V--Helicopter time for the capture of Bighorn Sheep

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 Game (CDFG) are cooperating in a study of the status and movement of the federally endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ssp. nelsoni; ''bighorn sheep") within the I-8 Island/Jacumba Wilderness area in San Diego and Imperial counties, California, south to the U.S./Mexico border. The proposed study 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 study will require helicopter net-gun capture of bighorn sheep. One of the USFWS 's obligations under this cooperative effort is to provide a contractor for helicopter net-gun capture in 2012. Leading Edge is currently the only contractor that meets CDFG's specifications for liability insurance coverage, helicopter flight equipment, and Federal certification. Leading Edge has demonstrated the ability to conduct the required study work by successfully and safely completing capture of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep in 2012 for the National Park Service and CDFG under CDFG's Federal Sierra Nevada Bighorn sheep Endangered Species Act 1 O(A)(1 )(a) recovery permit. 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 2012. The aerial capture portion of the project will occur between October1 and November 31, 2012 thru 2015 and will include; 1) aerial capture of bighorn sheep and 2) transporting the sheep to a temporary staging/processing station. The aerial capture portion of the project will include using a small helicopter with a contractor- supplied pilot and net gunner (capture crew) to fly each day, to designated search areas where bighorn sheep may be located and captured using a net gun. The capture crew will direct target sheep into a safe area where the sheep can be netted without harming the sheep either from the actual netting or accidental falls. Once secure, the sheep will be transported to a designated processing area located within In-Ko-Pah Gorge at Mountain Springs within the Interstate 8 Island (UTM location 11S 585015E 3616100 N) and areas within the Jacumba Mountains (Carrizo Gorge) (Figure 1). Traveling distances for captured sheep are not anticipated to be longer than approximately five miles each way. After processing the capture crew will return the sheep to its initial capture location, where the animal will be released. Contracting Office Address: Division of Contracting and General Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 911 NE 11th Ave Portland OR 97232