Notice

Publication Date

2022-03-30

Subcategory

White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area

Alligator Egg Harvest

REQUEST FOR BID NUMBER: WLF-WLWCA-22

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Department) is planning an experimental alligator egg harvest on White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area during the 2022 wild alligator egg collection season. The harvest season is scheduled to occur between the dates of June 10th and July 15th; the specific start, end and collection dates will be specified by the Department and coordinated with the Area Manager. The actual nest marking/staking and egg collection dates may be changed slightly pending discussion with successful bidder. A total of 12,000 wild alligator eggs will be allowed to be collected in 2022. The Department reserves the right to alter (increase or decrease) the actual alligator egg collection quota in any year. The permitted number of eggs is only an estimate of potential production and in no way is a guarantee of the number of eggs that will be available for collection. During the last eighteen years the following number of alligator eggs were permitted and collected from the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area:

Year

Eggs Permitted

Eggs Collected

2004

8,000

2005

8,000

7,726

2006

10,000

7,447

2007

12,000

7,476

2008

12,000

5,501

2009

12,000

No collection

2010

10,000

2,715

2011

10,000

3,031

2012

10,000

4,603

2013

10,000

5,662

2014

10,000

6,322

2015

10,000

4,904

2016

10,000

9,244

2017

10,000

7,244

2018

10,000

2019

12,000

2020

12,000

3,695

2021

12,000

2,454

By way of this request for bid, the Department is inviting qualified (see attached list of qualifying criteria), Non-Game Quadruped Breeder license holders who are bona fide alligator farmers with incubation and grow out facilities, to submit a bid for the right to collect these wild alligator eggs on the attached form. The minimum allowable bid is $15.00 per egg collected. We will accept bids through Thursday April 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. At that time bids will be opened, reviewed and considered for award by the Department. Award determination will be made solely by the Department based on qualifying criteria and bid value. All prospective bidders must be properly licensed to collect alligator eggs and to house and grow out alligators. Verification of license will be required. The successful bidder must comply with all applicable state and federal regulations.

Please review the following payment terms:

• All bids must be accompanied by a Cashier’s Check for an initial payment of (bid price per egg x 2,500 eggs).

• All bids not accompanied with the initial payment will be rejected.

• Successful Bidder acknowledges that the initial payment (submitted with the bid) is non-refundable.

• Cashier’s Checks for initial payments will be returned to all unsuccessful bidders.

• No bidder will be allowed to withdraw their bid once the bid opening is conducted.

• Should the Contractor fail to collect the minimum number of 2,500 eggs by reason of Force Majeure (for the purpose of this bid Force Majeure is limited to lack of sufficient egg production, flooding or hurricanes), the Department, at its sole discretion and determination, may consider a refund of the initial payment for the number of eggs not collected (2,500 - # collected x bid price per egg).

• Within 5 days of completing the alligator egg harvest, Contractor agrees to make final, complete payment for eggs collected (bid price per egg x additional eggs collected above 2,500).

• CONTRACTOR is obligated to make every effort to collect the full quota of eggs. Failure to make every effort to collect the full quota of eggs (as determined solely by the Department) will result in termination of the resulting egg collection contract.

• Failure to pay the required amounts at the specified time shall void BIDDER’S/CONTRACTOR’s bid and selection and will allow the DEPARTMENT to select a new Contractor.

• Payments will be made by Cashier’s Check only; made payable to: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Revenue Section, with a Memo Line note of “White Lake Fund”

The DEPARTMENT reserves the right to reject all bids and at its option issue a new request for bids.

Overview

Harvest of alligator eggs and subsequent release of farm-reared hatchlings (up to 2 years post-egg harvest) on White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area will be conducted in accordance with both Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) Rules and Regulations and the Department’s alligator egg collection permit and contract. Alligator eggs and subsequently hatched alligators collected from White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area are non-transferable to any other licensed farmer or entity.

Egg Collections and Returns to the Wild

Upon receiving approval from the Department, the bidder will have access to White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area for up to 3 days to conduct the actual alligator egg collections. Additional days may be granted on a case by case basis. Before the commencement of nest collection, the successful bidder must provide Department personnel with locations (i.e., latitude and longitude coordinates in a digital and hard copy format) for all observed nests. Coordinates of additional nests located via ground search will be provided to the Department at the time of egg collection data submission. In addition, bidder must contact the White Lake Area Manager to arrange for collection dates, access points to interior marsh management units (access will be strictly controlled) and location of the egg harvest monitoring station. All eggs collected on the area will be transported through a specified access point. The bidder is responsible for making all egg collection arrangements and must provide qualified personnel to expeditiously collect / transport eggs. In addition, all individuals assisting in egg collection from the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area must be in possession of a Designated Agent Collection Permit. Once an egg is removed from a nest and placed on the collection/transport boat, it is considered collected and counts toward the annual egg quota. All eggs not collected must be returned to the original nest, oriented properly and covered with nesting material to enhance embryo survival. Upon completion, all eggs collected will be transported to a specified monitoring station. Department staff will verify the alligator egg count (bidder must provide assistance to verify egg count); no eggs will leave the area without specific approval of the Department. The Department egg count will be considered the official count and final basis for payment. The bidder is required to collect any data deemed necessary on harvested eggs. A complete listing of egg harvest information which directly corresponds to nest locations must be provided to the Department in both hard copy and digital formats. The successful bidder must make every effort to collect all available alligator eggs each year.

The successful bidder is responsible for both coordinating (i.e., providing a specific date) and conducting actual releases to the wild with Department approval / instructions. Farm-reared alligator releases will only occur between March 15 and August 25 of each calendar year provided that environmental conditions, as determined by the Department, are favorable for animal survival. All releases on White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area will be conducted in accordance with both Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Rules and Regulations and the Department’s Alligator Egg Collection Permit. Should the bidder be unable to release the required number of farm-reared alligators, he/she shall be required to purchase additional animals from another farmer to meet compliance with the alligator egg collection permit and Department regulations. Farm-reared alligators being returned should consist of sex ratios equivalent to 50% female. Latitude / longitude coordinates of each release site as well as toe tag numbers for each farm-released alligator must be provided in both hard copy and digital formats (specific data collection requirements will be provided by White Lake Area Manager). Bidder must coordinate proposed release with the White Lake Area Manager prior to releasing any alligators.

Additional Requirements

• Successful bidder must provide the Department with a GPS active track file of survey flown to verify complete search of area for alligator nest.

• The Department reserves the right to request that additional survey flights be made to ensure adequate nest location and collection effort

I understand that if I am selected and meet all criteria set forth in Department’s request for bid, alligator egg collection permit and in the alligator egg collection contract, the alligator egg collection permit and contract will be for 2022 at the bid price set forth on this form. I understand that should any rules and regulations governing alligators, alligator egg collections and alligator farming change, the contract governing the collection of eggs from White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area will change correspondingly.

Contract

A formal contract will be executed between the successful bidder and the Department. Where the State has determined the Contractor to be in default, the State reserves the right to sell products covered by the said contract on the open market and to charge the Contractor the difference in sale price if it is below the existing contract price. Until such assessed charges have been paid, no subsequent bid from the defaulting contractor will be considered.

Special Conditions

• All Rules and Regulations pertaining to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area

must be strictly adhered to. CONTRACTOR and Designated Agents are not required to possess WMA Access Permits and are not required to complete Self-Clearing Permits while conducting operations related to alligator egg harvest on White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area.

2) Bidder shall minimize vegetation damage and when possible avoid two way tracking of equipment. Bidder shall be responsible for any damages associated with the project.

3) Bidder shall hold harmless, indemnify, and defend the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, State of Louisiana, from and against any and all claims for damages to persons or property arising out of or incidental to this project, including all claims that are alleged to be the result of the negligence of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, State of Louisiana, its agents or employees.

White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area

Experimental Alligator Egg Harvest Program

Qualifying Criteria for Bidders

• Bidder must be a licensed, Non-Game Quadruped Breeder and a bona fide alligator farmer with incubation and grow-out facilities.

• Bidder must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in collecting wild alligator eggs from Louisiana coastal marshes and in hatching and rearing alligators. In addition, Bidder must demonstrate skills necessary to collect and transport eggs in an appropriate manner to ensure egg viability and hatching success.

• Bidder must possess the necessary standard and specialized equipment required to harvest alligator eggs from coastal wetland habitat. The specialized equipment may include but is not limited to the following: airboats, outboard boats and motors, mudboats, go-devils, tunnel drives, etc.

• Bidder must provide one written reference from a landowner currently enrolled in the alligator egg collection program which documents the bidder’s ability to: 1.) harvest and properly care for alligator eggs / alligators and 2.) provide timely payment for eggs.

• Bidder must conduct the required alligator egg collecting in White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in an attenuated, pre-described time frame (i.e., the bidder will only have access to White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area for up to 3 days to conduct the alligator egg collections. Additional days may be granted on a case by case basis.)

• Bidder must conduct the egg collections themselves, no subletting of egg collection will be allowed.

• Bidder and his/her licensed helpers will be subject to a background investigation for past convictions of Wildlife and Fisheries rules and regulations. Any applicant and/or helper possessing a Class II or higher wildlife/fisheries law conviction related to alligators within the last five (5) years is automatically disqualified.

• Bidder must agree to follow specific instructions and complete all necessary paperwork as directed by the Department.

If and only if these qualifying criteria are met, each potential bidder must complete the attached application and bid form which will be used by the Department to make the selection.

If you plan to bid on multiple egg contracts, you are only

required to supply one copy of your qualifying information to the Department.

ALLIGATOR EGG COLLECTION APPLICATION

White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area

NAME: PHONE: Home ____ Cell_____________

STREET: CITY: STATE: ZIP _______

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: DATE OF BIRTH: ___________

DRIVERS LICENSE:_____________________

Please provide the following information on your previous alligator egg collection experience

YEAR: 2021

Landowner Name

Eggs Permitted

Eggs Collected

Eggs Hatched

YEAR: 2020

Landowner Name

Eggs Permitted

Eggs Collected

Eggs Hatched

YEAR: 2019

Landowner Name

Eggs Permitted

Eggs Collected

Eggs Hatched

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Bidder is required to provide one written reference documenting your ability to: (1) harvest and properly care for alligator eggs and (2) to provide timely payment for eggs, from a landowner currently enrolled in the alligator egg collection program.

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Please answer the following questions.

1) Have you been issued any type of wildlife related citation during the last 5 years?

Yes No

2) If yes, please provide the following information: DATE:______________________________

Type of violation: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

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I certify that the information I have provided in this application is true. I understand that falsification of this information may cause my application to be rejected, my name removed from the eligible register and/or subject me to immediate dismissal from this project.

_____________________________ _______________________________

Signature of Applicant Date

White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area

Alligator Egg Harvest

Request for Bid Number: WLF-WLWCA-22

Official Bid Form

Company Name Phone# (____)________________

Company Address _______________________ ____________ ____

Bidder's Name __________________________ ____________________

Nongame Quadruped Breeder License # ________________

I have read and understand the attached proposal and bid form. I understand that the minimum bid is $15.00 per egg collected and that the alligator egg harvest quota for 2022 is currently set at 12,000 eggs and that the quota may increase or decrease in any year at the Department’s discretion. I acknowledge that the quota is not a guarantee of the number of eggs that will actually be collected but rather it is only an estimate of egg production. A formal alligator egg collection permit and a formal alligator egg collection contract will be executed between the successful bidder (contractor) and the Department.

I agree to the following payment terms: