Tricolored Bat Telemetry Project

Added: Mar 06, 2018 1:26 pm AFTC/PZI (Arnold) contracting division intends to solicit and award a Firm-Fixed Price contract for a tricolored bat telemetry study at Arnold Air Force Base, TN.
The tricolored bat was once common across the eastern U.S. However, populations have experienced severe declines as a result of white-nose syndrome (WNS). The tricolored bat is currently not federally listed, but the USFWS is in the process of evaluating the species status to determine if listing is warranted and predicts that it will be. Understanding the spring migration and roosting ecology of tricolored bats is critical given the unprecedented conservation crisis and population declines the species is facing from WNS. Unfortunately, basic information about migration corridors and roosting ecology is lacking for tricolored bats.
Previously, tricolored bats were captured and banded at AAFB and surrounding caves. It was hoped that the interconnectivity of colonies and tricolored bat roosts on base could be elucidated over time. This effort was initiated in cooperation with other state and federal agencies in response to White-nose Syndrome in 2008. While banding and subsequent recaptures on AAFB and caves permitted data to be gathered about tricolored bat survival and population numbers, there has been no success determining migration.. AAFB conducted a telemetry study to examine roosting ecology and foraging habits with only limited success because only five bats were captured in mist nets. Historically, bat migration pathways have been obtained through straight line connections between summer banding sites and winter hibernacula counts. Although important, this method lacks the ability to gain essential physiological and ecological data that may have a role in an individual bat's migration strategy. A more complete understanding of the migration corridors and roosting ecology on AAFB would assist in better defining foraging habitat for future revisions of AAFB's programmatic agreement. Further knowledge of the roosts used by tricolored bats foraging on AAFB would assist in developing partnerships for the conservation of the species.
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation and constitutes the only solicitation. Quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
The solicitation number for this effort is FA9101-18-Q-0019. Offerors shall comply with the attached instructions, provisions, and clauses.
The following attachments to this notice include: (1) Scope of Work; (2) Combined Synopsis/Solicitation to include Offeror's Information/Quote and FAR Provisions and Clauses.
The NAICS code is 541690. This solicitation is unrestricted and being procured using full and open competition.
Offers due date/time: Solicitation package responses shall be received electronically no later than 12:00PM CST on 21 March 2018.