Florida Panther & Bobcat Capture and Management Services

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive proposals for Florida Panther & Bobcat Capture and Management Services, specifically targeting the Lee County jurisdiction. This procurement is a Request for Proposals (RFP) designed to secure a contractor with specialized expertise in locating, live capturing, handling, and managing Florida panthers and bobcats for research and public safety purposes. The ideal contractor must possess trained hounds and personnel capable of safely trailing and capturing these wild felines. The contract will be for an initial one-year term with potential for up to three additional one-year renewals. Key deliverables include providing skilled personnel, appropriate equipment, and demonstrable experience in wildlife capture techniques. Evaluation criteria will focus on the contractor's expertise, hound resources, and total contract pricing. Critical dates for this procurement include a proposal due date of November 1, 2024, with an anticipated contract award on December 9, 2024.

The RFP encourages participation from certified minority-owned, woman-owned, and service-disabled veteran business enterprises, promoting diversity in contractor selection. Prospective bidders must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with Sunbiz prior to bid submission. Contractors will be required to maintain appropriate insurance coverage and comply with all state and federal regulations governing wildlife management. While specific budget ranges were not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, the contract will involve comprehensive compensation for capture services, equipment usage, and personnel deployment. Successful contractors must demonstrate robust capabilities in wildlife handling, possess appropriate tracking and capture equipment, and show a proven track record of safe and effective animal management. The procurement process emphasizes technical competence, safety protocols, and the ability to successfully execute complex wildlife capture operations in collaboration with FWC researchers and wildlife management professionals.