GPS/GSM telemetry transmitter

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services intends to issue a sole source award to MICROWAVE TELEMETRY INC (UEI: H9ZBVNKDFRM3) for telemetry transmitter. This is NOT a request for quotes or proposals. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to Contracting Officer, Kim Yen Tu, at [email protected] via e-mail only (no phone calls/voice mail messages regarding questions will not be accepted and will not receive a response). ----- United States Department of Agriculture Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 2820 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32641 Contracting Activity: USDA APHIS WS NWRC 4101 Laporte Ave Fort Collins CO 80521 2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved. Due to the circumstances described below, the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center proposes to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition, and negotiate a sole source, firm fixed-price contract with Microwave Telemetry, Inc. 3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value). In support of program mission requirements, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center is undertaking a wildlife damage management research project which seeks to use GPS/GSM telemetry to determine Black vulture metapopulation dynamics, landscape use, and movement and migration patterns in response to management efforts, specifically targeting vultures using livestock facilities in Midwest and South-Central states. The project will encompass a collaborative effort where Black vultures will be trapped, fitted with GPS capable GSM transmitters, and released. The primary purpose of the transmitters is to use the data provided by them to develop fine-scale movement models for black vultures in relation to livestock production areas that will allow us to learn how to mitigate the damage that American farmers are experiencing by way of losing calves. In order document fine-scale movements during the day, collecting position data with one minute transmission frequency is essential to the success of the project. We also require transmitters that are durable and can collect data for multiple years. Under a recent contract, we have identified and purchased 16 transmitters that are designed and manufactured in a way that meets our equipment needs. However, we have determined that we need additional units to meet our requirement for a statistically robust study that is scientifically sound. Therefore, for this contract, our GPS/GSM telemetry equipment requirement is: Eight (8) Microwave Telemetry GPS/GSM 20-70, 45 gram model transmitters The estimated value of this acquisition is $30,000.00. Transmitter Specifications: Dimensions: L 3.3" (83.8) x W 1.15" (29.2) x H 0.80" (20.3) (mm) Weight: 45 grams Antenna: Hard nylon coated flexible stranded marine grade stainless steel, 3.35" (85 mm) long, protruding from the back edge of the transmitter 45 degrees to the bottom face. Construction: Lightweight glass reinforced epoxy composite material, plated on the inside with a continuous metal coating. The final seal is a metal to metal solder, hermetically sealed to changes in temperature and humidity. Sensors: Includes sensors to measure temperature, battery voltage, animal activity, as well as a sixteen channel GPS receiver that senses position, altitude, heading and speed. The maximum altitude is 2047m; the maximum speed in 127 km/h. General Electrical Specifications: Operating frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz Power output: 2W output is standard Operating temperature range: 15 to 45 Deg C Transmitter Features: • Internal micro-power GPS receiver • GPS horizontal accuracy ± 18m (CEP 85% -verified) • GPS vertical accuracy ± 22m • GPS resolution 0.00001 degree (approximately 1 meter at equator) • Solar powered • Ultra-high efficiency solar cells ensure battery charging in all weather conditions • Microprocessor-controlled intelligent power management to allow the transmitter to collect data during the day and night • Dynamically adjusted GPS fix rate; rate of fix acquisition increases with higher battery voltage, decreases with lower battery voltage. Daytime fix acquisition rate ranges from 1 minute to 2 hours, depending on the battery voltage. At night, the transmitter goes into a more conservative data collection mode in which the data collection interval expands from half an hour up to 4 hours. • Dataset transmitted once a day. If the unit is not in a location with GSM service, data are stored until transmission is possible • GPS location data include altitude, Lat/Long coordinates, HDOP, VDOP and number of satellites used to obtain the fix • Equipped with 4G LTE-M module with 2G backup • Transmitter archives up to 258,000 locations • Temperature, battery voltage and activity sensors • 3.35 inch (85 mm) external antenna produces a stronger radiated signal than a concealed internal antenna; better signal-to-noise ratio for better reception in low coverage areas • Configured for backpack attachment • Operating lifetime up to three years • One year warranty against electronic failure • Mandatory PTCRB certification and CE Marking to ensure compliance with FCC and Mobile Network Operators Standards (PTCRB Operators may block devices from their network if they are not PTCRB certified) • Made in the USA 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. Microwave Telemetry is currently one of only a few manufacturers that makes a solar powered GSM/GPS capable avian transmitter with 4G LTE cellular capability, with location, speed, direction and altitude capability, and that is small enough (≤ 45 g) to attach to vultures and still meet regulatory requirements that apply to marking migratory birds. One feature that sets Microwave Telemetry’s transmitters apart is the specialized electronic components they use that maximize solar gain and battery charge allowing data collection at a higher resolution, which is what we require for our studies (up to one location per minute). Another feature exclusive to Microwave Telemetry’s transmitters is the transmitter case construction using glass reinforced epoxy composite material with continuous internal coatings and seals resulting in an extremely durable and water-tight construction. Due to the significant investment of time and money required to capture vultures and deploy transmitters, we require transmitters that are durable and last for multiple years of service. Other companies transmitters are less durable and some are rated to be water resistant at best. Wildlife transmitter reliability is in general a significant challenge, as many companies have products that will have failure rates up to 50%. This information cannot be captured in a market search, as the companies do not report their failure rates. We have experienced a >90% success/reliability rate with Microwave Telemetry, which is unheard of in the business of wildlife transmitters. This is the 4th project utilizing this manufacturer’s satellite transmitter technology. Additionally, Microwave Telemetry GPS/GSM transmitters are made in the USA and are FCC, PTCRB, Industry Canada, and CE certified. Some manufacturers’ GSM transmitters do not have external antennas, but the external antenna used in Microwave Telemetry’s tranmitter produces a stronger radiated signal than a concealed internal antenna; this provides a better signal-to-noise ratio for better reception in low coverage areas. Additionally, Microwave Telemetry GPS/GSM transmitters are equipped with 4G/LTE modules ensuring that the transmitters will remain serviceable for the foreseeable future. This is a critical feature due to United States cellular service providers phasing out 2G and 3G service, rendering numerous wildlife transmitters equipped with this technology obsolete. Since this is a continuation of a long-term research project on vulture movements, maintaining data continuity by using standardized, serviceable platforms for analysis, is crucial for this project. 6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. There are a limited number of companies that manufacture transmitters designed for use on large raptors. In general, these companies manufacture transmitters designed around their own proprietary electronics platforms, each of which have specific features, abilities, and limitations. We performed an internet review of known manufacturers and integrators of GSM transmitter technology and we did not produce any company or source capable of meeting our specifications, with the exception of Microwave Telemetry. 7. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted. We performed an internet review of known manufacturers and integrators of GSM transmitter technology and we did not produce any company or source capable of meeting our specifications, with the exception of Microwave Telemetry. We also performed a Google search with the terms “GPS GSM avian transmitter solar backpack 4G LTE” and variations thereof. Many companies still produce units that rely on obsolete 2G and 3G technology, or their units collect data at daytime intervals of 30 minutes or greater. With the exception of Microwave Telemetry, none meet our requirement. 8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. We seek to acquire these transmitters in support of the present study of fine-scale movement models for black vultures in relation to livestock production. These transmitters will be additional units of the same model and type of transmitters recently acquired for this study. Data collected from this study, however, will also support an overarching long-term research project on vulture movements. Utilizing the same equipment with standardized, serviceable platforms ensures we maintain continuity in our data collection. This continuity is crucial to using the data to support multiple avenues of vulture-related investigation that are important to our agency mission. We also benefit from a multiplier effect, wherein we can open new investigations using the existing data set, without incurring additional expense. Changing transmitter platforms could jeopardize our ability to collectively analyze this long-term data set, which represents a significant investment of money, time, and resources.