--Educational and Outreach Program "Be Sea Otter Savvy"

The contract entails a sole source purchase order awarded to Gena Bentall by the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office to address urgent issues related to sea otter disturbance and harassment. Gena Bentall has been identified as the only contractor possessing the unique combination of education, experience, professional contacts, and familiarity with the program concept necessary to begin the implementation of the "Be Sea Otter Savvy" educational and outreach program immediately. This direct award bypasses typical competitive solicitation due to the specialized nature of the work and the lack of other qualified candidates. Interested parties who believe they may qualify for future related orders are encouraged to submit capability statements for consideration. The initiative falls under the NAICS code 611710 and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, with contracting oversight by Lorrie Gleghorn and program coordination by Lilian Carswell, the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Marine Conservation Coordinator located at the Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz, California. The contract was posted on August 5, 2015, reflecting a targeted and focused effort to safeguard sea otters through education and outreach activities. The contract facilitates rapid response to conservation needs leveraging specialized expertise to reduce disturbances and promote the recovery of sea otter populations.