V--Bighorn Sheep Monitoring and Aerial Capture

This is a notice of intent to award a Purchase Order, by means of Sole Source, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 for the following service: Vendor: LEADING EDGE AVIATION, LLC 406 BURRELL AVE., LEWISTON, ID 83501-4524 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are cooperating to monitor the status and movement of the federally endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis ssp. Nelsoni; bighorn sheep) in the Jacumba Wilderness from the 1-8 Island to the U.S./Mexico border, in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California. The proposed monitoring will provide data on the status and movement of bighorn sheep from the I-8 Island to the U.S./Mexico border and information to help us understand the interactions of the U.S bighorn sheep population in the study area with those in Mexico. The monitoring effort requires aerial capture of bighorn sheep, which will be accomplished using a helicopter and a qualified net-gun crew. One of the USFWS's obligations under this cooperative effort is to provide a contractor for aerial capture in 2013. We previously entered into a sole source contract for aerial capture with Leading Edge on August 22, 2012 (Order Number F12PX02503 Solicitation Number F12PS00757), which they successfully completed on November 1 and 2, 2012. The period of performance for the contract ends on September 30, 2013. However, the monitoring effort is anticipated to take place in late October to early November 2013, thus a new sole source contract is needed. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Leading Edge meets CDFW's qualifications for liability insurance coverage, helicopter flight equipment, and Federal certification. Leading Edge successfully completed the 2012 aerial capture working under CDFW's Federal Endangered Species Act lO(A)(1)(a) recovery permit. In addition, Leading Edge is knowledgeable of the project and the terrain found in the monitoring area and is experienced with the local population of bighorn sheep. Finally, Leading Edge is the only contractor with the above qualifications and certifications that we have identified to carry out helicopter net-gun captures for the study, and they are available to conduct the work in 2013 for $57,599.90.