The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) Wildlife Services in Fort Collins, CO, intends to issue a noncompetitive contract to GPS Collars AS of Donna Norway for 40 GPS/UHF digital ear tag transmitters and 10 UHF receivers for GPS data download. This Notice does not represent a commitment by the government to pay costs incurred from the preparation and/or submission of data in response to this notice. This purchase will be under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition 41 U.S.C. 253( c )(1) FAR 6.302-1 which states; The property or services needed are available from only one responsible qualified source at this time and no other type of property or services will satisfy these needs. Description : Wildlife research frequently requires documenting locations of study animals to determine where they live, forage, and reproduce as a basis for further determination of their activities on the landscape. When researching important details such as potential for disease transmission or damage to agriculture or other resources, accurate and precise locational information is essential to answering these questions. Traditionally, VHF radio collars were used to collect this type of information, though have been replaced by collars providing far less locational uncertainty by incorporating global positioning system (GPS) technology. However, immature, or juvenile wild animals may not be able to support or carry the weight a traditional radio collar. An alternative is to attach an ear tag to juveniles, which is much smaller, lighter, and less obtrusive. These ear tags then allow researchers to measure daily activity, movement rates, and survival status of a much larger proportion of the wildlife population. Wild pigs inflict immense damage to agricultural resources, native ecosystems, threatened and endangered species, and cultural and historic resources. Ear tags allow for tracking a much larger proportion of the population. Ear tags and their programming also allow for determination of mortality status of tagged wild pigs. TYPE OF CONTRACT Purchasing custom electronics at firm fixed price REQUIREMENTS To achieve the goals of the USDA APHIS WS NWRC Management of Ungulate Disease and Damage Project (MUDD), we request the purchase of the following equipment, with specific options, to help accomplish documenting feral swine movements and survival status. Item Description 40 GPS/UHF ear tag transmitters: Unique UHF digital ID for each ear tag Geofence ability Accelerometer sensor Solar panel for charging ear tag battery Ear tags must include unique lettering for identification Tags must weigh 90 days with 24+ locations/day GPS Collars AS ear tags may operate on solar and/or battery power. Their ear tags provide geofence capability, which allows the tag to turn on when proximate to receivers or focal sites. Other Requirements 10 UHF receivers for GPS data download Receivers must be portable, weather resistant, and operate independently of laptop and/or on-site operator Shipping Instructions The ear tags must be shipped within 2 months of receiving this contract The complete order will be shipped to: Justin W. Fischer USDA APHIS WS National Wildlife Research Center Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 The contractor will provide forty (40) GPS/UHF ear tag transmitters and ten (10) UHF receivers for GPS data download. See attached justification for other than full and open competition for more information. The USDA intends to issue a commercial firm-fixed price Purchase Order for this requirement. This notice of intent is NOT a request for proposals or competitive quotations. Request for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination not to compete this proposed action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Respondents should ensure the information provided is detailed, current, accurate and complete. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. However, if a firm believes it can meet the requirements it must furnish information about its products, pricing and specifications, as well as three (3) references for other customers who are using these products to the Contracting Specialist by 10:00 am Mountain Time (MT) on or before the closing date of this notice. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement. All information submitted should support the capability to provide the items required and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to cancel the Sole Source Award. The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334220 - Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, Small Business Size: 1,250 employees Responses received after the response date or without the required information will be deemed nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. Capability statements may be sent to: Contracting Officer, Jeanine Goral,
[email protected].