The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain competitive proposals from qualified Proposers who are interested in providing marketing consultation and marketing services for Louisiana alligator hides and products at a national and international level.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. LDWF’s sustained use program is one of the world’s most recognizable examples of a wildlife conservation success story. Louisiana’s program has been used as a model for managing various crocodilian species throughout the world. Since the inception of the Department’s program in 1972, over 1,000,000 wild alligators have been harvested, over 10 million alligator eggs have been collected, and over 6.8 million farm raised alligators have been sold bringing in millions of dollars of revenue to landowners, trappers and farmers. Conservative estimates have valued these resources at over $100,000,000 annually, providing significant, direct economic benefit to Louisiana.
Export of alligator hides and products out of the United States is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This treaty, which became effective in 1975, regulates the international trade in protected species; its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers CITES requirements and controls for the United States. The species covered by CITES are listed on one of three Appendices, according to the degree of protection needed by each species. Currently, the alligator is listed on Appendix II of CITES, because of their similarity of appearance to other crocodilians that are truly endangered or threatened.
In order to maintain Louisiana’s position as a world leader in alligator and crocodile management it is critically important that State be kept abreast of all national and international issues related to alligator and crocodile management as well as all amendments and proposals to CITES that affect State’s ability to manage the alligator in Louisiana and to compete in the world market as alligator farmers, dealers and hunters strive to sell alligator hides, meat and other products. In 2018, the sale of wild and farm-raised alligators (hides and meat) in Louisiana exceeded $100 million.
The prices for wild alligator hides have been declining. The Nuisance Alligator Program is an important part of Louisiana’s Alligator Management Program, which manages about 2,500 nuisance alligators annually. Nuisance alligator hunters rely on the sales from the hide and meat to support their costs for participating in the Nuisance Alligator Program. Establishing a stable market for Louisiana alligator hides whether they be farm raised or wild harvested, will enhance the future of the industry and perpetuate the conservation of the species.
Scope of Work:
Goals and Objectives
The overall objective for this contract is to create a stable market for Louisiana alligator hides which will enhance the future of the industry and perpetuate the conservation of the species.
Additionally, this contract is to ensure that LDWF and the AAC have all the necessary information to make informed decisions and recommendations relative to national and international issues pertaining to alligator and crocodile management, regulation and trade. The objective is to provide critical information and expert advice to the LDWF and the AAC relative to national and international issues that may affect Louisiana’s alligator management program and alligator industry. This will be achieved through attending meetings, obtaining accurate information, conducting extensive communications and providing recommendations in order for LDWF to ensure sound state, national, and international regulations pertaining to alligators and other crocodilians.
Due Date:
November 24th, 2:00 PM CST