NC27-123 Wilson's Phalarope Conservation Agreement and Strategy Development

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, conducting through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, is requesting proposals for development of a Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Wilson's Phalarope within saline lake habitats, with proposals due November 6, 2026 under RFP NC27-123.

The scope requires development of a coordinated, science-based conservation framework focused on Wilson's Phalarope habitat within the western saline-lake network, with potential assessment of related species such as Eared Grebes. Key deliverables include a detailed project schedule, stakeholder coordination materials, draft and final Conservation Agreement and Strategy documents, and comprehensive compilation of existing research and monitoring data across multiple states. The contractor must perform project coordination, scientific information management, stakeholder engagement, and maintain regular communication with UDWR, PLPCO, and conservation partners through scheduled virtual and in-person meetings. Proposals are limited to 10 pages, excluding resumes and references.

Three mandatory pass/fail requirements filter eligibility: previous experience developing species conservation or recovery plans, conservation agreements, conservation strategies, habitat conservation plans, Species Status Assessments, or comparable conservation planning documents; experience working with multiple agencies, organizations, and stakeholders on complex natural resource conservation projects; and availability to complete the project within the 12-month contract period. Vendors must provide three client references and demonstrate experience with collaborative conservation planning and multi-state or multi-jurisdictional conservation issues.

The maximum budget is $75,000 for 12 months of work; the contract is issued for 18 months total to accommodate final invoicing, administrative closeout, and logistics. Vendor pricing must be guaranteed for the entire contract period and is not confidential. The evaluation allocates 850 technical points across five weighted criteria—Project Understanding and Project Approach (200 points, 23.5%), Experience and Ability of Consultant Staff (200 points, 23.5%), Relevant Experience (250 points, 29.4%), Schedule (150 points, 17.6%), and Location Accessibility (50 points, 5.9%)—plus 150 cost points. The minimum technical score threshold is 510 points; the highest-scoring responsive and responsible vendor receives award. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate is required.