Under esxi I want to have a NIC appear as a port on a virtual switch

Network shutdown will not work on ESXi, a secondary server needs to shut ESX down via a script.
The method proposed almost defeats the ability of network shutdown.  Considered serial cable shutdown?

Actually I have installed the VIMA and I am going to use the scripts to initiate the shutdown.  What I am looking to do is have a physical port on my server connect directly to the UPS through the management card as opposed to attaching the UPS to the switch.

I'm not sure why you would want tp do this, as you will need to have a guest session initiate a shutdown of ESX, thi si a very unconventional method to achieve this as 65TD has mentioned.
I would suggest you plug the UPS's management card into your network switch, via an other PC or server (Maybe your Virtual Center Server) initiate the shutdown of ESX then it's self.
If you really want to connect the UPS Management card directly via a cross over cable you can..
I would think you just need to create another vSwitch and use a guest session to monitor the UPS, manage the power state and therefore initiate shutdowns etc.

This is what I am looking to institute:

http://viops.vmware.com/home/docs/DOC-1341

This uses the VIMA as the guest sesstion and initiates the script.  

What I want to know is if you can make a physical card a port on a vSwitch without it being part of the team.  I just want it to be a port on the switch.  Is this possible?