J&A under 6.302-1 - To capture mountains lions for radio-collaring to assist with the Desert Bighorn Sheep Study on Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR).

Contract No: 84550A0276aTAS 14 5232 8803 United States Department of InteriorJustification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition Federal law (41 U.S.C. 253(c)(2) authorizes under certain conditions, including only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency needs, contracting without providing for full and open competition. Exceptions are also authorized to statutory requirements in the Small Business Act (15 U. S. C. 637(e) and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416), to provide public notice of contracting opportunities. Therefore,The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to award a contract to Brian Jensen Puma Capture, a small business in accordance with FAR 6.302-1; only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) has an unusual requirement for a contractor to capture mountain lions for radiocollaring to assist with the Desert Bighorn Sheep Study on the Refuge. DNWR encompasses more than 1.5 million acres and represents one of the largest intact blocks of habitat for desert bighorn sheep in the southwestern United States. In the late 1980s, bighorn sheep populations on the DNWR experienced a severe population decline, particularly in the Sheep Mountains. Historically, the Sheep Range contained the State of Nevada's and the DNWR's largest population. In 1985, a helicopter survey yielded a sample size of 436 adults, resulting in a population estimate of 1090 within the Sheep Range. After 1985, population numbers began to decline and by 1991 the population was estimated at 195 adults. The most recent estimate from surveys conducted in 2010 was 180 adults. Declines in bighorn sheep populations can be caused by a number of factors and their synergistic effects, including predation, disease, and changing habitat conditions. Actual causes of the decline in the Sheep Range are unknown. The Refuge has identified Brian Jensen Puma Capture as the entity with special skills required to capture mountain lions using snares, as will be required for this study. Mr. Jensen has captured and radiocollared mountain lions for 4 years. He has captured 14 lions in desert mountain habitats of Arizona similiar to the conditions to be encountered in this study. Also, he as captured 289 mountain lions in other places from Montana to the southern tip of South America. Brian has successfully captured mountain lions in every biome, where they occur from equatorial rainforest to high coniferous forest. He has used the specific drug combinations that we are using in this study and he has used numerous other combinations, providing a unique level of experience and flexibility. He has also conducted formal scientific research on mounatin lion survival, predation and disease, which will uniquely benefit ourproject through his secientific research perspective. Brian has also conducted 5 years of scientific research on desert bighorn sheep, which is a dominant aspect of this study. he is the only person with biological science degrees, scientific research experience with desert bighorn sheep and desert mountain lions, and vast capture experience with the foot-snares necessary to success in our study area. Brian has safely captured numerous mountain lions in the extreme conditions of southern Arizona and in the extremely cold winter environment of South Dakota and Chile, a necessary experience to safely capture animals in our study area. He is the only known source that can meet Agency requirements. Award amount: $34,000.00 Period of Performance: Project completion date is one year from date of award.Companies that believe they can offer this service must respond in writing by email to [email protected] by Friday, September 17, 2010.