B--NOI - Bird monitoring at Duck and Chisik islands

The U.S. Geological Survey intends to award a single-source contract to Fish Story LLC of Cordova, Alaska, for bird monitoring services on Chisik and Duck Islands in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, under a Notice of Intent that serves as non-competitive procurement justification. This action is governed under FAR Part 12 as a commercial item acquisition, with Fish Story LLC identified as the only entity capable of delivering continuous, on-site bird monitoring in these remote locations due to their specialized operational access and expertise. The work supports scientific efforts under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to study population trends and demographic changes among Common Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes impacted by marine environmental shifts and industrial activity. Key tasks include recapturing geolocator-tagged birds, deploying and retrieving nest cameras, monitoring breeding colonies across stages, compiling field data, and delivering a comprehensive summary report on the 2023–2026 survival study. The period of performance runs from June 15, 2026, through June 14, 2027, with all fieldwork performed exclusively at the island sites and no government-furnished resources provided. The solicitation is structured as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5, with NAICS code 541715 indicating the applicable size standard of 1,000 employees, and Fish Story LLC is presumed to meet small business eligibility criteria though explicit certification is not documented. No formal contract value is specified, and pricing details are absent as this is a pre-award notice. Responses must be submitted solely via electronic mail to Anthony_berry@ios.doi.gov by 8:00 a.m. PDT on May 22, 2026; hardcopy submissions will not be considered. While a Statement of Work is referenced, no formal evaluation factors, contract clauses, or inspection standards are detailed beyond adherence to FAR Part 12 and compliance with Migratory Bird Treaty Act protocols. The contractor assumes full responsibility for all logistics, travel, permits, lodging, and equipment required to execute the work. The award decision rests solely with the government, which retains discretion to determine whether responses from other potential offerors justify competition, though no further solicitation will be issued. The contracting office is located in Sacramento, California, with no designated COR, COTR, or PCO named, and the sole point of contact for inquiries is the email address provided.