Bird monitoring at Duck and Chisik islands

The U.S. Geological Survey intends to procure bird monitoring services at Duck and Chisik Islands in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, under a total small business set-aside, with capability statements due May 13, 2026. This is a sources-sought announcement for market research; the Government is not committed to award based on responses.

Performance runs June 15, 2026, through June 14, 2027. Work includes recapture of Common Murres previously tagged with geolocator tags in 2024 to retrieve movement data; index and monitoring surveys for Common Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes at various breeding stages; deployment and removal of remote nest monitoring cameras at Common Murre nesting sites; and preparation of comprehensive documentation including a summary report on the 2023–2026 Common Murre survival study and proofed data with methods and metadata for data release.

The contractor must support ongoing seabird research and monitoring required to fulfill USGS responsibilities under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, particularly in regions with active oil and gas leases where understanding seabird population resilience is critical.

NAICS 541715 applies (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Capability statements addressing the attached statement of work should be submitted by electronic mail to amberry@ios.doi.gov by May 13, 2026, at 7:00 AM Pacific time. The Government will not reimburse costs incurred in preparing responses.