B--Sources Sought - Pilot Project - Mexican Wolf Interactions
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), under the Department of the Interior, has issued a Sources Sought Notice for a Pilot Project on Mexican Wolf Interactions with livestock. This market research aims to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing scientific and technical consulting services to improve understanding and collaboration regarding wolf-livestock interactions in Arizona and New Mexico. The project will focus on GPS cluster investigations. Responses are due by February 27, 2026.
Scope of Work
This pilot project seeks to establish a framework and field methods for investigating Mexican wolf interactions with livestock, strengthening relationships with producers, and assessing feasibility for longer-term research. Key tasks include:
- Rancher Engagement: Identify study areas and engage 3-4 local ranchers to finalize field protocols.
- Field Investigations: Utilize GPS data and a Python script to identify wolf clusters and conduct field investigations (approx. 5 per day). Document carcass presence (livestock or native prey), with immediate notification to Wildlife Services and ranchers for livestock remains.
- Long-Term Study Development: Evaluate field efficiency and data utility to refine methods and develop a finalized study proposal.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research (for a potential future Firm Fixed Price Professional Services contract).
- Period of Performance: April 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Alpine, AZ, and field locations in Catron County, NM, and Apache/Greenlee Counties, AZ.
- NAICS: 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services ($19.0 Million size standard).
- Set-Aside: This notice is for market research to determine if the requirement will be set aside for small businesses under FAR Part 19.
- Response Due: February 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Standard Time.
- Published: February 23, 2026.
Capability Statement Requirements
Respondents must submit a capability statement addressing:
- Task Management: Experience managing similar projects, including stakeholder coordination.
- Key Personnel: Proposed Principal Investigator (PI) qualifications (PhD, publications, experience with livestock producers).
- Technical Skills: Specific skills (e.g., Python debugging, ArcGIS, telemetry, field investigations, data collection) with examples.
- Company Profile: SAM.gov UEI, company point of contact, phone, and email.
Special Requirements
The Principal Investigator must hold a PhD and have experience working with livestock producers on complex research topics. The contractor will need to provide computers with ArcGIS software, while the Government will supply telemetry equipment, a truck, and a Python script for cluster identification.
Submission Instructions
Capability statements must be submitted by email ONLY as an Adobe PDF attachment to Dana Arnold at dana_arnold@fws.gov.