Population research and monitoring of mountain lions across California helps address the diversity of affected parties that express interest and concern over California’s carnivore species. For example, hunters have expressed concern that the mountain lion population is increasing in some areas of the state and negatively impacting native mule deer, pronghorn, and elk populations by high rates of predation. Conversely, wildlife managers and researchers have expressed concern how the recovery of gray wolves may negatively impact localized mountain lion populations in these overlapping areas as observed in other areas of the western United States. Moreover, areas of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains have been largely overlooked when it comes to potential deleterious effects that interstate and state highways, and US forest service roads have on populations. Increased understanding of mountain lion populations in this region will help mitigate future human-mountain lion interactions throughout this region. The CDFW requires an integrated research approach to identify, verify, and potentially mitigate these concerns in a well-coordinated manner statewide. Investigating mountain lion ecology by examining spatial data sets and supplementing them where necessary will enable CDFW to meet these demands in an efficient and cost-effective manner. This Agreement will facilitate implementation of mountain lion research and monitoring in California. The purpose of this Agreement is to continue the facilitation of mountain lion research, monitoring, and management across the State using specially trained houndspersons (Contractor). The awarded bidder will aid in the capture and satellite-collaring of mountain lions to facilitate CDFW research efforts consistent with California Fish and Game Code §1001 and §4800- 4810. The work is required on an as-needed basis statewide, with targeted efforts in specific areas of California. The awarded bidder will receive specific guidance from the CDFW Contract Manager regarding scheduling and focal areas within the study area. Services will be performed at specified US National Forest and State of California lands in the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tahoe and Plumas National Forests in Nevada, Sierra and Plumas counties, California where mountain lions are known to occur. The study area is approximately 30 minutes north of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Interstate 80 forms the southern boundary and the California-Nevada state border forms the eastern boundary (see map in Exhibit A, Attachment 1 of the Sample Agreement).
