IFB P2460014 Red Fox Scat Survey & Collection Project

Background
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing this contract to support its Wildlife Diversity Program, which focuses on conserving the state's biodiversity and recovering valuable species such as the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), a threatened species in California.

The goal of this contract is to conduct scat detection, survey, and collection services to gather data essential for the conservation efforts of the Sierra Nevada red fox.

Work Details
The Contractor will provide qualified dog handlers and specially trained scat detection dogs to assist CDFW in surveying for and collecting Sierra Nevada red fox scat. The services will be performed at various locations throughout California, particularly in areas identified by CDFW with known or likely presence of the species, including Lassen Peak region, Southern High Sierra south of Yosemite National Park, and Sonora Pass region.

In years 1 and 2 of the contract:
- Complete a minimum of seventy-six (76) survey days and no more than seventy-nine (79) survey days per season/year. A survey day is defined as one dog handler with one dog for a full workday (eight hours).

In year 3 of the contract:
- Complete a minimum of fifty (50) survey days and no more than fifty-three (53) survey days per season/year.

The Contractor will implement biologically sound approaches to aid in designing survey locations, collect scat samples using brown paper bags placed in labeled zipper storage bags provided by CDFW, and transfer all collected samples to CDFW staff at the surveying/collection sites promptly. The objective is to gather SNRF scat for DNA analyses that will help estimate distribution, minimum abundance, genetic diversity, and pedigree.

Period of Performance
The contract term begins upon approval by CDFW and extends through June 30, 2027.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed at various locations throughout California as designated by CDFW.