RCW Cavity Tree Survey, Fort Bragg 2026

Auburn University, on behalf of the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) cavity tree survey services. The procurement seeks a qualified service provider to conduct comprehensive transect-based foot surveys across approximately 22,000 acres of forested training areas at Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, with a government option to expand coverage to 25,000 acres. Surveyors must identify and tag RCW cavity start trees and old-growth pine trees using specific methodologies, including transect spacing no wider than 200 feet apart, pink flagging for cavity trees, aluminum tags for old-growth pines, and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid coordinates recorded with accuracy within plus or minus three meters. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with work hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays and government facility closings. Monthly deliverables include maps, grid coordinates, tree stages, species identification, and bole damage assessment documentation submitted to Auburn University and the technical representative. Personnel must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from an accredited college, possess qualified RCW biologist credentials with a minimum of six months' experience surveying for RCW cavity and start trees in the Sandhills region and Longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem of North Carolina, be U.S. citizens legally authorized to work, and pass a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Level III background check with no felonies or more than two misdemeanors within the past five years. Proposals are evaluated 50 percent on pricing (lowest overall cost) and 50 percent on company history and past performance, including relevant experience, references, and qualifications of key personnel. Questions are due by February 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM CST, with proposals due by March 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM CST.

Auburn University is committed to supporting Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business (SB & SDB) participation and requires contractors to make every effort to subcontract with such entities, with reporting required throughout the contract duration. Bidders must certify compliance with Alabama state and local sales tax requirements, federal debarment regulations, and immigration laws, and must provide either an E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding if they have any office or employees in Alabama or a statement confirming no Alabama presence. All service providers must furnish personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, and supervision, while the government provides 500 numbered metal old-growth tree tags and road and paper maps of survey areas. Contractors must procure comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence), commercial automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), and commercial umbrella/excess liability, with Auburn University and the United States Army named as additional insureds. Pricing terms require all bids to be submitted as "F.O.B. Destination - Freight Prepaid and Allowed." No specific contract award value or budget range is detailed in the RFP documents.