Bird Survey - Dept of Military - UPDATED

The Tennessee Army National Guard (TNARNG) has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for a comprehensive bird survey to be conducted at the Volunteer Training Sites (VTS) in Milan, Tennessee. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform a detailed scientific survey across 18,581 acres, focusing on identifying avian species including neotropical migrants, migratory waterfowl, and any federal or state listed species of concern. The survey is part of the TNARNG's five-year natural resources management plan, with the most recent previous survey conducted in 2020. Deliverables include monthly progress reports, a draft survey report at 21 months, and a final biological survey report at 24 months, with all data to be provided in specified digital formats compatible with TNARNG's existing systems. The contract will be awarded on a lowest-cost basis, with bidders required to submit responses by the designated date, and all questions and comments due by 2:00 PM Central on August 17, 2025. The contract period is 24 months from the Notice to Proceed, with potential extensions up to a total of sixty months, and will involve non-destructive sampling methods across various habitat types including forestland, grasslands, and wetlands.

Bidders must be registered with the State of Tennessee Supplier Portal and comply with various state regulations, including Tennessee Department of Revenue registration and prohibition of illegal immigrants. The solicitation includes specific requirements for drone usage, mandating that only American-made drones can be used, and contractors must have proper licensing with a formal approval process involving submission of flight plans to the Natural Resource Manager. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, contractors must provide a certificate of insurance and comply with federal funding accountability and transparency regulations. The contract has a maximum liability of $200,000, with a payment schedule structured around key milestones: 10% for kick-off meeting minutes, 10% for the project work plan, 40% for field sampling and species identification, 20% for draft survey reports, and a final 20% upon submission of the complete final report and associated electronic data. The State reserves the right to negotiate with respondents and may request clarifications or revised proposals as part of the selection process.