SHOREBIRD MONITORING

Sarasota County is requesting quotes from bidders to provide Shorebird Monitoring (Bird Monitor) in the vicinity of Turtle Beach. BackgroundIntroduction: The project area is located in the vicinity of Turtle Beach on the southern portion of Siesta Key. It extends from FDEP coastal range monument R-71 to R-77. The placement of beach repair sand was completed in June 2023. This Scope of Services fulfills the permit requirements for Years 1 and 2 of post-construction piping plover and red knot monitoring during the monitoring window of July 15, 2024, through May 15, 2025, and July 15. 2025, through May 15, 2026. The selected contractor, hereinafter referred to as Bird Monitor, must demonstrate their qualifications and ability to identify shorebird species and will provide piping plover and red knot monitoring services as contractor to Sarasota County Government (hereinafter County). An aerial image and copies of the project permits are attached.The following describes the services to be

provided by the Bird Monitor to complete Year 1 and Year 2 post-construction piping plover and red knot surveys: Task 1 – MobilizationPrior to initiation of the first survey, the County will meet with the Bird Monitor to review permit requirements and site conditions and assist with identifying potential piping plover and red knot habitat areas within or adjacent to the beach renourishment project.Task 2 – Year Piping Plover and Red Knot SurveysAs required by the Terms & Conditions of the Piping Plover Biological Opinion (BO) and the Red Knot BO, piping plover and red knot surveys are required:In year 1 (July 15, 2024, through May 15, 2025) bi-monthly (twice monthly). In year 2 (July 15, 2025, through May 15, 2026) bi-monthly (twice monthly). Under this Agreement, the post-construction piping plover and red knot surveys will be conducted by the Bird Monitor.The Bird Monitor will collect, map, and report: Date, location, time of day, weather, and tide cycle when survey was conducted.Latitude and longitude of observed piping plover and/or red knot locations (decimal degrees preferred).Any color bands observed on piping plovers and/or red knots.Behavior of piping plovers and/or red knots (e.g., foraging, roosting, preening, bathing, flying, aggression, walking).Landscape feature(s) where piping plovers and/or red knots are located (e.g., inlet spit, tidal creeks, shoals, lagoon shoreline).Habitat feature(s) used by piping plovers and/or red knots when observed (e.g., intertidal, fresh wrack, old wrack, dune, mid-beach, vegetation).Substrata used by piping plovers and/or red knots (e.g., sand, mud/sand, mud, algal mat).The amount and type of recrational use (e.g., people, dogs on or off leash, vehicles, kite-boarders) within the survey area.All other shorebirds/waterbirds seen within the survey area. Task 3 – Deliverables/ReportsAll information shall be provided in an Excel spreadsheet. Monitoring results shall be submitted (datasheets, maps, database):To the County within seven (7) days of each survey, and To the South Florida Ecological Services Office by July 31 of each year in which monitoring is completed. If no piping plovers and/or red knots are observed during surveys, the Bird Monitor will indicate this on the datasheets. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder providing the lowest total bid price. DO NOT submit a quote of more than $50,000. In the event no responsive and responsible quotes are received under the quote threshold, the County may elect to cancel this Quick Quote and re-solicit using another procurement method. TimelineBid Release Date:March 15, 2024Question Submission Deadline:March 29, 2024, 10:00amBid Submission Deadline:April 1, 2024, 2:30pm