Dakota Skipper Surveys, Dakota Prairie Grasslands

The USDA Forest Service is soliciting quotes for Dakota Skipper butterfly surveys in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands of North Dakota through a Request for Quotation focused on conducting presence/absence surveys for this Endangered Species Act-listed species. The procurement requires specialized butterfly survey services including 12 days of fieldwork during the critical survey window of June 12-July 19, development of a comprehensive work plan, and delivery of a final report with GIS data covering McKenzie and Medora Ranger Districts. Contractors must possess specific qualifications including a USFWS 10(a)(1)(A) permit for Dakota Skipper work and demonstrate capability to survey additional sensitive butterfly species such as monarch butterfly, regal fritillary, and Ottoe skipper. The technical proposal evaluation will assess past performance, technical capability, and price, with the government reserving the right to award to the most advantageous offer. Quotes are due by September 5, 2025, at 1700 MST and must be submitted electronically to andrea.haines@usda.gov.

This procurement operates without any set-aside designation and is classified under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) with a small business size standard of $15 million. The contract period spans from May 1, 2025, through November 8, 2026, providing contractors with an extended timeline to complete all deliverables including the fieldwork, progress reporting, and final comprehensive documentation. The work will be performed across specific townships and sections within the Little Missouri National Grassland in McKenzie and Medora Ranger Districts near Dickinson, North Dakota. The Forest Service will provide supporting materials including GIS layers, detailed survey location maps, and off-road vehicle permits to facilitate access to the designated survey areas. The procurement involves three distinct tasks with the contractor required to submit pricing for all components, with the government planning to make a single award covering the entire scope of work.