Description
2008 Polaris Ranger XP 4 X 4 700 EFI -Pro Track System is mounted and installed and FWS WILL KEEP WHEEL/TIRES AFTER INSTALLATION OF PRO TRACK SYSTEM Specifications for ATV RW082404: Minimum 700 cc engine, automatic transmission, 4 X4 all terrain dual passenger vehicle with tracks and cargo box. Purpose of the ATV is to conduct avian influenza surveillance on Lake Alice NWR. This 12,000 acre refuge is surrounded by thick layer of emergent vegetation (cattails) Pickups or four wheelers are not able to traverse many of the mucky, wet, and thickly vegetated areas. Avian influenza surveillance is conducted regularly for 6 months each year. Purpose of the ATV is to meet our needs for maintaining the big game fence at Sullys Hill National Game Preserve. We are suggesting the purchase of a Polaris Ranger XP 4x4 700 EFI side by side with the Pro Track System. This is a 40 horse power, twin cylinder engine, with automatic transmission. Pro Track System is mounted and installed, and we also will receive the wheels/tires for use of this equipment at other times during the year. Consideration: Delivered price, Pass performance, repair parts available locally, product consistency with existing ATV fleet, warranty, availability, product literature, Purchasing a Polaris brand vehicle ensures that we will readily have parts and supplies available for maintenance and repair as needed from a local source. This is the first track type vehicle that we will purchase, and maintenance will be slightly different from the routine ATV .Repair parts available locally: We are 100 miles to the nearest city, so if we had to drive that distance to obtain parts or bring the vehicle in for repair that would be more burdensome and inefficient to refuge staff. Product Consistency: Most of the ATVs we already own are Polaris brand. Therefore, there could be sharing of parts and equipment. Purpose for PurchaseWe are currently looking to purchase an all terrain dual passenger vehicle with cargo box that will meet our needs for maintaining the big game fence at Sullys Hill National Game Preserve (SHNGP) and to traverse remote areas of Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR). First, at SHNGP, we have bison, elk, and white-tailed deer that are within a fence on about 600 acres. It is imperative to refuge management and disease management that the fence is maintained throughout the year. Of highest concern is the possible transmission of chronic wasting disease should the integrity of the fence be compromised. Typically, in the summer we can use a four-wheel drive four-wheeler, and in winters where there is enough snow we can use a snowmobile. However, during the fall, parts of the winter, and spring, it is difficult to access the fence line with these latter two vehicles because of muddy soil conditions and limited amounts of snow.