B--WV-ESFO-BUMBLE BEE STUDY

S) code for this requirement is 541620 Environmental Consulting Services $16.50 Million. The object of this sole source award to Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc is for The rusty patched bumble bee was listed as an endangered species in 2017 due to an estimated 90% reduction in their historic range. Bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) conservation requires knowledge of nesting densities, but this aspect of their life history is poorly understood. The MN-WI Field Office (MN-WI FO) of USFWS secured funding to contract with the The Koch Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory to perform genotyping of bumble bees using DNA samples to reconstruct full-sibling relationships and estimate nest abundance with genetic capture-recapture models. The genetic data will also contribute data towards population health monitoring; genetic health of populations is a metric used to track progress towards long-term RPBB recovery goals. This specific project will support the fieldwork to locate and capture bumble bees, then collect non-lethal tarsal clip samples throughout the field season in 2027. Sampling will occur across the varying habitats used by the species in Appalachians, and will include samples from the American bumble bee (AMBB, B. pensylvanicus) to support a landscape-scale genetics study to estimate the nesting density of these two ecologically dissimilar species. Non-lethal DNA samples will also be collected from the common Eastern bumble bee (CEBB, B. impatiens), a widespread and common species found in the U.S. Samples will be collected in the eastern, high elevation forests of West Virginia and Virginia. This information will provide more accurate estimates of nest densities than those currently used in USFWS Section 7(a)(2) consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which are largely based off a closely related European species, B. terrestris (USFWS 2025). This synopsis does not constitute a solicitation; however, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities must be submitted in writing and must contain clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. If parties choose to respond, any cost associated with preparation and submission of data or any other cost incurred in response to this announcement are the sole responsibility of the respondent and will not be reimbursed by the Government. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: keith_rose@ios.doi.gov