Opportunity: CITES Subject Matter Expert

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Contracting and General Services in Falls Church, VA intends to award to Inalab Consulting, Inc., 3949 Pender Drive, Suite 150, Fairfax, VA 22030 for a U.S. CITES subject matter expert. The objective of this work is to provide a professional with highly specialized recent experience implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for the U.S. CITES Authorities such that the individual is able to take full responsibility for the duties with no on-boarding or training needed. The agency needs to immediately implement a high-profile CITES technical assistance and capacity building portfolio to combat wildlife trafficking with appropriate and effective representation of the United States policies and positions in a human resource constrained environment. This requirement is a follow-on to the work completed by a previous American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow. Inalab Consulting has a PhD expert wildlife biologist who has received specialized experience as a fellow working in the CITES Authorities for the past four years. She has the required up-to-date knowledge of the U.S. government's policies and processes to implement CITES. She has current knowledge of U.S. priorities for CITES capacity building and combating wildlife trafficking. She has represented U.S CITES Authority interests at international CITES meetings, including the Standing Committee in 2016 and Animals Committee in 2017 and it is critical for her to carry out this requirement. She also has the essential on-the-ground experience working with interagency partners to combat wildlife trafficking, including with the U.S. Agency for International Development at the U.S. Embassy staff in Kenya. CITES and wildlife trafficking are highly technical fields and no people outside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES Authorities possess current relevant experience to effectively advance U.S. capacity building priorities, as required by this position. And in particular, with no need for on-boarding or training upon placement. The proposed contract is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). All responsible sources may identify their interest and capability for this requirement by responding to this announcement. All proposals received within fifteen days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Point of Contact: Bill Fluharty at William_fluharty@fws.gov