IFB P2460014 Red Fox Scat Survey & Collection Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB P2460014) for a Red Fox Scat Survey & Collection Project targeting the threatened Sierra Nevada red fox. This procurement seeks a specialized contractor to conduct comprehensive scat detection and collection services across two primary study areas: Lassen Peak and Sierra Nevada. The project will span three fiscal years (2024/25 through 2026/27), with specific survey requirements including 60 survey days in each of the first two years and 30 survey days in the third year. Bidders must provide two dog handlers with a minimum of 10 years of wildlife detection experience and two handler-dog teams with at least 5 years of specific experience surveying Sierra Nevada red fox scat. The primary objectives include determining the species' distribution, minimum abundance, and genetic diversity to support conservation efforts. The bid is due on April 25, 2025, with a proposed contract award date of May 7, 2025, and a contract term running through June 30, 2027, with potential for a one-year extension.

The solicitation includes provisions for small business preferences and potential Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentives, though DVBE participation requirements have been waived for this specific contract. Subcontracting is strictly prohibited, mandating that all work be performed directly by the bidder. The maximum budget for the agreement is $128,000.00, with bidders required to submit unit rates for survey days. The contract will cover multiple California jurisdictions, including Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Los Angeles, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties. The contractor must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation, with the State of California named as an additional insured. The project aims to support CDFW's Wildlife Diversity Program in conserving and understanding the threatened Sierra Nevada red fox population through detailed genetic and distribution research.