Karst Species Monitoring

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center-Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC­-CERL) has a requirement for services to search for, explore, document, and map new karst features and any associated troglofauna observed in and around the features, including western slimy salamanders (Plethodon albagula) and the tricolored bat; update the location of previously documented, significant karst features; update the Rocket River flow baseline & reinstallation of sensors; and to assist with at-risk karst species management and conservation at Fort Cavazos. ERDC-CERL intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to Zara Environmental LLC in accordance with FAR 13.106-l(b}(l). 

Market research indicates that Zara Environmental is uniquely qualified to carry out the tasks associated with the proposed contract. The contractor is expected to survey, monitor, map, and identify karst and karst associated species at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas. 

Zara Environmental personnel have coordinated karst monitoring on Fort Cavazos since 1989.  They alone are familiar with all of the karst features on the installation (currently listed at >1000 features) and have access to detailed databases of their findings.  Zara’s specific experience includes: identification, surveying, and monitoring of central Texas karst invertebrates and karst microhabitats; surveying and mapping karst features; water sample collection and analyses; vertically proficiency in SRT techniques; trained in NCRC Cave Rescue and SPAR; trained in cave diving; and experience in writing management plans for karst-adapted fauna IAW USFWS protocol.

Many of the karst species on Fort Cavazos are endemic to the area and therefore require very specialized identifications skills.  Zara was involved in development of the karst management plan for Fort Cavazos and all subsequent reports and publications on the karst features of the installation.  Zara has the experience (20+ years), equipment, and permits (USFWS and TPWD) necessary to conduct the work. 

Because of these reasons Zara Environmental LLC is the sole source for this procurement. 

This is a notice of intent to sole source synopsis, not a solicitation or a request for competitive quotations.  This is not a set-aside of any kind.  Any interested party that believes they should be considered as capable of fulfilling this requirement should submit a capability statement of their related products or services to be reviewed for technical content.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government    All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will in any way alter the Government’s acquisition strategy.

Please provide responses to this notice no later than the time listed above in this notice, to: CERL-CT_Quotes@usace.army.mil.

Telephone responses will not be accepted.