IFB P2460014 Red Fox Scat Survey & Collection Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) P2460014 for a Red Fox Scat Survey & Collection Project targeting the threatened Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator). The procurement seeks a contractor to conduct comprehensive scat detection and collection services across the Lassen Peak region and Sierra Nevada, utilizing specialized detection dogs and experienced handlers. Key deliverables include completing 60 survey days in each of the first two fiscal years and 30 survey days in the third year, with mandatory qualifications requiring at least two dog handlers possessing ten years of wildlife detection experience and specific expertise in Sierra Nevada red fox scat collection. Mandatory handler qualifications also include two handler-dog teams with five years of experience surveying for Sierra Nevada red fox in the Sierra Nevada region. The proposal submission deadline is March 28, 2025, with a proposed contract award date of April 8, 2025, and the contract period running from California Department of General Services approval through June 30, 2027, with a potential one-year extension. Bidders must provide comprehensive documentation, including references, certification forms, and proof of relevant experience, with strict prohibition on subcontracting.

The procurement includes small business preferences and potential Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentives, though DVBE participation is not mandatory for this contract. The maximum budget for the agreement is $128,000.00, with bidders required to submit unit rates for survey days. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation. The contract involves collecting scat samples using brown paper bags and transferring them to CDFW staff to support wildlife conservation efforts for the threatened Sierra Nevada red fox population. Jurisdictions involved span multiple California counties, including Lassen, Tuolumne, Plumas, Nevada, El Dorado, Mono, Alpine, Inyo, Modoc, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tulare, and several associated cities and census-designated places. The procurement is structured to directly support CDFW's Wildlife Diversity Program's conservation efforts, with a focus on precise, scientifically rigorous scat collection and genetic population studies.