Snowy Plover Nest Protection and Monitoring (STWD)

The USDA Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest, plans to award a sole source firm fixed price contract to the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center (ORBIC) at Portland State University for the protection and monitoring of Western Snowy Plover nests. ORBIC is uniquely qualified for this work as the only entity in Oregon permitted under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act to handle Western Snowy Plovers and the only authorized Master Banders certified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to band these birds in accordance with the Migratory Bird Act. The contract will cover data collection consistent with historical standards dating back to 1990, focusing on monitoring activities along Siuslaw National Forest-managed beaches, with ORBIC providing weekly progress updates to the Forest Service. This contract is issued under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, recognizing that ORBIC is the only capable source to meet the agency’s requirements. The agreement ensures continuous and compliant monitoring of this endangered species, with ORBIC receiving guidance from the Forest Service on specific locations and timing of data collection. The contract is associated with solicitation number AG-04T0-S-17-0038 and managed by the Willamette National Forest office in Springfield, OR, with Paula S. Winningham serving as the contract specialist.