Intent to Sole Source Bird GPS-UHF Transmiiters

Description of Contract Action: Contract action will be the purchase of (Qty. = 24) Ecotone Sterna 3.4-gram GPS-UHF transmitters for small birds and (Qty. = 24) Ecotone XS-NS Short Range Base Station and Battery Grip. We request that the UHF tracking equipment be acquired using noncompetitive procurement in support of program mission requirements (please see JOFOC). Additionally, data were previously collected, therefore to ensure scientific integrity we need to obtain identical units. To ensure these units are received prior to the Burrowing Owl season of highest abundance, they need to be delivered no later than September 15, 2020. The statutory authority is 41 U.S.C. 253( c )(1) / FAR 6.302-1 The property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs) did not produce any company capable of meeting our specifications. This company (Vertebrate Systems LLC) is currently the only provided that has a solar powered GPS-capable unit with greater than 1 year of battery life, with GPS-accuracy of location and the ability to capture and store location information multiple times per day, allows data transfer within North America via a locally established UHF base station system, and is small enough (< 6 g) to attach to Burrowing Owls. Invoices should be delivered to NWRC’s Ohio Field Station Attn: Betsy Poggiali USDA Wildlife Services 6100 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-0242 [email protected] Product delivery address: Attn: Dr. Brian Washburn USDA Wildlife Services 6100 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-0242 Technical POC: Dr. Brian Washburn USDA Wildlife Services 6100 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-0242 [email protected]