamation will be exploring options to facilitate fish passage at these Diversion Dams. Part of the process will be studying specific characteristics of the RGSM to properly inform decision makers on the selection of a viable option for facilitating fish passage.

In 2019 Reclamation partnered with Utah State University (USU) to conduct a study to assess movement of the RGSM in the Middle Rio Grande. This study involves tagging RGSM with PIT tags and using PIT Tag Antennas spread throughout the study reach to assess the species movement.

This requirement is anticipated on being procured in accordance with Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations as a small business set-aside. The Bureau of Reclamation intends to issue a competitive solicitation for this requirement.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The principal components of the work are listed under the project description below:

1. The Contractor will be required to maintain approximately 20-25 PIT tag antennas throughout the Isleta and San Acacia Reaches.

o Switch out batteries up to twice a month o Download data from each antenna to be transmitted to Reclamation and USU

2. Contractor will need to maintain records of locations and backup data as necessary.

3. Assist Reclamation staff with additional duties as assigned o Obtain a USFWS Recovery “10(a)(1)9A)” permit for handling endangered species in particular Rio Grande Silvery Minnow o Duties may include:

▪ Data compilation

▪ PIT tag antenna maintenance

▪ Relocation of antenna based on needs of the study

▪ Battery maintenance and storage

LOCATION OF THE WORK: Work is located approximately in the San Acacia and Isleta reaches of the Middle Rio Grande.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The requirement is anticipated to be awarded in April of 2021 and is a base contract with 4 options years, for an anticipated period of performance of:

- Base year: April 2021 through April 2022

- Option Year 1: April 2022 through April 2023

- Option Year 2: April 2023 through April 2024

- Option Year 3: April 2024 through April 2025

- Option Year 4: April 2025 through April 2026

NAICS AND SIZE STANDARD: The NAICS code for this project is 541990 with a small business size standard of $16.5 million.

INFORMATION REQUESTED: The Government is doing market research to find interested vendors who fall under the following socioeconomic programs; 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, or Women Owned Small Business. The Government is only interested in responses from vendors who fall under at least one of the previous socioeconomic programs.

When responding to this notice, respondents are asked to provide the following information:

1. Firm’s name, address, point of contact, phone number, email address, Cage Code, DUNS number.

2. Business classification, to include size and any additional socioeconomic classification(s).

3. Brief capabilities statement that addresses experience performing similar projects. Please provide the scope of the project, location, and dollar amount.

SUBMIT TO: Responses to this Sources Sought notice should be received no later than 5 pm MT on March 1, 2021. Submit responses by email to the attention of Tyler Spencer, Contract Specialist:

Email – tspencer@usbr.gov and cc Mary Maestas, Contracting Officer: Email – mmaeastas@usbr.gov.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (SOLICITATION), AN INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB), NOR IS IT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ). It is not to be construed as a commitment by the requesting party to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

Responses will not be considered as proposals, bids, or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this Notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this Notice. As a result of this Notice, the Government may issue a competitive solicitation; however, should such requirements materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to the Notice (e.g. use of such information as either part of its evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement).

mailto:tspencer@usbr.gov