Northern Spotted Owl Survey - Elliott State Research Forest

Northern Spotted Owl Survey - Elliott State Research Forest

Spotted Owl Survey for the Elliott State Research Forest

Spotted Owl Survey - Elliott State Research Forest

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STATE OF OREGON

COVER PAGE
Department of State Lands
Is issuing this Request For Proposals (RFP) under OregonBuys Bid
Number S-14100-00015610
ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST NORTHERN SPOTTED
OWL SURVEY
Date of Issue: December 19, 2025
Opening Date and Time: January 7th, 2026, 2PM PST
Single Point of Contact (SPC): Michelle Johnson, Contracts Officer
Address: 775 Summer St. NE, Suite 100
City, State, Zip Salem, Oregon 97301
Phone (voice) 503-798-7975
E-mail: Michelle.j.johnson@dsl.oregon.gov
The State of Oregon promotes equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color,
disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation,
or veteran status.

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LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT A SAMPLE CONTRACT
ATTACHMENT C PROPOSER INFORMATION AND CERTIFICATION SHEET
ATTACHMENT D REFERENCES FORM
ATTACHMENT E PRICE PROPOSAL FORM
ATTACHMENT F COBID CERTIFICATION / OUTREACH PLAN
ATTACHMENT G RESONSIBILITY INQUIRY
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The State of Oregon, acting by and through the Department of State Lands (DSL) (“Agency”), is
issuing this Request for Proposal under the provisions of ORS 279B.060 for Services to survey
the Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) for the current population of the northern spotted owl.
DSL is required to meet commitments in the habitat conservation plan (HCP) which mandates
annually monitoring the northern spotted owl (NSO, Strix occidentalis caurina) population and
management of barred owls (Strix varia) within the permit boundary of the Elliott State
Research Forest.
Determination of the spotted owl population and locations of occupancy of both of these Strix
owl species and any hybrids within the forest is necessary to establish a baseline status of these
two species prior to the implementation of barred owl management or forestry and restoration
activities during the 80-year permit period.
To this intent, density surveys for NSO will be conducted across the entirety of the ESRF for an
initial two years. Thereafter, to meet specified survey obligations outlined in the HCP, at least
one third of the habitat on the ESRF and one third of the designated 22 historic NSO sites will be
monitored annually. It is anticipated that full density surveys covering the entirety of the ESRF
will be conducted again in years 14 and 15 of the implementation of a barred owl management
plan to determine status and effectiveness for adaptive management implications.
Additional details on the Scope of services are included in the Scope of Work/Specifications
section.
Agency anticipates the award of one Contract from this RFP.
The initial term of the Contract is anticipated to be 1 year with the option to renew up to a
cumulative maximum of 10 years.

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1.2 SCHEDULE
The table below represents a tentative schedule of events. All times are listed in Pacific Time.
All dates listed are subject to change. N/A denotes that event is not applicable to this RFP.
Event Date Time
Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference NA NA
Questions / Requests for Clarification Due 12/29/2025 10:00AM
Answers to Questions / Requests for Clarification
Issued (approx.) 12/30/2025
RFP Protest Period Ends
7 calendar days prior to RFP Opening
Opening (Proposal Due) January 7th, 2026
Presentations, Demonstrations, or Interviews TBD
Issuance of Notice of Intent to Award (approx.) January 26, 2026
Award Protest Period Ends 7 calendar days after Notice of Intent
to Award
1.3 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPC)
The SPC for this RFP is identified on the Cover Page, along with the SPC’s contact information.
Proposer shall direct all communications related to any provision of the RFP only to the SPC,
whether about the technical requirements of the RFP, contractual requirements, the RFP
process, or any other provision.
SECTION 2: AUTHORITY , OVERVIEW, AND SCOPE
2.1 AUTHORITY AND METHOD
Agency is issuing this RFP pursuant to its authority under ORS 279A.050 and OAR 125-246-
0170(2).
Agency is using the Competitive Sealed Proposal method, pursuant to ORS 279B.060 and OAR
125-247-0260. Agency may use a combination of the methods for Competitive Sealed
Proposals, including optional procedures: a) Competitive Range; b) Discussions and Revised
Proposals; c) Revised Rounds of Negotiations; d) Negotiations; e) Best and Final Offers.
2.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the purposes of this RFP, capitalized words are defined in OAR 125-246-0110 or as defined
below.
List of specific definitions, not found in OAR 125-246-0110.
DSL Oregon Department of State Lands
ESA Endangered Species Act

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ESRF Elliott State Research Forest
HCP Habitat Conservation Plan
ODFW Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2.3 OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
2.3.1 Agency Overview and Background
Oregon Department of State Lands is the State Land Board's administrative agency managing
lands to benefit schools, protect waters and wetlands, and oversee the South Slough National
Estuarine Research Reserve and the Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF).
The 83,000-acre ESRF is Oregon's first state research forest and is envisioned to become an
enduring, publicly owned, world-class research forest that advances and supports all aspects of
forestry, including forest health, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, recovery
of imperiled species, timber and other forest products, water quality and quantity, recreational
opportunities and local economies.
DSL is required to meet commitments in the habitat conservation plan (HCP), which mandates
annual monitoring of the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) population and
management of barred owls (Strix varia) within the permit boundary of the ESRF.
Determination of the spotted owl population and locations of occupancy of both Strix owl
species and any hybrids within the forest is necessary to establish a baseline status of these two
species prior to the implementation of barred owl management or forestry and restoration
activities during the 80-year permit period.
The HCP for the ESRF requires monitoring of a minimum area (1/3rd) of the forest
annually for northern spotted owls as well as one third of the designated 22 historic
NSO sites. In addition to that monitoring effort, barred owl management will be
conducted for a minimum of 15 years, after which effectiveness of the program upon
the population of NSO will be assessed. This anticipated contract will perform the
density survey of the entirety of the spotted owl habitat within the 83,000-acre ESRF
for use as a baseline comparison to what is found after the required period of the
barred owl management program. If funding allows continued annual monitoring of
any additional known or suspected occupied sites will be conducted and results
provided within the annual reports.


Benchmarks that are included with the anticipated contract will be provided by
biweekly survey plans, monthly status updates and data submissions with invoices for
payment as well as end of season report and submission of all original data. Repetitive
purchase could include the second year of density surveys and thereafter surveying of
approximately one third of the forest until years 14 and 15, when full density surveys
would be resumed for those two years prior to the 15-year report. After which surveys
would resume coverage of approximately one third of the ESRF annually for the
duration of the 80-year permit (HCP).

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The USFWS is currently working on finalizing a protocol using passive listening devices
called autonomous recording units (ARUs). Once that protocol is released and can be
utilized, it will likely become the preferable method for surveying NSO and the ESRF
will embrace that protocol and the technologies to implement ARU monitoring and data
analysis.
SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS
Surveys to determine the current population of NSO within the ESRF, which was last surveyed
in 2016.
Survey areas, stations and surveys are defined in the USFWS 2012 protocol. The work will
entail establishing approximately 665 survey stations, of which approximately 20% are
daytime stations requiring hiking to access survey points. Each station will be scheduled to
receive six (6) survey visits unless occupancy and nesting/reproductive status are
determined sooner and further survey efforts are deemed unnecessary. Additionally, there
are a minimum of 22 daytime site visits to activity centers for known designated NSO sites,
which may be increased up to 53 to include alternative site centers and additional historic
sites. Site visits include daytime follow-up visits for known owl activity centers as well as
follow-up visits resulting from nighttime detections of previously unknown owls.
Therefore, actual daytime visits may vary, depending on the number of nighttime
observations, as well as the current occupancy at known NSO sites. Any barred owls
encountered during survey efforts will be recorded in the same manner as spotted owl
responses, including a response data form and responses depicted upon maps.
The number of survey areas (compartments), stations, survey station visits and daytime site
visits are estimates and are subject to revision due to changes in protocol, timber sale planning
and field review of designated stands. More accurate survey workloads will be available prior to
the survey season; however, the Contractor should be prepared for fluctuations of +/-20% from
these estimates. Site visits include daytime visits for known owl activity centers as well as
follow-up visits resulting from nighttime observations of previously unknown owls. Therefore,
actual daytime visits may vary, depending on the number of nighttime observations, as well as
the current occupancy at known NSO sites.

PROJECT DETAILS

Work includes establishing survey stations with location data provided by DSL. Survey
stations shall be flagged in the field using ESRF specified colors and reflective tape and
plotted on base maps, according to the following specifications:
• Survey station location maps will be generated by the Contractor and provided
at a scale that clearly shows station locations within ESRF boundary.
• The ESRF boundary and survey routes may be divided among more than one
map.
• If necessary, base maps or GIS data for this portion of the mapping package will
be provided by DSL and will include the following data, as a minimum: roads,
streams, DSL ownership, public land survey, timber sale units, density
compartment areas, and (if available) topographic background.
• The Contractor will place the survey stations on these maps and label the
stations with the station number. If the station is a previously established

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station, the same station number will be used. For newly established stations,
the Contractor must contact the ESRF’s Forest Biologist to obtain new station
numbers, to avoid using any previously established number.
• These maps will be used to document survey coverage.

To be complete, every survey will include all night and any day hike-in visits to each of
the individual survey stations, unless a station is dropped or relocated to a different
position with the consent of the ESRF’s Forest Biologist. Daytime site visits of activity
centers and follow-up of nighttime detections will occur concurrently with the
corresponding site or survey route. Determination of nesting status and band
identification of previously banded individuals will be prioritized when NSO are
encountered. Efforts to determine nest tree locations for nesting or suspected nesting
NSO will be described and documented in detail and relayed to Forest Biologist as soon
as feasible.

For each spotted or barred owl response, the Contractor will attach a map to the
response data card. These maps must measure 8.5” by 11” and be based on USGS 7.5
minute quadrangles or other topology GIS layer provided by DSL. These maps must be
created using topographic hillshades provided by DSL, at 1:24,000 scale. For responses
obtained from nighttime survey stations, the map shall indicate the station(s) from
which bearings were obtained, thin solid lines indicating the bearings, an appropriate
symbol indicating the position of the owl(s). Movement of the owl(s) must be shown on
the map by indicating the original position of the owl, a dashed line with an arrow
indicating the direction of movement, and final position of the owl. For daytime follow-
up responses where a walk-in method was used, the maps must show the initial
location where the owl(s) were located visually or acoustically, and any significant
movement of the owl(s) during the follow-up, using the same method as for nighttime
surveys. The map must have a legend indicating the following:

• Response within ESRF boundary.
• Name of density compartment being surveyed.
• Official NSO site name (when applicable).
• The Public Land Survey (PLS) description of the response to the quarter of the
quarter section.
• The Oregon Lambert Mercator (OLM) Coordinates of the response.
• The date of the response.
• Time of the response, using 24-hour clock.
• The species of the owl, unknown species of Strix are recorded as STXX.
• The sex of the owl: pair (as defined by protocol), male, female, unknown sex,
juvenile.
• The type of response: audio, visual, sign or none.

Daytime follow-up surveys with no response must show stations called (labeled with
the station number) and any walking routes surveyed. Nighttime surveys of known
sites or compartments (routes) with no response do not need a map but must have a
data form indicating no response was obtained from the survey and must list all the
stations surveyed and include times which they were called.

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For each owl site or survey route where Strix owl responses are obtained, Contractor
shall create an overview map which shows all the responses associated with the site or
compartment for the survey season. This map must show the locations of all the
responses (using the appropriate symbol below), labeled with the date. For responses
that occur in the same locations on multiple dates (e.g. around a nest tree), the initial
response’s symbol must be used, with the additional dates and text description listed
under the initial response date, in chronological order . These maps must also show the
corresponding NSO circle (if any) drawn to the provincial home range radius (1.5
miles), based on the established activity center. Contractor may create these maps
using USGS quadrangle photocopies or produce them from digital imagery that
replicates those quadrangles (such as the Digital Raster Graphics available from USGS),
or other topographic imagery supplied by DSL, at 1:24,000 scale.
S
AMPLE SCHEDULE
• Pr
e-season coordination meeting prior to March
• Daily if NSO detected or nesting suspected/determined, prior to follow-up visits
• Biweekly calendar of upcoming survey schedule, progress report of completed
survey efforts, including any Strix owl detections
• Monthly progress report, draft data and GPS track logs for invoicing
• End of season data transfer and reporting prior to December
SECTION 3: PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS
3.1 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Provide a list of all personnel that will provide work on this project including project
manager and/or field coordinator, crew leader(s), and any personnel that will provide
surveyor training, quality control and logistical support.
The crew leader and field surveyors m
ust be trained for northern spotted owl surveying,
have color vision and have good hearing. The American Medical Association and OSHA
define good hearing as 0 to 25 dB in both ears. This means that at all frequencies within
the normal range of human hearing, an individual’s hearing thresholds should be 25 dB or
less.
Field surveyors with previous spotted owl surveying experience are preferred. Field
surveyors must have the basic forest skills and fitness necessary to navigate forest roads
and rugged terrain safely. Personnel training must emphasize forest orienteering and
safety.
The Proposer must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide sufficient personnel to complete
the work detailed in the scope of work, between March 1, 2026, and September
30, 2026.
To be considered for evaluation, Proposal must demonstrate how Proposer meets all requirements

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of this section:
Key Person Requirements

1. Field coordinator – Proposer shall provide a project level field coordinator that must
have experience in coordinating at least four (4) spotted owl survey projects of similar
size and scope to the proposed work in this RFP with at least five (5) subordinate
employees and a four-year college degree.
2. Crew Leader – Proposer shall provide a crew leader that must be dedicated to the
ESRF and has experience in coordinating at least one spotted owl survey project and a
four-year college degree. Three additional years of biological survey experience can be
used in lieu of the four-year degree requirement.
3. Field Surveyors – Proposer shall provide as many field surveyors as necessary to
cover all survey areas. When last surveyed, a total of five (5) field-going staff were
necessary to complete survey efforts across the entirety of the ESRF. Field surveyors
must have a four-year college degree or be working towards a four-year college degree.
One season of spotted owl survey experience can be used in lieu of the four-year degree
requirement.

Successful Proposer’s personnel performing work under this Contract must be pre-
authorized to do so by the DSL contract administrator. The parties acknowledge and
agree that personal and professional integrity and ability on the part of the Contractor
and Contractor’s employees is crucial to the successful performance of work under any
resulting contract. Also, the intrinsic quality of the data to be provided under the
contract is of great enough importance for its application and use by DSL that the
Agency reserves the right to withhold granting of the authorization, or subsequently
revoke the authorization, of any Contractor or subcontractor personnel performing
work if any of the following conditions is true:

i. The person does not meet or exceed the minimum requirements for abilities,
education, and experience outlined above.
ii. The person makes repeated inaccurate station placements or owl
misidentifications; or
iii. The person violates the laws or regulations pertinent to federal, state, or local
jurisdictions while performing work on State property;
iv. The person is found to have made false statements including falsifying any survey
data.
3.2 MINIMUM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
3.2.1 Proposal Submissions
To be considered for evaluation, Proposal must contain each of the following elements
(further detailed in Proposal Requirements section below):
• Administrative Proposal
• Technical Proposal
• Proposer Information and Certification Sheet (Attachment C)
• Reference Check Form (Attachment D)

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• Price Proposal (Attachment E)
• COBID Certification / Outreach Plan (Attachment F)
• Resumes for key personnel
3.2.2 Proposal Page Limits
Proposal is limited to 25 pages. Any pages exceeding this limit will not be provided to the
evaluation committee or considered in the evaluation. The following items do not count
toward the page limit:
• Proposer Information and Certification Sheet (Attachment C)
• Reference Check forms
• Price Proposal
• COBID Certification / Outreach Plan (Attachment F)
• Responsibility Inquiry (Attachment G) WILL BE REQUIRED upon Intent to award.
• Resumes
3.2.3 Proposal Format and Quantity
Proposal should follow the format and reference the sections listed in the Proposal
Requirements section. Responses to each section and subsection should be labeled to
indicate the item being addressed.
Proposer must submit its Proposal by email to the SPC listed on page one.
The Price Proposal must be submitted as a separate document.
Proposer shall submit one copy of its Proposal and all other submittal
requirements, with Attachment C - Proposer Information and Certification Sheet
bearing the Proposer’s authorized representative’s Signature, in one of the
following formats: Adobe Acrobat (pdf), Microsoft Word (docx), or Microsoft Excel
(xlsx). If Proposer believes any of its Proposal is exempt from disclosure under
Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.311 through 192.478), Proposer shall
complete and submit the Disclosure Exemption Affidavit (Attachment B) and will
need to be requested to SPC. Proposer shall also mark as “Confidential” in
OregonBuys all attachments to its Proposal that Proposer believes are exempt from
disclosure
The Proposer Information and Certification Sheet (Attachment C) must bear the
Proposer’s authorized representative’s Signature.
3.2.4 Authorized Representative
Failure of Proposer’s authorized representative to sign the Proposal may result in rejection
of the Proposal by Agency.
3.3 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposal must address each of the items listed in this section and all other requirements set
forth in this RFP. Proposer shall describe the Services to be performed. A Proposal that merely
offers to provide the goods or services as stated in this RFP may be considered non-Responsive

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to this RFP and will not be considered further.
Proposal should not include extensive artwork, unusual printing or other materials not essential
to the utility and clarity of the Proposal. Do not include marketing or advertising material in the
Proposal, unless requested. Proposal should be straightforward and address the requests of the
RFP. Proposal containing unsolicited marketing or advertising material may receive a lower
evaluation score if required information is difficult to locate.
3.3.1 Proposer Information and Certification Sheet
Proposer shall complete and submit the Proposer Information and Certification Sheet
(Attachment C).
Failure to demonstrate compliance with Oregon Tax Laws and sign the Proposer
Information and Certification Sheet may result in a finding of non-Responsibility.
3.3.2 References
Provide 2 references (Attachment D) from current or former client firms for similar projects
performed. References must be able to verify the quality of previous related work.
Agency may check to determine if references provided support Proposer’s ability to comply
with the requirements of this RFP. Agency may use references to obtain additional
information, or verify any information needed. Agency may contact any reference
(submitted or not) to verify Proposer’s qualifications.
3.3.3 Price Proposal
For each activity described in the Scope of Work, the Price Proposal must include identifiable
costs, time estimates for completing each activity, and a summary of all proposed costs,

• Submit fully loaded cost for Project Manager hourly rate (scoring criteria)

• Provide additional separate line items for personnel, travel, supplies, other costs, and
administrative and overhead charges; and

• Fixed Price with Deliverable Payments.

• For all fully loaded personnel costs, the Price Proposal must include the name and title of
all positions for each individual staff person who will perform the Work, and list the
salary/wage and fringe rate separately for each such individual.

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Item Description
Unit of
Measure
Price
Activity Center Search Each
Calling Station Visit (6 visit
survey) Each
Daytime Follow-up Visit Each
Walk-in Surcharge (each mile
one way after 0.5 mile) Each
Annual Summary Report Each
Data Entry for Spotted Owl Visit
form Each
ARU Deployment 6-week period
– DSL provided equipment. Each
ARU Deployment 6-week period
– Contractor provided
equipment. Each
ARU Data Processing per 6-
week dataset of audio files. Each
3.2
.4 Resumes
Specify key persons to be assigned to this project consistent with Minimum Qualifications
and Key Person Requirements descriptions set forth above, and include a current resume
(not to exceed two pages each) for each key person that demonstrates the person’s
qualifications and experience for the Work described in this RFP.
3.3.5 Project Implementation Plan
Briefly describe how you would carry out the major activities of this project in context with
the Scope of Work. Provide a plan that you intend to follow. Illustrate how the plan will
serve to coordinate and accomplish the Work.
SECTION 4: SOLICIT ATION PROCESS
4.1PUBLIC NOTICE
The RFP and attachments are published in the State of Oregon’s electronic procurement system
OregonBuys at https://oregonbuys.gov/. Documents will not be mailed to prospective
Proposers.
Modifications, if any, to this RFP will be made by written Amendment(s) published in
OregonBuys. Prospective Proposer is solely responsible for checking OregonBuys to determine
whether or not any Amendment(s) have been issued. Amendment(s) are incorporated into the
RFP by this reference.
4.2 PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE
A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held for this solicitation.

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4.3 QUESTIONS / REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS
All inquiries, whether relating to the RFP process, administration, deadline or method of award,
or to the intent or technical aspects of the RFP must:
• Be delivered to the SPC via an email, ;
• Reference the OregonBuys bid number ;
• Identify Proposer’s name and contact information;
• Refer to the specific area of the RFP being questioned (i.e. page, section and paragraph
number); and
Be received by the due date and time for Questions/Requests for Clarification identified in
the Schedule.
4.4 SOLICITATION PROTESTS
4.4.1 Protests to RFP
Prospective Proposer may submit a Written protest of anything contained in this RFP,
including but not limited to, the RFP process, Specifications, Scope of Work, and the Sample
Contract. This is prospective Proposer’s only opportunity to protest the provisions of the
RFP, except that Proposer may protest as provided below.
4.4.2 Protests to Amendment(s)
Prospective Proposer may submit a Written protest of anything contained in an
Amendment. Protests to an Amendment, if issued, must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Time on the second Business Day following the issuance of the Amendment or the date/time
specified in the Amendment, or they will not be considered. Protests of matters not added
or modified by the Amendment will not be considered.
4.4.3 Requirements for Protests
All protests must:
• Be delivered to the SPC via email, ,;
• Reference the OregonBuys bid number;
• Identify prospective Proposer’s name and contact information;
• Be sent by an authorized representative;
• State the reason for the protest, including:
o the grounds that demonstrate how the Procurement Process is contrary to law,
Unnecessarily Restrictive, legally flawed, or improperly specifies a brand name;
and
o evidence or documentation that supports the grounds on which the protest is
based; and
• State the proposed changes to the RFP provisions or other relief sought.

Protests to the RFP must be received by the due date and time identified in the Schedule.
Protests to an Amendment must be received by the due date identified in the Amendment.

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4.5 PROPOSAL DELIVERY OPTIONS
Proposer is solely responsible for ensuring its Proposal is received by the SPC in accordance
with the RFP requirements before Opening. Agency is not responsible for any delays in mail or
by common carriers or by transmission errors or delays, or for any mis-delivery for any reason.
A Proposal submitted by any means not authorized below will be rejected. The following
delivery options are permitted for this RFP:
Delivery through email to the SPC; michelle.j.johnson@dsl.oregon.gov
4.6 PROPOSAL MODIFICATION OR WITHDRAWAL
If a Proposer wishes to make modifications to a submitted Proposal, the Proposer must submit
its modification in one of the authorized methods listed in Section 4.5 (Proposal Delivery
Options). To be effective the modification must include the OregonBuys bid number and be
submitted to the SPC prior to Opening.
If a Proposer wishes to withdraw a submitted Proposal, it must submit a Written notice signed
by an authorized representative of its intent to withdraw to the SPC via email, , or hard copy
prior to the Opening in accordance with OAR 125-247-0440. To be effective the notice must
include the OregonBuys bid number.
4.7 PROPOSAL DUE
A Proposal (including all required submittal items) must be received by the SPC on or before
Opening. All Proposal modifications or withdrawals must also be received prior to Opening.
A Proposal received after Opening is considered LATE and will NOT be accepted for evaluation.
A late Proposal will be returned to the Proposer or destroyed.
4.8 RESERVED
4.9 PROPOSAL REJECTION
Agency may reject a Proposal for any of the following reasons:
• Proposer fails to substantially comply with all prescribed RFP procedures and
requirements, including but not limited to the requirement that Proposer’s authorized
representative sign the Proposal.
• Proposer has liquidated and delinquent debt owed to the State or any department or
agency of the State.
• Proposer fails to meet the responsibility requirements of ORS 279B.110.
• Proposer makes any contact regarding this RFP with State representatives such as State
employees or officials other than the SPC or persons authorized by the SPC, or
inappropriate contact with the SPC.
• Proposer attempts to influence a member of the Evaluation Committee.
• Proposal is conditioned on Agency’s acceptance of any other terms and conditions or rights
to negotiate any alternative terms and conditions that are not reasonably related to those
expressly authorized for negotiation in the RFP or Amendment(s).

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4.10 EVALUATION PROCESS
4.10.1 Responsiveness and Responsibility Determination
4.10.1.1 Responsiveness determination
A Proposal received prior to Opening will be reviewed to determine if it is Responsive to
all RFP requirements including compliance with Section 3.1 (Minimum Qualifications) and
Section 3.2 (Minimum Submission Requirements). If the Proposal is unclear, the SPC may
request clarification from Proposer. However, clarifications may not be used to
rehabilitate a non-Responsive proposal. If the SPC finds the Proposal non-Responsive, the
Proposal may be rejected; however, Agency may waive mistakes in accordance with OAR
125-247-0470.
4.10.1.2 Responsibility Determination
Agency will determine if an apparent successful Proposer is Responsible prior to award
and execution of the Contract. Proposers shall submit a signed Responsibility Inquiry form
once the selected proposer is notified they are the potential winner of the solicitation.
(Attachment G)
At any time prior to award, Agency may reject a Proposer found to be not Responsible.
4.10.2 Evaluation Criteria
Each Proposal meeting all Responsiveness requirements will be independently evaluated by
members of the Evaluation Committee. Evaluators will assign a score for each evaluation
criterion listed below in this Section3.2.3 up to the maximum points available as specified in
Section (Point and Score Calculation).
SPC may request further clarification to assist the Evaluation Committee in gaining
additional understanding of a Proposal. A response to a clarification request may only
clarify or explain portions of the already submitted Proposal and may not contain new
information not included in the original Proposal.
4.10.3 PRICE EVALUATION
Following scoring and ranking of Proposals, based on the qualifications-based criteria
referenced above in Section 3.2.3, the Price Proposals from Proposers will be scored as
follows:
• Proposer with the lowest Price Proposal will receive 30 points.
• Proposer with the second lowest Price Proposal will receive 15 points.
• Proposer with the third lowest Price Proposal will receive 10 points.
• All other Proposers will receive 0 points.
4.10.3.1 Tiebreakers
If Agency receives Proposals identical in price, fitness, availability and quality and
chooses to award a Contract, Agency shall award the Contract in accordance with the
procedures outlined in OAR 137-046-0300.

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4.11 POINT AND SCORE CALCULATIONS
Points are the total possible for each section as listed in the table below.
The SPC will calculate all scores for each evaluation criterion.
4.12 RANKING OF PROPOSERS
The SPC will total the scores for each Proposal in a given round of competition calculated by
totaling the points awarded by each Evaluation Committee member.
Agency may, in Agency’s sole discretion, determine an apparent successful Proposer with no
additional rounds of competition. If additional rounds are conducted, Agency will rank
advancing Proposers at the conclusion of each subsequent round and may determine an
apparent successful Proposer at any time during the solicitation process.
NEXT STEP DETERMINATION
At the conclusion of competition, Agency may choose to conduct additional round(s) of
competition if in the best interest of the State. Additional rounds of competition may consist of,
but will not be limited to:
• Interviews
• Presentations/Demonstrations/Additional Submittal Items
• Discussions and submittal of revised Proposals
• Serial or simultaneous negotiations
• Best and Final Offers
4.12.1 Competitive Range Determination
If Agency, in its sole discretion, determines that one or more additional rounds of
competition is necessary, it will select a Competitive Range to indicate the Proposers that
will be invited to participate in a subsequent round. The Competitive Range may include all,
or at Agency’s sole discretion, some (based primarily on a natural break in the distribution
of scores), of the Proposers from a previous round. Agency will post a notice in OregonBuys
of its Competitive Range Determination and provide details about the process and schedule
for the subsequent round.
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE :

1
Proposer demonstrates work of same or similar type
of spotted owl survey projects. Specify number of
survey seasons and individual project sizes (acreage)
35
2 Key Personnel with relevant spotted owl experience
and management capability, including references
20



3 Logistics (field techniques, training and safety plan,
etc.)
20
4 Price 25
Total Points Possible 100

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SECTION 5: AWARD AND NEGOTIATION
5.1 AWARD NOTIFICATION PROCESS
5.1.1 Award Consideration
Agency, if it awards a Contract, will award a Contract to the highest ranking Responsible
Proposer(s) based upon the scoring methodology and process described in this RFP. Agency
may award less than the full Scope of Work described in this RFP.
5.1.2 Intent to Award Notice
Agency will notify all Proposers in Writing that Agency intends to award a Contract to the
selected Proposer(s) subject to successful negotiation of any negotiable provisions.
5.2 INTENT TO AWARD PROTEST
5.2.1 Protest Submission
An Affected Proposer shall have 7 calendar days from the date of the Intent to Award notice
to file a Written protest.
A Proposer is an Affected Proposer only if the Proposer would be eligible for Contract award
in the event the protest was successful and is protesting for one or more of the following
reasons as specified in ORS 279B.410:
• All higher ranked Proposals are non-Responsive.
• Agency has failed to conduct an evaluation of Proposals in accordance with the criteria
or process described in the RFP.
• Agency abused its discretion in rejecting the protestor’s Proposal as non-Responsive.
• Agency’s evaluation of Proposal or determination of award otherwise violates ORS
Chapter 279B or ORS Chapter 279A.
If Agency receives only one Proposal, Agency may dispense with the evaluation process and
Intent to Award protest period and proceed with Contract Negotiations and award.
5.2.1.1 Protest Requirements
Protests must:
• Be delivered to the SPC via email,
• Reference the OregonBuys bid number ;
• Identify Proposer’s name and contact information;
• Be signed by an authorized representative of Proposer;
• Specify the grounds for the protest; and
• Be received within 7 calendar days of the Intent to Award notice.
5.2.2 Response to Protest
Agency will address all timely submitted protests within a reasonable time and will issue a
Written decision to the respective Proposer. Protests that do not include the required

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information may not be considered by Agency.
5.3 APPARENT SUCCESSFUL PROPOSER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Proposer who is selected for a Contract award under this RFP will be required to submit
additional information and comply with the following:
5.3.1 Insurance
Prior to award, Proposer shall secure and demonstrate to Agency proof of insurance as
required in this RFP or as negotiated. Insurance Requirements are found in Exhibit B of
Attachment A.
5.3.2 Taxpayer Identification Number
Proposer shall provide its Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding
status on a completed W-9 form when requested by Agency or when the backup
withholding status or any other relevant information of Proposer has changed since the last
submitted W-9 form, if any.
5.3.3 Business Registry
If selected for award, Proposer shall be duly authorized by the State of Oregon to transact
business in the State of Oregon before executing the Contract. Visit
http://sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/register.aspx for Oregon Business Registry
information.
5.3.4 Responsibility Inquiry
Prior to award, Proposer shall be required to complete and submit Attachment G —
Responsibility Inquiry.
5.3.5 Pay Equity Certification
If selected for award and the Contract value exceeds $500,000 and Proposer employs 50 or
more full-time workers, Proposer shall submit to Agency a true and correct copy of an
unexpired Pay Equity Compliance Certificate, issued to the Proposer by the Oregon
Department of Administrative Services. For instructions on how to obtain the Certificate,
visit https://www.oregon.gov/das/Procurement/Pages/PayEquity.aspx.
ORS 279B.110(2)(f) requires that Proposer provide this prior to execution of the
Contract.
5.3.6 Nondiscrimination in Employment
As a condition of receiving the award of a Contract under this RFP, Proposer must certify by
its Signature on Attachment C - Proposer Information and Certification Sheet, in accordance
with ORS 279A.112, that it has in place a policy and practice of preventing sexual
harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination against employees who are members of a
protected class. The policy and practice must include giving employees a written notice that
the policy both prohibits, and prescribes disciplinary measures for, conduct that constitutes
sexual harassment, sexual assault, or unlawful discrimination.

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5.3.7 No Collusion.
As a condition of submitting a proposal, Proposer must certify by its Signature on
Attachment C - Proposer Information and Certification Sheet that the Bid was prepared
independently from all other Bidders, and without collusion, fraud, or other dishonesty. The
price(s) and amount of this bid have been arrived at independently and without
consultation, communication or agreement with any other contractor, bidder or potential
bidder. Neither the price(s) or amount of this bid, and neither the approximate price nor
approximate amount of this bid, have been disclosed to any other firm or person who is a
bidder or potential bidder, and they will not be disclosed before bid opening. Contractor has
made no attempt, nor will make any attempt, to induce any firm or person to refrain from
bidding on this contract, or to submit a bid higher than this bid, or to submit any
intentionally high or noncompetitive bid or other form of complementary bid. This bid is
made in good faith and not pursuant to any agreement or discussion with, or inducement
from, any firm or person to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
5.4 CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
5.4.1 Negotiation
After selection of a successful Proposer, Agency may enter into Contract negotiations with
the successful Proposer. By submitting a Proposal, Proposer agrees to comply with the
requirements of the RFP, including the terms and conditions of the Sample Contract
(Attachment A), with the exception of those terms listed below for negotiation.
Proposer shall review the attached Sample Contract and note exceptions.
Proposer must submit those exceptions to Agency during the Questions / Requests for
Clarification period set forth in Section 1.2. If Agency agrees to make any requested changes
to the Sample Contract, Agency will issue an Amendment to notify Proposers of such
changes. Unless Agency issues an Amendment modifying any of the terms and conditions,
Agency intends to enter into a Contract with the successful Proposer substantially in the
form set forth in Sample Contract (Attachment A).
Following the selection of the apparent successful Proposer, Agency may agree to negotiate
changes to the negotiable provisions of the Sample Contract listed below. However, Agency
is not required to make any changes and many provisions cannot be changed. Proposer is
cautioned that the State of Oregon believes modifications to the standard provisions
constitute increased risk and increased cost to the State.
Any subsequent negotiated changes are subject to prior approval of the Oregon Department
of Justice.
Agency is willing to negotiate all items, except those listed below:
• Choice of law
• Choice of venue
• Constitutional requirements
• Requirements of applicable federal and State law
In the event that the parties have not reached mutually agreeable terms within 30 calendar
days, Agency may terminate Negotiations and commence Negotiations with the next highest
ranking Proposer.

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SECTION 6: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
6.1 COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The State of Oregon is committed to taking active steps toward increasing and promoting
diversity, equity, and inclusion values across procurement processes for minority, women,
emerging small, and service-disabled veteran owned businesses by reducing barriers to
compete for and be awarded state contracts. All interested businesses are encouraged to submit
proposals for this contracting opportunity.
6.2 CERTIFIED FIRM PARTICIPATION
Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) Chapter 200, Agency encourages the participation of
small businesses, certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and
Diversity (“COBID”) in all contracting opportunities. This includes certified small businesses in
the following categories: disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, woman-
owned business, a business that a service-disabled veteran owns or an emerging small business.
Agency also encourages joint ventures or subcontracting with certified small business
enterprises. For more information, visit:
https://oregon4biz.diversitysoftware.com/FrontEnd/VendorSearchPublic.asp?XID=6787&TN=
oregon4biz
If the Contract has potential subcontracting opportunities, the successful Proposer may be
required to submit a completed Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan (Attachment F)
prior to execution.
6.3 GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS
This RFP is governed by the laws of the State of Oregon. Venue for any administrative or judicial
action relating to this RFP, evaluation and award is the Circuit Court of Marion County for the
State of Oregon; provided, however, if a proceeding must be brought in a federal forum, then it
must be brought and conducted solely and exclusively within the United States District Court for
the District of Oregon. In no event shall this Section 6.2 be construed as a waiver by the State of
Oregon of any form of defense or immunity, whether sovereign immunity, governmental
immunity, immunity based on the eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States
or otherwise, to or from any claim or consent to the jurisdiction of any court.
6.4 OWNERSHIP/PERMISSION TO USE MATERIALS
All Proposals are public records and are subject to public inspection after Agency issues the
Notice of Intent to Award. Application of the Oregon Public Records Law will determine
whether any information is exempt from disclosure.
All Proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the Property of Agency. By submitting
a Proposal in response to this RFP, Proposer grants the State a non-exclusive, perpetual,
irrevocable, royalty-free license for the rights to copy, distribute, display, prepare derivative
works of and transmit the Proposal solely for the purpose of evaluating the Proposal,
negotiating a Contract, if awarded to Proposer, or as otherwise needed to administer the RFP
process, and to fulfill obligations under Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.311 through
192.478). Proposals, including supporting materials, will not be returned to Proposer, except in

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the case of Proposals that were submitted late and rejected by Agency.
6.5 CANCELLATION OF RFP; REJECTION OF PROPOSAL; NO DAMAGES.
Pursuant to ORS 279B.100, Agency may reject any or all Proposals in-whole or in-part, or may
cancel this RFP at any time when the rejection or cancellation is in the best interest of the State
or Agency, as determined by Agency. Neither the State nor any State agency is liable to any
Proposer for any loss or expense caused by or resulting from the delay, suspension, or
cancellation of the RFP or a Contract award, or the rejection of any Proposal.
6.6 COST OF SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
Proposer shall pay all costs incurred in connection with its Proposal, including, but not limited
to, the costs to prepare and submit the Proposal, costs of samples and other supporting
materials, costs to participate in demonstrations, and costs associated with protests.
6.7 STATEWIDE E-WASTE/RECOVERY PROCEDURE
If applicable, Proposer shall include information in its Proposal that demonstrates compliance
with the Statewide E-Waste/Recovery Procedure #107-011-050_PR. Visit the DAS website
www.oregon.gov/das and use the search bar feature to locate the procedure.
6.8 RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS
Proposer shall use recyclable products to the maximum extent economically feasible in the
performance of the Services or Work described in this RFP and the subsequent Contract. (ORS
279B.025)