Description
Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition United States Department of Agriculture Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. Requesting Agency: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services NWRC 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 Contracting Activity: USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD Minneapolis Procurement Branch USDA APHIS AAMD Contracting 250 Marquette Ave Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved. Due to the circumstances described below, the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services program requests to negotiate a sole source contract with Lotek USA Inc. for the purchase of VHF telemetry equipment outfitted on a specialized neck collar designed to appropriately expand as the animal on which it is applied (i.e., sheep) grow. 3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value). VHF telemetry equipment to be used in studies of predator impacts on domestic sheep, specifically lambs, will include 262 expandable collars with VHF transmitters mounted to the exterior of the collars. Specifications of the VHF include: --VHF transmitters in range of 164-168 MHz -Antenna exposed (i.e., not built into collar) -Temperature Operating range of -30C - +50C -Approximate Battery Life of 1+ years - Signal frequency of 40bpm during normal operation -Equipped with a mortality switch that double signal frequency to 80bpm after a predetermined time with no collar movement Specifications of the expandable include: -Collars must range from 6-15 inches -Collar material is made entirely of elastic material except where the transmitter is attached -Does not have a buckle in the collar because that will potentially cause injury to the sheep Estimated value for all 262 expandable 4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, titled "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." 5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority. We conducted a search of wildlife telemetry companies in the USA that might be capable of building collars to the necessary specifications. We came up with an initial list of 7 companies that advertised VHF transmitters with the necessary specifications. We then contacted all of the companies to enquire if they were capable of building expandable collars to the specifications we required. Importantly, the collar specifications are critical because we will be applying these collars to sheep owned by Livestock producers and thus we are trying to minimize risk of injury or death to the producer sheep. Only one company, LOTEK USA was able to build expandable collar without an integrated buckle system. Collars that have buckles for attaching the collar create greater risk of neck injury then collars without the buckle system. Several companies were unable to build any expandable collar, and several companies were able to build collars but they contained buckles and thus were deemed inappropriate. 6 . A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. Our efforts to solicit offers started with an internet search of any company that built wildlife telemetry units (i.e., VHF units). We went to all pages that indicated this capability and research which companies built VHF units to the specifications we required. We then contacted all the companies that were capable of building the VHF component and discussed on the phone whether they were able to build the expandable collar to our specifications. Market Research determined that there were no small business who could provide the type of expandable collar that is required. 7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. VHF Transmitters can range anywhere from $150-$330 based on the various specs and features. LOTEK has the best pricing and also the only manufacturer that can meet specifications required for the VHF transmitter and the collar. Their pricing is deemed fair and reasonable. 8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted. We utilized an internet search, word of mouth between respected colleagues, and professional forum focused on wildlife to inquire about potential companies making quality telemetry products. The following list of companies was developed and included in our market research: Microwave Telemetry Inc., Norstar, Advanced Telemetry Systems, SirTrack LTD, Lotek, Telemetry Solutions, Telonics, and Titley Scientific 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. We spent significant time interviewing different companies to ensure they could meet the specifications particularly of the expandable portion of our collar needs. LOTEK has a long history of building this type of collar and we believe this should form some of the considerations regarding this sole source. 10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition. -Advanced Telemetry Systems -Teleonics -Titley Scientific -LOTEK 11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated. N/A