225-25 Sole Source Determination_8-15-2025_Redacted.pdf

Sole-Source Determination_rev01-31-24 (ODFW 7/24/2025) Page 1 of 3

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION AND JUSTIFICATION FOR

SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Date: 08/7/2025 To: April Brenden-Locke, Designated Procurement Officer, Contract Services, Administrative Services Division

From: Casey Brown, Research Wildlife Biologist Claire Duvall, Procurement and Contract Specialist

RE: Sole Source Determination pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 279B.075 and

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 125-247-0275

CSR: CSR #225-25 – Golden Eagle GPS Transmitters

Part A

1. Authority to enter into a Sole-Source Contract: OAR 125-246-0170(2)(c)(H)

2. Estimated Total Value of the Procurement:

3. Single or Multiple Purchases: Multiple Purchases – 10 units before the end of November 2025 and an additional 15 units between July 2026 and October 2026, ongoing data fees.

4. Proposed Contractors: Microwave Telemetry, Inc., Argos/CLS

5. Brief Description of Goods or Services to be procured: Purchase of 25 GPS Transmitters (45 g

Solar/ARGOS GPS PTTs) and associated data transmission fees for placement on Golden Eagles.

6. Background:

The agency has a need to document the survival and movement of golden eagles in northeast Oregon.

We need to have high-accuracy GPS platform transmitters that are also light enough to be attached to eagles. Additionally, we require solar powered units to yield long term data of seasonal migration and fine-scale habitat use. These units must be able to collect several GPS locations per day over a duration of at least 3 years. Additionally, units require activity sensors to assess behavioral activities of eagles in flight.

4. Findings:

While several platform transmitter terminal (ptt) manufacturers make a comparable product as the above request, we have already captured and fitted 5 golden eagles with Microwave Telemetry units in Winter 2025. Our bird banders with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have designed “backpacks” made of Kevlar webbing and custom fit straps to attach these specific units to the wings of the golden eagles. To maintain consistency in data collection, automation of data management, data analysis, and collaboration among agencies, we need to utilize transmitters from the same https://www.microwavetelemetry.com/solar_argos_gps_45g_ptt https://www.microwavetelemetry.com/solar_argos_gps_45g_ptt

Sole-Source Determination_rev01-31-24 (ODFW 7/24/2025) Page 2 of 3 manufacturer. Our primary reason for a sole source contract is to ensure compatibility with the data moving forward on this project.

A. Market Research Overall Finding.

Other manufacturers that make a similar product include:

1. Microwave Technology GPS/GSM 20-70

2. Lotek PinPoint Argos Solar

3. Lotek GoTel GPS Solar

4. Telonics GPS/Iridium Avian Systems

5. Telemetry Solutions 80-100

6. Ornitela OrniTrack50

All ptts listed above can be attached as platform transmitters on flying avian species. However, data formats, satellite acquisition approaches, and other technical details vary between manufacturers and to ensure consistency in the data, it is best for us to use the same ptt manufacturer across the entire effort. Several units listed above will not meet the attributes needed for project objectives. For example, ptts that transmit data via cell phone towers are not operational in areas without service (#1, #3, #6). It is also unclear how many points ptt units (#2) will collect per day. Because we need to accurately identify mortality events, we need data transmitted consistently over time and across the landscape. Finally, ptt units (#4 & #5) are likely too heavy to be attached to eagles. Sensors vary in data output between manufacturers and data collected by ptt from different manufacturers will not align with previously deployed units, making this data unusable and incomparable across capture efforts if different manufactures are used.

And

B. Findings of Fact pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2) must include, at a minimum, one of the following:

1. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(a): Compatibility. Provide findings supporting your determination that the efficient utilization of existing goods requires the acquisition of compatible goods or services from only one source.

Each manufacturer has the ability to produce a unit that meets our required specifications;

however, data formats, satellite acquisition approaches, activity data formats and interpretation, and methods and software for downloading data differ between manufacturers. To ensure consistency in data collection, management, and analysis approaches, we will need to purchase units from Microwave Technology to align with data that has already been collected.

In addition, please note that Microwave Technology sells the hardware only (ptt). This vendor works with Argos/CLS (satellite system) for data collection. As such, two contracts will be executed to obtain the ptts (Microwave Technology) as well as the data (Argos/CLS) that the Agency requires to successfully complete this project.

https://www.microwavetelemetry.com/gps_gsm_20-70_transmitters https://www.lotek.com/products/pinpoint-gps-argos-solar/ https://www.lotek.com/products/pinpoint-globalstar-solar-backpack/ https://www.telonics.com/products/gps4-avian/ https://www.telemetrysolutions.com/wildlife-tracking-devices/gps-backpacks/iridium-gps-backpacks/ https://www.ornitela.com/50g-transmitter

Sole-Source Determination_rev01-31-24 (ODFW 7/24/2025) Page 3 of 3

2. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(b): Exchange of Software or Data. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services required for the exchange of software or data with other public or private agencies are available from only one source.

The Agency is collaborating with USFWS as well as Oregon State University (OSU) to successfully complete this project. USFWS has shared the data received from the first 5 golden eagles captured and fitted in winter 2025 with us. We intend to share the data we obtain from these transmitters with both USFWS and OSU. To maintain consistency in our exchanged data, we need to procure these transmitters from the same source.

3. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(c): Pilot or Experimental Project. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services are for use in a pilot or an experimental project.

N/A

4. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(d): Other findings that support the conclusion that Supplies and Services are available from only one source may include but are not limited to considerations of:

unique design, availability, geographic location, exclusive authorized representative, cost of conversion, and warranty services.

N/A

Part B - Conditions of Approval will be inserted by ODFW-DPO.

April Brenden-Locke, Contract Services Manager, ODFW Date

8/14/2025