RFP# C26554003 - Avian Predator Services (Oceano Dunes District-State Parks)

The Oceano Dunes District, State Parks located in San Luis Obispo County requests proposals from qualified firms to provide avian predator specialist services to trap and relocate problem avian predators for the management of Western Snowy Plover (WSP) and California Least Tern (CLT) at Oceana Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA). All work will support the ongoing management of WSP and CLT at ODSVRA during the 2027, 2028, and 2029 breeding seasons (approximately, March 20 to September 10). PROJECT SCOPE OVERVIEW (Please reference the RFP package for detailed purpose and description of services) Contractor will monitor avian predator activity, evaluate the threat of avian predators to nesting WSP and CLT, and determine which individual avian predators pose an unacceptable threat to the nesting success of WSP and CLT at ODSVRA. For all species deemed a threat to breeding WSP and CLT, contractor shall live trap, band, and relocate a sufficient distance away to lessen the chance they will return to the site. It is the contractor(s) responsibility to furnish all required tools, lure animals, traps, materials, smart phone and applications, labor, incidentals, and transportation to the nesting area. The primary nesting area at ODSVRA is approximately 400 acres, however the contractor will be responsible for monitoring predator activity and trapping in the approximately 5,000 acres managed by the State. In addition, and on a limited basis, the contractor may need to track avian problem predators and their nesting locations when trapping is not possible on-site. Work off-site may involve surveillance, tracking and trapping of problem predators in the immediate vicinity of ODSVRA as needed for project success. The contractor should expect to spend at least 30 hours per week monitoring avian predators at the site, including gulls within the nesting habitat. Contractor will work closely with ODSVRA staff, the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (USDA) contractors, and other ODSVRA contractors, including, coordinating and communicating all work activities, attend meetings regularly, at least once per month, assist with training of avian predator identification and biology, and prepare daily field notes and a year-end summary report. KEY ACTION DATES RFP Release: September 4, 2026, at 2:00pm Question Submittal Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2026, at 2:00pm Answers to Questions posted to RFP event: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, September 30, 2026 at 2:00pm Proposal Intent to Award Notice: Monday, October 7, 2026 Proposal Award: Monday, October 14, 2026 (Please note, no public opening of bids will occur. RFP ¿ secondary solicitations do not require public opening. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROPOSERS/FIRMS OVERVIEW (Please reference the RFP package for details related to minimum qualifications ) 1. Personnel assigned to this project must furnish the following permits or demonstrate progress towards obtaining them before March 1, 2027: - USFWS (Migratory Bird Treaty Office) federal depredation permit. - California state Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for relocation of species that are depredating other threatened and endangered species, and scientific collecting permit for each person on the project that refers to the MOU. - United States Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory federal marking and banding permit for relocated species. 2. Three (3) years of independent experience monitoring, identifying, trapping, banding, and relocating raptors and other avian predators for the purpose of managing a threatened or endangered species, and specific experience working with the following: northern harrier, peregrine falcon, loggerhead shrike, American kestrel, merlin, great horned owl, barn owl, gull species, corvid species such as raven and crow, red-tailed hawk, Cooper¿s hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk. 3. One (1) year of independent predator management experience for the purpose of protecting the WSP and CLT. 4. Three (3) years¿ experience preparing detailed biological reports. 5. Experience and proficiency in use and techniques of the following trapping devices: bal-chatri, noose jackets, mist nets, dho-gazza, bownets, Swedish goshawk, and noose carpets. 6. Access to transportation to nesting sites, 4x4 vehicle is highly advised. 7. Ability to be reached in an emergency within 1 hour and respond onsite within 24 hours of notice. 8. Experience working in teams, with governmental entities, and predator removal permit requirements. 9. Supply the Names, titles, addresses, and contact phone numbers for a minimum of three (3) firms that can attest to the skills and abilities of the proposing entity to conduct the work identified in this RFP. At least two (2) References will be contacted, and their responses will be considered in determining if firms and individuals meet the Minimum Qualifications in this RFP. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW (Please reference the RFP package for details related proposal requirements ) 1. Work Plan and Schedule Must include: - Developed work plan and schedule, which identifies each task and/or milestones to be accomplished to reach project objectives. - Discussion of activities to be conducted to achieve project objectives, including: - Methods to ensure personnel availability and timely response to emergencies, - Methods to ensure personnel access to necessary equipment and transportation, - Description of work plan and ability of contractor to be available for tracking predator activity, assisting in the lethal removal of predators, night surveys, and other tasks described in Purpose and Description of Services section of this RFP. - Description of staff levels, schedules, and primary responsibilities of on-site staff. 2. Project Personnel Details Must include: - Documentation supporting experience of project personnel - Proposers background, references, and in-house capacities. 3. Cost Detail Cost proposal must include the total cost of the project over project period, with a detailed breakdown showing how the costs were determined. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW (Complete instructions are included in RFP Package) Proposals must be complete and accurate and should provide straightforward and concise descriptions of the proposer's ability to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. All proposals must be submitted electronically via email as an attachment in Portable Document Format (PDF) to od.billing@parks.ca.gov by dates and times shown in Proposal Requirements and Information and the Key Action Dates. Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered. All proposals must include the documents identi¿ed in the Proposal Documents. Proposals not including the proper ¿required attachments" shall be deemed non- responsive. A non-responsive proposal is one that does not meet the basic proposal requirements. The bidder¿s checklist includes a list of documents for submission. Note: The Disabled Veteran business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement is waived for this solicitation. However, the Small Business (SB) and DVBE incentive still applies. Details are included in the RFP package. PROPOSAL EVALUATIONS Award, if made, will be to the highest scored responsible proposal. The proposals that meet the minimum quali¿cations will be evaluated and scored according to criteria listed on the evaluation and reference forms (located within the RFP package) . A minimum of (70) points must be achieved in this phase to be considered responsive, out of (100). Up to (40) points awarded for proposal quality and workplan; Up to (30) points awarded for experience and technical merit, and up to (30) points for total cost. Additional details and sample evaluation tools that will be used for scoring proposals and references, are included in the RFQ package. RFQ QUESTIONS Questions regarding the RFQ should be emailed to OD.Billing@parks.ca.gov, by September 21, 2026. Answers to questions received will be posted publicly to this event posting by September 23, 2026.0