Attachment_3-_Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

Brand name justification format.doc

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

BRAND NAME ONLY

BACKGROUND:

Purchase of 4 GPS Ecotone Felis GPS-GSM-UHF collars, 6 Ecotone LYNX GPS-GSM/GPRS, and 6

Ecotone Impala GPSGSM/ GPRS-UHF collars for the roadway project “Evaluation of wildlife connectivity along the 101 Freeway at the Conejo Grade prior to lane expansion.” The use of these GPS collars will be part of our ongoing research across the region to look at the impacts of roadways on wildlife. More specifically the GPS collars will be used to monitor 101 freeway crossing points and the surrounding natural habitat for use by different species of wildlife rabbit sized and larger.

The Ecotone solar powered collars Felis GPS-GSM-UHF, LYNX GPS-GSM/GPRS, and Impala

GPSGSM/ GPRS-UHF collars for fox, bobcats, and coyotes are the lightest collars on the market that still have two-way communication and frequent fix rates for a year period. Two-way communication capability is especially important for small GPS collar with solar panels as seasonal changes in solar charging rates requires remote programming to maintain battery life. Additionally, as part of our on-going effort to understand the impacts of human influences such as large fires and roadways on the movements and survival of wildlife in the region, these wildlife collars are currently deployed on other projects including the 101 freeway crossing study at Liberty Canyon and the 118 Rocky Peak Study. Thus, to maintain scientific consistency it is critical to purchase the same type of GPS collars which will allow comparison between studies. Data consistency is important for data standardization and analyses. We also with the programming interface used to program the GPS schedule for the collars and have pre-programed settings that will allow us to keep our cameras consistent with other similar projects.

Collecting information with the same GPS collars holds method errors to a minimum and is necessary for the continuation of reliable research and continuity between projects.

1) FAR Statutory Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c )(2 ), FAR 6.302-1, Brand Name Only and Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

• Reason for Authority Cited: The use of the following BRAND NAME description is essential to the

Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured or installed by another company:

• Ecotone Solar Powered Collars Felis GPS-GSM-UHF, LYNX GPS-GSM/GPRS, and GPSGSM/

GPRS-UHF, https://en.ecotone.com.pl/, Lech Iliszko Słowackiego 12, 81-871 Sopot, Poland EU-VAT: PL5851060654.

2) BRAND NAME description to meet the Park’s needs:

Due to Scientific research requiring no deviations in the variables of the equipment, it is crucial for all equipment, and settings are uniform giving the most accurate data.

Highlights in yellow are required:

Ecotone Felis Collar GPS-GSM-UHF for fox o Data upload from memory when GSM network is available o GSM network capable to allow for two-way communication across cellular network

▪ Enables data transfer and settings change in places where even very weak 2G or

3G GSM signal is present https://en.ecotone.com.pl/

▪ Data collected in GPS-SMS data bank: GPS position, activity, temperature, battery voltage, GSM signal strength, logger operating parameters & activity report “report 48” send in one SMS daily o Double solar panel o Memory 30 000 GPS positions o Extra onboard battery

▪ DPS - double powering system, solar rechargeable battery and lithium battery for periods with no solar charging.

o GPRS network capable for more frequent, less costly location data

▪ This communication method allows transmission of almost unlimited data quantities, including acceleration and TDR data.

o Units transmit data directly to an online web panel o Capable of 2 hour fix rate for at least 1 year o SMS buffer saves battery o UHF remote connection for hand-held receiver data transfers o 80 grams total weight o 5-year battery life o Light weight/flexible collar material o Compatible with current UHF base station from previous project o Switching on/off: magnetic & software switch, 1 colour LED communication.

o -Voltage control: Optional automatic GPS interval control, standby < safe voltage to protect battery

Ecotone LYNX GPS-GSM/GPRS for coyotes o GSM network capable to allow for two-way communication across cellular network

▪ Enables data transfer and settings change in places where even very weak 2G or

3G GSM signal is present

▪ Data collected in GPS-SMS data bank: GPS position, activity, temperature, battery voltage, GSM signal strength, logger operating parameters & activity report “report 48” send in one SMS daily o Double solar panel o Memory 30 000 GPS positions o Extra onboard battery

▪ DPS - double powering system, solar rechargeable battery and lithium battery for periods with no solar charging.

o GPRS network capable for more frequent, less costly location data

▪ This communication method allows transmission of almost unlimited data quantities, including acceleration and TDR data.

o Units transmit data directly to an online web panel o Capable of 2-hour fix rate for at least 1 year o SMS buffer saves battery o UHF remote connection for hand-held receiver data transfers o ~ 250 grams total weight o 5-year battery life o Light weight/flexible collar material o Compatible with current UHF base station from previous project o Switching on/off: magnetic & software switch, 1 colour LED communication.

Ecotone Impala GPSGSM/GPRS-UHF collar for bobcats o GSM network capable to allow for two-way communication across cellular network

▪ Enables data transfer and settings change in places where even very weak 2G or

3G GSM signal is present

▪ Data collected in GPS-SMS data bank: GPS position, activity, temperature, battery voltage, GSM signal strength, logger operating parameters & activity report “report 48” send in one SMS daily o Double solar panel o Memory 30 000 GPS positions o Extra onboard battery

▪ DPS - double powering system, solar rechargeable battery and lithium battery for periods with no solar charging.

o GPRS network capable for more frequent, less costly location data

▪ This communication method allows transmission of almost unlimited data quantities, including acceleration and TDR data.

o Units transmit data directly to an online web panel o Capable of 2-hour fix rate for at least 1 year o SMS buffer saves battery o UHF remote connection for hand-held receiver data transfers o 190-250 grams total weight o 5-year battery life o Light weight/flexible collar material o Compatible with current UHF base station from previous project o Switching on/off: magnetic & software switch, 1 colour LED communication.

3) Market Research conducted (efforts to obtain other BRAND NAME) or state reason for not conducting market research:

• Current Market research shows limited resources for the purchase of the Ecotone GPS trackers.

• Due to the scientific nature of this requirement only the brand and models listed can be used.

• Mandatory sources did not result in any sources.

• Contract specialist contacted Ecotone via email on 08/29/2023 for market research, for pricing and available distributers in the US, and was also given only one distributer.

4) Other Factors to support BRAND NAME only:

• Sensitive scientific research data needing the same equipment to limit variables affecting the results. This requires the same Brand being used in other agencies and locations.

5) Technical Certification:

I certify that due to the GPS devises being used for scientific research, there is only one available brand to use, which is Ecotone Inc.