Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole Source Contract
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis to Telemetry Solutions located in Concord, CA to purchase 10 GPS collars and associated software and transmitter/reader hardware with remote download capability for deployment on free-ranging raccoons for antibiotic resistance research. Requirements are GPS collars with VHF transmitters, weight ≤60g, wireless UHF data communications for remote download, mortality signal and accuracy for the 96% circular error of probability to be less than 10 m. Telemetry Solutions is the only company that makes the collars with the necessary features needed to maintain essential capabilities for the research. Furthermore this research will be conducted in collaboration with APHIS National Wildlife Research Center partners that already possess GPS collars from Telemetry Solutions, thus, compatibility with their existing equipment is essential. These collars have the following features that are required: have VHF transmitters, weigh ≤60g, have wireless UHF data communications for remote download, mortality signal, low failure rate, and accuracy for the 96% circular error of probability to be less than 10 meters. APHIS collaborators have the expertise to trap raccoons, attach collars and collect the GPS data. Our collars must be compatible with their equipment and training as they will be the ones using them.
This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide this service are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Officer within 10 days of publication of this notice. All information received within 10 days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if the alternative equipment meets the Government's requirements and is capable of performing the intended task(s). All responses must be in writing and may be faxed to the attention of Donita Furman, fax 402-762-4145, or email at donita.furman@ars.usda.gov. Questions concerning this acquisition must be directed to Donita Furman, email donita.furman@ars.usda.gov.
Donita J. Furman, Phone 402-762-4145, Fax 402-762-4148, Email donita.furman@ars.usda.gov
