B--Technical and Logistical Support Services for Avian Monitoring for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Montana Ecological Services Field Office

Quick Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Montana Ecological Services Field Office, is soliciting proposals for Technical and Logistical Support Services for Avian Monitoring. This UNRESTRICTED opportunity aims to evaluate avian population dynamics, health, and contaminant exposure to support restoration planning and ecological risk assessments. Proposals are due March 17, 2026, by 0800 ED Local Time.

Scope of Work

The contractor will provide comprehensive support for avian monitoring, including:

• Establishing and maintaining avian monitoring sites, including nest-box colonies.
• Collecting and analyzing standardized population, demographic, and health metrics.
• Collecting, archiving, and analyzing tissue samples for contaminant exposure (metals, PFAS, pesticides).
• Assessing avian movement ecology (foraging home range, site fidelity, dispersal, migration).
• Evaluating avian diet and trophic ecology using stable isotope analysis and DNA metabarcoding.
• Providing annual data summaries, contributing to reports/manuscripts, and assisting with outreach.
• Performing contaminant analyses, biomarker/health parameter analyses, and dietary/trophic ecology analyses.
• Maintaining chain-of-custody and data management protocols.
• Conducting integrative analyses linking movement, diet, health, and contaminant data.
• Developing spatial/statistical models and delivering annual electronic datasets with QA/QC documentation.
• Coordinating with FWS Project Manager and Trustee partners.

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price
• Period of Performance: One base year (2026-2027) with four one-year optional periods (2027-2031).
• Set-Aside: UNRESTRICTED
• NAICS: 813312 (Environmental Studies And Assessments) with a size standard of $19.5 million.

Submission & Evaluation

• Solicitation Issue Date: February 17, 2026
• Offer Due Date: March 17, 2026, 0800 ED Local Time.
• Quotations must be submitted in two parts:
  • Non-Price Section (max 30 pages): Address Technical, Past Performance, and Small Business Utilization/Subcontracting Plan.
  • Price Section: Include a completed price schedule and applicable representations, certifications, and other statements.
• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Past Performance, Small Business Utilization/Subcontracting Plan, and Price. The non-price factors combined are more important than Price. Electronic quotations are preferred.

Contact Information

• Contracting POC: Joni Dutcher (joni_dutcher@fws.gov, 571-447-8387)
• Technical POC: Brian Balmer
• Alternate POC: Erik Simonyak
• Questions must be submitted in writing via email by 3 days prior to the closing date.