Lake Washington Predator Removal

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is soliciting a sole source contract for Lake Washington predator removal services, targeting the suppression of non-native fish species to support salmon run rehabilitation. The contract, designated as #25-26419, requires a specialized contractor to remove northern pike minnow, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and American shad using traps, nets, and other capture methods from Lake Washington. Key deliverables include conducting fish removal operations, assessing the impact of reduced predator abundance on juvenile salmon survival, and evaluating recreational fishing rules implemented in 2020 within the Lake Washington basin. The contract period runs from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, with an interim report due to legislative committees by December 1, 2024. Vendors must submit capability statements by December 30, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. PST, with the contractor expected to have specialized expertise in capturing fish from large inland lakes. The primary evaluation criteria appear to focus on the contractor's unique capabilities, proven track record, and cost-effectiveness in fish removal operations.

The contract is a sole source procurement specifically awarded to Hickey Bros Research LLC, which was selected due to its unique specialization in large inland lake fish capture and successful completion of a 2023 pilot project. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the documentation. The total contract value is $250,000, drawn from a $700,000 Legislative Proviso allocated for the 2023-2025 biennium specifically targeting salmon run rehabilitation. Cost analysis demonstrated significant savings compared to using WDFW staff, with the contractor's fish removal costs substantially lower across target species (e.g., northern pike minnow at $152 versus $563 for agency staff). The contractor must maintain various insurance coverages, including Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000, and potentially Marine Insurance with Protection and Indemnity coverage of $1,000,000 if vessels are used. The contract includes potential for up to two extensions and is a continuation of the previous contract #24-23597.