Updated Abundance and Genetic Diversity of Black Bears in Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission intends to award a single source contract, solicitation number FWC SS 25/26-04, to Wildlife Genetics International for the genetic analysis of black bear hair samples in Florida. With a total fixed price of 300,000 dollars, the project focuses on genotyping microsatellite markers and sex-identifying markers to identify individual bears, measure genetic diversity, and detect immigration between subpopulations. The scope includes analyzing samples collected from 2025 to 2027 and comparing them against historical data from 2023 to 2024 to ensure longitudinal accuracy. This procurement is conducted as a non-competitive single source purchase pursuant to Florida Statute 287.057. The decision is based on the vendor's unique expertise and over 25 years of experience with Florida black bear populations, which is essential for maintaining data continuity. Because different laboratories use incompatible allele identification methods, Wildlife Genetics International is the only vendor capable of providing results compatible with the agency's existing datasets. The notice was posted on October 23, 2025, and any protests must be filed within 72 hours of that date.