Reddish egret surveys in tampa BAY and florida BAY

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for comprehensive Reddish Egret Surveys in Tampa Bay and Florida Bay through Invitation to Bid (ITB) number FWC 25/26-07. The project requires a vendor to conduct detailed surveys of 26 high-priority colonies in Tampa Bay (covering Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties) and 22 high-priority colonies in Florida Bay (Monroe County). Vendor responsibilities include providing all necessary field and computer equipment, personnel, and transportation to perform surveys through direct count methods (boat or ground) or flight-line surveys. The surveys are to be conducted from December 2025 to April 2026, with comprehensive documentation required by June 10, 2026, including GPS coordinates, nest details, bird counts, and observational data. Bidders must submit two paper copies and two flash drive copies of their documentation. The bid is due by September 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, with an anticipated award date of September 16, 2025, and a contract term of one year. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

To be eligible, vendors must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to bid opening. The solicitation emphasizes diversity in procurement and requires compliance with various state and federal requirements, including E-Verify employment verification and minority business enterprise participation. Bidders must complete multiple attestation forms covering legal and ethical compliance aspects, including certifications related to labor practices, country of origin, and organizational transparency. While no specific budget amount is mentioned in the document, the project is funded through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Potential bidders should carefully review all documentation and ensure they meet the comprehensive set of requirements, which include providing detailed scientific survey data and adhering to strict documentation and reporting standards. The procurement process appears designed to encourage participation from diverse vendors while maintaining rigorous scientific and administrative standards for the ecological survey project.