US Native Turtles - Housing Care Testing

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service seeks housing, care, testing, and data management services for confiscated U.S. native turtles to support repatriation, with proposals due September 15. The procurement is a Women-Owned Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 541940, Veterinary Services.

Place of performance is the Fish and Wildlife Service Over Satellite G/S contracting office at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia. The contractor must directly operate or have direct administrative control over year-round facilities in the contiguous 48 United States equipped to house a minimum of 500 confiscated native turtles and tortoises simultaneously. Facilities must meet or exceed Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards and include ambient climate control with backup systems, secure species-specific enclosures, detailed biosecurity protocols, individual quarantine areas, brumation management equipment, security systems, and biological sample storage. The contractor must maintain appropriate federal, state, and tribal licenses; employ or provide immediate access to reptile-specialized veterinarians; maintain health and welfare standard operating procedures; implement emergency response and facility contingency plans; and provide a central point of contact available outside normal business hours.

The contract period runs October 5, 2026 through October 4, 2027, with a total price not to exceed $499,000 on a firm fixed-price basis. Award will be made without discussions to the responsible offeror submitting the lowest evaluated price meeting or exceeding acceptable technical standards. Technical capability and past performance are weighted as significantly more important than price. Large businesses must submit a small business subcontracting plan meeting goals of 42% Small Business, 10% Small Disadvantaged Business, 5% Women-Owned Small Business, 3% HUBZone, 5% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and 3% ISBEE. Questions are due three days prior to closing at 10 AM Pacific Time. Submit to Robert_Sung@ios.doi.gov with subject line "140F0S26Q0050 - Turtles."