Red-cockaded woodpecker monitoring support, Fort Bragg, NC 2026

Auburn University, a state institution in Alabama, is issuing a Request for Proposal on behalf of the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, seeking a qualified service provider to deliver comprehensive Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) monitoring support for the period of April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The procurement requires intensive field monitoring and banding activities across 25 RCW clusters located in Hoke County, North Carolina, specifically within the Multi-Purpose Training Range (13 clusters) and the Infantry Platoon Battle Course (12 clusters). Deliverables include cavity tree updates, nest checks conducted on 7-11 day cycles, nestling and adult banding, fledgling identification, group composition documentation, and data management using government-furnished equipment and software. Operations must be conducted between 0500-2200 hours Monday through Sunday, excluding federal holidays. The lead personnel must possess a Master's or Doctorate degree in Biology, Wildlife, or Zoology with a minimum of 10 years' experience in RCW biology and research, along with all required permits including Federal Endangered Species Authorization, State Endangered Species Permit, Federal Bird Banding Lab Permit, and Auxiliary Marking Authorization. Proposals will be evaluated on a 50/50 basis between pricing and past performance/history, with evaluation of relevant experience, prior successful completion of similar activities, references, and key personnel qualifications. The Question and Answer deadline is February 27, 2025, at 4:45 PM CST, and proposals must be submitted by March 4, 2026, at 10:30 AM CST through Auburn University's Procurement and Business Services Sourcing Event Portal, with all proposals remaining valid for 90 days following submission.

Auburn University has established a commitment to utilizing Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business (SB & SDB) subcontractors when necessary, with required reporting throughout the contract duration. All bidders must certify compliance with Alabama sales tax registration requirements, federal debarment regulations, and immigration law compliance. The service provider must furnish all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, fuel, and materials except for government-furnished property, which includes one Panasonic Toughbook field computer with data collection software, RCW Standard Operating Procedures, Endangered Species Branch Incident Report templates, and updated cluster maps. Comprehensive insurance coverage is required, including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate), 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. Prior successful experience with Department of Army installations is considered most applicable, followed by Department of Defense non-Army installations, federal government departments outside DoD, state and local governments, and private entities in order of preference. No specific funding amount or budget range is provided in the RFP documents; however, bidders with legitimate award disputes may file a formal protest within five days of the university's notice of intent to award. Auburn University reserves the right to award in whole or in part, by line item, or make multiple awards at its sole discretion.