Avian Monitoring for Habitat Conditions and Disturbance Effects C15V0023

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, specifically the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive avian monitoring contract (RFP No. C15V0023) covering nine State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs) statewide. The contractor will be responsible for providing training on avian monitoring techniques, compiling and assessing existing avian data, and obtaining local and remote sensing data for field staff. Key deliverables include creating a statewide avian database, developing habitat maps, designing analytic approaches, generating recommendations for future bird surveys, and producing peer-reviewed articles. The proposal evaluation will be based on technical merit (70 points maximum) and cost (30 points maximum), with a minimum combined score of 70 points required for responsiveness. Proposals are due by 2 PM on April 28, 2016, with a contract term of 1,095 calendar days (3 years) from the notice to proceed. The RFP includes travel requirements to all nine SVRAs, with reimbursement for actual expenses according to state rates for lodging, meals, and incidentals.

The solicitation includes specific provisions for small businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE), offering a 5% preference for certified small businesses or non-small businesses subcontracting 25% to certified small businesses. A DVBE incentive is available for bidders with 0.01% or higher DVBE participation. Proposing organizations must submit comprehensive documentation, including contractor certification sheets, cost proposals, references, and Darfur Contracting Act certification. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the complexity of the project involving training, data compilation, mapping, and research across nine different SVRAs suggests a substantial contract value. The project requires significant technical expertise in avian monitoring, data analysis, and environmental research, indicating that potential bidders should have advanced capabilities in ecological studies, remote sensing, and comprehensive data management.