B--JOFOC D&F

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a 10-year sole-source Blanket Purchase Agreement to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to execute research and monitoring programs for the Arctic Goose Joint Venture (AGJV). This collaboration fulfills the mission of the AGJV by completing projects approved by its Technical Committee and Management Board, providing essential data for monitoring various goose species and populations. The resulting information enables the USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management and ECCC to set harvest regulations and inform management decisions required to meet legal mandates for the conservation of arctic-nesting geese.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is the sole entity capable of performing this work due to its unique regulatory authorizations under the Canada Wildlife Act and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The agency maintains the necessary agreements with indigenous communities and other governments, holds required permits for arctic research camps in sanctuary areas, and utilizes subsidized transportation through the Polar Continental Shelf Program. These operations fall under NAICS 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and PSC B516 for Special Studies/Analysis - Animal/Fisheries.

Identified under solicitation number 140F0S23R0010, this Justification and Approval notice was published on June 16, 2023. The contract administration is managed by Joni Dutcher, and the notice includes one attachment detailing the justification for the award. The specific work involves activities governed by Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations, Migratory Birds Sanctuary Regulations, and Wildlife Area Regulations.