20--Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey intends to award a sole source purchase order under the provisions of FAR 13.106-1(b), to VEMCO Division, Amirix Systems Inc. of Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada for the purchase of VR2C model receivers, as described below. The USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) intends to purchase VR2C model receivers, VUE software (version 2.0.5), data communication cables in various lengths, VEMCO lithium replacement batteries for VR2C, and VEMCO desiccant for VR2C from VEMCO Systems. The UMESC intends to procure, install, and operate automated receivers. These receivers will be initially purchased by UMESC, used by the USGS Indiana Water Science Center (IWSC), and then returned to UMESC upon completion of the impending study. An existing network, maintained by Purdue University (Purdue), of 165 tagged bighead carp, USGS stream-flow gages, and satellite telemetry all provide an opportunity to track and transmit real-time alerts of bighead carp presence and prevent their crossing from the Wabash River into the Lake Erie basin. In order to do this, the Government must purchase these specific receivers to ensure proper communication between the tags and receivers. The VEMCO VR2C receivers are the only cable-connected devices that can operate on the 69 kHz standard frequency and read VEMCOs proprietary Pulse Period Modulated and High Residency coded signals transmitted by Purdues existing tags. This is considered to be in the best interest of the government to avoid interruptions in the interface with the existing equipment, to allow full access to the data for a seamless connection to data loggers and to ensure accurate collection of VEMCOs proprietary coded signals. A sole source award is planned under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures; accordingly a competitive solicitation will not be published or released under this requirement. No solicitation is planned to be issued, and this may be the only noticed published by the agency regarding this proposed acquisition. Questions or comments regarding this proposed award may be directed to the buyer via email at [email protected]. Responses to this posting must be submitted in writing via e-mail only. A determination not to compete the described purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government.