RFQ # DFW-2025-081: Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle Monitoring, 2025 Season

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) is seeking a pre-approved vendor from the Master Service Agreement for Biological Surveys, Research, and Testing to conduct population surveys of the Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle on Martha's Vineyard during the 2025 season. The primary objective is to independently survey adult beetle populations on four approximately evenly spaced dates during peak activity, with specific requirements to document georeferenced beetle numbers, survey time, and potential habitat threats. Vendors must possess specialized expertise in tiger beetle surveying and habitat requirements and will be responsible for submitting a comprehensive report through NHESP's Heritage Hub Reporting System. Proposals are due by Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM and must be submitted through the Commonwealth's Online Procurement System (CommBuys). Evaluation criteria will focus on applicant experience, project implementation capacity, and ability to provide a detailed report. Required proposal components include a project summary, requested funding amount, personnel qualifications, project scope and methods, and an itemized budget. Interested parties can contact Karen M. Dolan (Finance & Projects Administrator) or Mike Nelson (Invertebrate Zoologist) for additional information.

The procurement appears to be open to pre-approved vendors within the existing Master Service Agreement, with no specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the documentation. The contract is specific to Dukes County, specifically targeting work on Martha's Vineyard. The total funding available for this project is up to $3,300.00, with only one proposal expected to be selected. The procurement requires use of the COMMBUYS system, which involves specific electronic submission protocols detailed in the attached job aid document. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly identified, the project demands highly specialized expertise in invertebrate ecology, particularly focused on the Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle. Vendors must demonstrate technical capability to conduct precise population surveys and georeference data, with a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and reporting standards. The relatively modest budget suggests this is a targeted, specialized research contract focused on ecological monitoring of a threatened species.