Conservation dogs to locate large carnivore scat at starkey experimental forest

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a contractor to provide trained conservation dogs and handlers to locate and collect large carnivore scat samples at the Starkey Experimental Forest and Research Range (SEFR) in Union County, Oregon. The project requires collecting scat samples from specific large carnivores, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, and cougar, within and adjacent to the experimental forest. The Request for Proposal (RFP) requires the contractor to provide trained dogs, handlers, and necessary equipment to conduct surveys within a 6-8 week period between May 1 and June 30 for both 2022 and 2023. Evaluation criteria include Cost Sheet (30 points), References (20 points), General Qualifications (50 points), and Understanding of Requested Services/Project (30 points). The proposal was posted on March 2, 2022, with an initial due date of March 16, 2022, and an anticipated contract start date of May 1, 2022. ODFW will provide the survey grid, guidance, and materials needed for sample collection, and the contractor must follow established field collection protocols.

The procurement includes a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, which requires offerors to describe steps for soliciting certified minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses for potential subcontracting opportunities. The state encourages participation of Certified Firms and requires reporting of subcontractor identities and values to the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID). The Notice of Intent to Award indicates that Western Ecosystem's Technology Inc (WEST) of Corvallis, Oregon, was selected as the preferred contractor. While specific budget details are not fully disclosed, the Cost Sheet indicates pricing for a Trained Dog with Handler for 100 days, 7,000 miles of vehicle usage, and 100 days of per diem at the state rate. The contract appears to be a federally funded project, as evidenced by the attached Federal Terms for Contracts document, which outlines compliance requirements for federal grants and regulations.