MT-bozeman fish technology- urchin UNI feed formul

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting professional scientific consulting services for urchin (uni) aquaculture feed formulation and research development at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center in Montana. The contractor will provide 12 months of research and development consulting focused on developing formulated feeds for urchin aquaculture to improve growth, gonad quality, nutritional efficiency, and sustainability. Required qualifications include technical expertise in aquaculture nutrition, experimental design, and data analysis, with demonstrated relevant aquaculture nutrition experience within the past five years. Evaluation will be conducted on a Best Value basis, considering competitive pricing, technical capabilities, technical expertise, and positive past performance history verified through CPARS/CRA and reference checks. Quotes must be submitted by February 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST via email to khalilah_brown@fws.gov, and the period of performance runs from February 16, 2026 to February 15, 2027.

This opportunity is designated as a 100% Total Small Business set-aside with a firm-fixed price contract structure under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) with a size standard of 1,000 employees. No incumbent contractor or budget range is identified in the solicitation materials. The contractor must comply with prevailing wage requirements under Wage Determination 2015-6027 for Gallatin County, Montana, and must submit required quote components including a one-page technical capability statement, proposed technical approach, key personnel qualifications, and itemized cost breakdown. The scope of work encompasses four primary nutrition project areas: urchin feed development, trout diet improvement, alternative ingredient assessment for bait, and data entry and statistical analyses for ingredient evaluation projects. The work will be performed at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center, with the Contracting Officer identified as Caleb Kindsvater and the Technical Point of Contact as Sharri Lunde.