R--Intent to sole source - Literature review

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region 7 in Alaska, plans to award a sole source, firm-fixed price contract to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) based in Bronx, New York. The contract involves conducting a comprehensive review of scientific literature and agency reports focused on waterbird and seabird entanglement in fishing nets. This effort specifically relates to the yellow-billed loon, an internationally recognized species of concern with a global population estimated between 16,650 and 21,000, of which 20-25 percent are seasonal residents in Alaska. In 2004, petitions from U.S. and Russian organizations called for the listing of the yellow-billed loon as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This review serves as the initial phase of a broader project between the USFWS and WCS, which will proceed further if additional funding is secured. The Wildlife Conservation Society will analyze available scientific and agency reports to identify key factors that contribute to waterbird and seabird entanglement in fishing nets, including aspects of net design, deployment, and fishery targets that increase risk, as well as avian ecological traits that heighten vulnerability. Additionally, WCS will compile a collection of mitigation strategies used in other contexts to reduce bycatch. The notice clarifies that this is not a solicitation for competitive proposals, and the government does not intend to accept submissions in response to this announcement. This contract supports conservation efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable seabird species and improving fishery practices.