Wildlife Aerial Population Surveys, Captures and Collaring

The Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department request proposals from individuals or contractors who have proven experience using rotor-wing aircraft to conduct wildlife surveys, including but not limited to eagle nest surveys, winter big game population sightability surveys, aerial captures of wildlife species such as bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, wolves and bison. The Colville Tribes intends to award a firm, fixed price contract to furnish all labor, materials, equipment and expertise necessary to perform all operations required for the successful completion of the above named projects. This may be a multi-year contract (1-3 years) depending on available funding and performance.

The Wildlife Program requires the services of a licensed and experienced pilot for conducting wildlife surveys, primarily sightability surveys for estimating big game numbers on the Colville Reservation and a capture crew for aerial net gunning and/or darting of wildlife species to collect various biological samples and deploy GPS collars. The contract will include:

1. Up to 100 hours of aerial survey time, per diem for pilot and fuel truck driver for the number of days required to complete the survey, service truck mileage for up to 2,500 miles, and ferry costs for getting the helicopter to and from the project area.

2. Aerial capture and collaring of multiple species and individuals including but not limited to bighorn sheep, gray wolves, deer, elk, pronghorn and bison, per diem for pilot and capture crew for the number of days required to complete the captures, service truck mileage, and ferry costs for getting the helicopter to and from the project area.

The contract will cover the time period January 1, 2027 – August 31, 2030 as needed and depending on available funding. The project area encompasses all areas on the North Half and South Half of the Colville Reservation. Flights require an experienced pilot, familiar with the area, for low altitude maneuvering and equipment capable to conduct surveys and captures in a safe and effective manner. Staff from the Colville Tribes will be on board with the pilot to conduct the surveys. Pilots must have proven experience performing aerial surveys using flight protocol designed for elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep sightability models. Pilots and capture crew must have proven experience performing aerial wildlife captures and collaring. Pilots must be Part 135 certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for transport of personnel. Pilot and air craft must also be OAS carded and certified for low-level reconnaissance and survey, and mountain flying. Contracting requires being registered with the Colville Tribes as a Vendor

**Submission:** Proposals must be submitted no later than **3:00 p.m., PST, November 19, 2026**. For hard copy submissions, Contractors/Offerors must submit 1 original and 3 bound copies of the proposal no more than 30 pages long, single-spaced, in a font no smaller than 12 point. Proposals shall be submitted in a sealed envelope that has clear markings of the responding business name and address and clearly identifies the contents as CTCR F&W Aerial Survey Bid. Proposals may be sent by electronic mail, regular, or express mail (FedEx or UPS). Proposals must be directed to Attn: Corey Peone, Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 150/21 Colville St., Nespelem, WA 99155. Emailed proposals should be sent to corey.peone@colvilletribes.com.

A site visit is not required.

Any contract negotiated in response to this RFP will require either a 25% retainage or a performance bond. Any contract awarded with a value greater than $100,000 will require a performance bond.

Insurance:

• Commercial General Liability coverage with limits not less than $1,000.000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 annual aggregate.
• Stop Gap/Employers Liability coverage with limits not less than $ 1,000,000 per accident/disease.
• Business Automobile Liability coverage with limits not less than $1,000,000 per accident for any auto.
• Worker's Compensation coverage as required by the Industrial Insurance Laws of the State of Washington.

**Evaluation:** Maximum Points: (100). Criteria: responsiveness (0-15), time estimates (0-5), qualifications and experience of Offeror (0-20), size and structure of Contractor (0-5), experience advising clients (0-20), qualifications and experience of staff (0-10), Cost (0-10), TERO (0-15).