Description
Contract No. F11PX5461TAS 14 1611 SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $3,000 AND UP TO $150,000 DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUIREMENTGeolocators are archival tags capable of measuring and storing data on light levels, and using that data to calculate the subject's latitude and longitude using a process known as light-based geolocation. Geolocators for this project to determine winter movements of Crested Auklets in the Aleutian Islands must collect and archive precision time-stamped depth, Wet/dry time, water temperature and light-based geolocation data for attachment to seabirds (not fish or wading birds). Because Crested auklets are small, it is essential that the geolocators have the following specifications to insure that there are no harmful effects on the bird and that data are not compromised.There are 4 major specifications that must be met:Mass:Must be less than 2 g to remain less than 5% of bird's body massSensors: Must have Daily Sea Surface temperature, Max/Min Temperature, Wet/dry, and Geolocation Light sensorsSize:Must be no larger than 15mm x 8mm x 8mm to insure fit on birds legAttachment method:External flatpak with strong attachment brackets that allow attachment to bands. This is a very critical spec. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Geolocator technology is an emerging field in wildlife tracking studies. Compared to other types of tracking information, geolocator technology is able to cheaply provide positional data with a variety of sensors. This means that researchers can increase sample sizes to provide larger numbers for better statistical analysis and more meaningful interpretation of results. In contrast, PTT or satellite tags are large, expensive, and have additional data processing charges. VHF tags must have an observer near the bird (not possible at sea over vast distances) or fly expensive aerial surveys. GPS tags are generally large, have limited additional sensors and the battery life is only a few days. TDR tags provide depth and temperature but not positional data. Because this is an emerging field, there are only a few manufacturers of this technology. Only 1 company is able to provide a device capable of obtaining data required by the study to determine the winter movement of Crested Auklets in the Aleutian Islands: Lotek Wireless. EFFORTS TO LOCATE OTHER SOURCES To aid in the selection of a device from a vendor, the following documents the ability of the 3 primary manufacturers of geologgers and 5 other major wildlife tracking companies. (In no particular order). There are not many manufacturers of these devices as they are rather unique. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) The BAS are world class manufacturers of geologgers and they make 7 models. None of the models will work. The Mk 14-S, Mk 10B and Mk 10B-S are not made for seabirds and deployment in an oceanic environment. The Mk 15 and 19 are too heavy and large. The Mk 18-L and H are light enough but do not have a Temperature sensor or attachment bracket suitable for crested auklets. Furthermore, BAS is not accepting orders at this time and their devices do not meet specifications desired. Star-oddi Star-Oddi manufactures only 1 external geologger - The DST bird model. It is too long for crested auklets, does not have a wet/dry sensor and lacks the required attachment brackets. Lotek Wireless Lotek has 1 model which fits the specifications. Model LAT 2900 has the correct mass, size, sensors and attachment method. There are several configurations and the LAT 2900-3 fits the requirements of the project. A LAT reader is not needed. Microwave Telemetry Manufactures only PTT (Platform Transmitter Terminal) devices commonly known as "satellite tags". These devices operate on a UHF frequency, are expensive and not similar to Geolocator technology (passive, small, and the animal must be recaptured). They do not manufacture Geolocator tags. Sirtrack Manufactures PTT tags (active data transmission), VHF tags (short range and observer must be near animal - not feasible in the Aleutian Islands in winter), and GPS tags (Active or passive, large, expensive). They do not manufacture Geolocator tags. Wildlife Computers Manufactures Pop-up tags (PTT active, heavy tags for animals that do not regularly surface on the ocean for transmission of signal), Splash tags( PTT active heavy devices to track animals that spend enough time on the ocean surface to transmit Argos locations), SPOT tags (PTT active heavy tags for horizontal tracking via Argos). And TDR tags (heavy (30g, passive device to record Depth and Temp, but not position). They do not manufacture Geolocator tags. Teleonics Manufactures PTT tags (active data transmission), VHF tags (short range and observer must be near animal - not feasible in the Aleutian Islands in winter), and GPS tags (Active or passive, large, expensive). They do not manufacture Geolocator tags. Advanced Telemetry Systems Manufactures VHF tags, TDR (passive Depth and Temp or Activity and Temp) tags which do not record position. They do not manufacture Geolocator tags. Given the market research above, Lotek Wireless is the only source able to meet our needs at this time with their model LAT 2900-3.