R--US NATIVE TURTLES - HOUSING CARE TESTING

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This is a Sources Sought Notice only and it is not a solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of qualified, potential contractors and their socio-economic size classification in accordance with NAICS code 541940.

Responses will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After a review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice, a solicitation announcement may be posted. A response to this Sources Sought Notice is not an adequate reply to a potentially forthcoming solicitation.

The US Fish and Wildlife is seeking Veterinary Support Services for USFWS International Affairs¿s Division of International Conservation (hereafter, DIC) seeks to add capacity by contracting a technical specialist to assist in program evaluation activities. See below and attached

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

Provide necessary veterinary care, Housing, Care, Testing, Data Management for Confiscated U.S. Native Turtles to Support Repatriation.

The facility must be equipped to accommodate a range of terrestrial and aquatic turtle species. Priority species will include: Terrapene spp., Clemmys guttata, Glyptemys insculpta, Malaclemys terrapin, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, Kinosternon spp., Sternotherus spp, and other species. Species of low conservation concern that are commonly encountered in the domestic pet trade (e.g., Trachemys scripta, Graptemys pseudogeographica) are unlikely to be included in this project.
Facility Requirements
The contractor must operate a year-round facility equipped to house up to 500 confiscated native turtles and tortoises. The facility must meet or exceed Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) care standards. The facility should include:
-Climate control with backup systems.
-Secure, species-specific enclosures with proper space, retreat areas, enrichment, sanitation, veterinary care, and suitable habitat conditions (lighting, humidity, ventilation, temperature).
-Independent quarantine sections for new arrivals or animals with pathogens.
-Equipment and controls for safe brumation management.
-Turtle care area closed to the public.

See attached SOW for more information.

If your firm is able to provide the Support Services, please submit your interest along with your CAGE code and a short description of your experience and location to Robert_Sung@ios.doi.gov with "140F0S26Q0050" in the subject line