IFB# 10207453 Zooplankton Identification Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Integrated Science & Engineering (DISE), in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 10207453 for zooplankton identification services. The procurement seeks a contractor to analyze preserved invertebrate and zooplankton samples collected from the Upper San Francisco Estuary, specifically targeting the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay. Required qualifications include a minimum of a Master's degree in biological sciences and at least five years of professional experience in zooplankton identification. Deliverables involve processing approximately 100 quality control samples and 150 standard samples annually, with precise identification and measurement protocols for various zooplankton and invertebrate taxa. The bid requires detailed submission of resumes, references, and demonstrated capability to process full taxonomy and quality control samples. Key deadlines include a bid due date of April 29, 2025, a bid opening on April 30, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date in July 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest responsible bid meeting the specified technical requirements.

The solicitation includes specific provisions for small business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation, with potential incentives for DVBE subcontractors. The contract appears to have potential preference for small businesses and DVBE participants during the bid evaluation process. While the exact contract value is not explicitly stated, the procurement will be based on per-sample rates with an annual processing requirement of 250 total samples. Bidders must demonstrate expertise in zooplankton identification, with a comprehensive understanding of taxonomic classification and quality control methodologies. The three-year contract duration suggests a robust and ongoing research partnership between the state agencies and the selected contractor. No specific incumbent vendors were mentioned in the solicitation documents. The contract will require integration with existing scientific research protocols and methodologies used by DWR and CDFW in their ecological monitoring efforts in the San Francisco Estuary region.