14 Sole Source Justification 1133371 EXECUTED.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA/APHIS/WS/NWRC

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

The National Wildlife Research Center CWD Project aims to refurbish and deploy existing Telonics TWG-4577-4 Iridium/GPS collars on free-ranging mule deer for research purposes.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The supplies to be refurbished are 20 Telonics TWG-4577-4 Iridium/GPS collars (10 configured for bucks and 10 configured for does). Telonics TWG-4577-4 Iridium/GPS collars are the only collars on the market that meet all study needs including a high fix rate and battery life (life estimate with 35 min fix interval and daily Iridium data uplink = 1 year), remotely programmable auxillary schedule and remote data acquisition control, built-in accelerometer for activity metrics, and auto-release mechanism.

Due to the nature of GPS Collar technology and the equipment being utilized by our lab, and many other researchers on these projects, there are no other companies capable of providing this equipment to the specifications we require.

The use of other brands of equipment would be incompatible with our existing equipment and may interfere with equipment already deployed for existing field work. The proprietary nature of acoustic telemetry equipment and the importance of compatibility with our existing equipment prevents the use of other brands.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

As determined by internet searches and collaborator knowledge, other collars do not offer all specific functions needed for this research (fix rate, life estimate, auxiliary scheduling, and data acquisition properties). The collars are already owned by the CWD Project, and no other company can refurbish to the original specification needed for this research (including integration into the existing study, fix rate, life estimate, auxiliary scheduling, and data acquisition properties).

This equipment will be used in conjunction with a collaborator’s existing study using existing compatible equipment. It will cause undue burden on Project personnel to deploy and utilize multiple collar types during difficult helicopter captures in Wyoming winters. The ability to quickly deploy collars is also essential for optimal animal survival after capture.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated total cost is $34,583.00.

6. Recommended source(s).

Company: TELONICS INC

UEI: J7KLBG5GCK14

Company Address: 932 E IMPALA AVE, MESA, AZ 85204 Company Point of Contact: Emma DiMarco, emma@telonics.com, 480-892-4444 Ext: 108

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Lindsay Parrie Program Manager

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Robert Zeglin Contracting Officer