2025 Lower Columbia Estuary White Sturgeon Research Test Fishing

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking up to four independent contractors to conduct white sturgeon research test fishing in the lower Columbia River estuary area below Wauna power lines. The procurement involves providing approved vessels, labor, a 7 3/4 to 9 inch mesh gillnet of at least 150 fathoms, and necessary equipment for gillnetting white sturgeon. Key contractor qualifications include a minimum of three years of commercial fishing experience in the lower Columbia River, a current Masters Operator's License, and first aid certification. The evaluation criteria will comprehensively score proposals across multiple dimensions: vessel operator qualifications (40 points), references (15 points), vessel and gear specifications (25 points), project understanding (10 points), and pricing (25 points), with a total possible score of 115 points. The solicitation was posted on March 13, 2025, with proposals due by April 10, 2025, and an anticipated contract award date of April 17, 2025. The contract period will run from the last signature date through June 30, 2025, with 15-20 total fishing days planned during the mid-May through June period, involving three sets per day with 45-60 minute soak times.

The State of Oregon actively encourages participation from small businesses, with specific emphasis on those certified as disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or emerging small businesses. The project is funded through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Columbia River Management Program and is designed to support sound management of the white sturgeon population through a mark/recapture research study. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contract allows for a minimum of 15 days of test fishing at a set rate, with the potential for up to 5 additional days at the same rate. The total contract value is not explicitly stated, but will be determined based on the per-day rates proposed by contractors. Contractors will be responsible for providing all materials, equipment, and labor necessary to complete the research project, with ODFW staff handling fish tagging during the test fishing operations. The state reserves the right to adjust the number of fishing days based on budgetary constraints, with proportional price adjustments to the proposed per-day rate.