A04_SOW_40589144.pdf

GPS transmitters to study demographics and movement ecology of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens

Specifications

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requires Solar GPS PTT transmitters to determine home range size, movement and habitat selection, and population size of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens. We require 20 12-g Solar GPS PTT tags that use GPS and Argos Doppler location/ fix types. Tags greater than 12 g will not be accepted, as they do not meet our needs. Location information saved should include Lat/Long, Date/Time, Couse, Speed, and Altitude. Moreover, the sensor information should include battery voltage, activity, temperature, transmission counter, and PTT uptime. Given that we need the size of those Solar GPS PTT tags to be at most 12 g, then the physical specifications should be no more than 2.1 inches in length, 0.83 inches in width, 0.50 inches in height, and have an antenna length <8 inches. As mentioned above, the power source of the GPS PTT tags will rely on solar array with rechargeable battery, transmit frequency of

401.650 MHz, 60 s rep rate standard (adjustable), and up to 3+ years operating life. The GPS accuracy must be less than +- 15 meters. Moreover, pricing should include camouflage painting in the pattern of Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. The color pattern Sage Grouse does not meet our needs. Moreover, pricing should also include neoprene pads (T-shape and camo painted), PTT tracker data decoding software, and VHF testing and attachment. The VHF testing and attachment will be done in coordination with us as we will supply the glue on VHF transmitters.

Also note, we want to receive the equipment, fully programmed, VHF transmitter attached, and camouflaged by November 1st 2022.

Background

The Division of Biological Sciences provides biological, spatial, and statistical expertise to protect species and habitats living in the US Fish and Wildlife Service Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8. The Division advances management using scientific studies and the transmitters and receivers will be used to achieve Attwater’s Prairie Chicken monitoring objectives. This work will be used to help inform survival, habitat use, and movement of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens at Refugio-Goliad Prairie, Texas.

Scope

The Division of Biological Sciences in collaboration with Attwater’s Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge is seeking to conduct a joint study to develop a set of monitoring objectives and procedures that can be used to estimate abundance, movement and habitat use of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens at Refugio-Goliad Prairie, Texas. These 12 g Solar GPS PTT transmitters will be used to tag and monitor up to 20 Attwater’s Prairie Chickens at a time. Our objectives are determine the population status, distribution, and demographics of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens in the Refugio-Goliad Prairie, while determining home range size and habitat selection.

The study areas is comprised of native prairie and shrub habitat. The GPS PTT receivers will be fitted to a backpack/ rump-mounting harness, released, and their movements monitored. Satellite-marked birds will be tracked using the GPS/Argos system. These GPS transmitters should be programmed to acquire 6 locations per day from 0400-2200 hours via satellite from 1 November to 30 March, then locations will be taken every 2 hours from 0400-2200 hours resulting in ~ 10 locations per day per bird from 31 March to 31 October. Locations should be programmed to be uploaded every 3-4 days when the likelihood of a satellite pass is greatest.

In January 2023, the study will begin to monitor movements and describe habitat of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens. Throughout this process transmitters will be inspected for damage, returned to be reconfigured, and data downloaded to assess data quality. It would be helpful to speak to a customer service representative to inform study design decisions, range testing pilot studies, ect.., thus having access to those services is needed.

Basis for Award

Award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror. In order to be considered technically acceptable, offeror shall provide technical brochures, illustrations, pictures, and/or literature, to show proof the vendor has experience specifically dealing with scientific investigations with state, federal, and non-governmental agencies.

Proposed acoustic transmitters, hydrophones, data collection devices, and receivers must meet all of the minimum specifications characteristics listed above.

Equipment should not arrive until November 1st 2022 fully programmed, camouflaged (Attwater’s Prairie Chicken), and VHF equipped. After equipment is unloaded at deliver location (David Stewart, US Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold Avenue SW, Room 4004, Albuquerque, NM 87103), each box and equipment piece should be inspected for damages.

Before August 2022, a video/phone call should be scheduled between us and a technical representative to assist with deployment and retrieval strategies, data management steps and processes, and maintenance schedules.

Evaluation Evaluation will be conducted using the lowest price technically acceptable process. To be determined technically acceptable, Vendor must demonstrate/provide through illustrations, brochures, literature, or pictures (visual proof) you have previous experience specifically in working with state, federal, and non-governmental agencies with supplying Solar GPS PTT telemetry equipment to investigate movement and demographic rates of avian species. The equipment must be scientifically acceptable by standards set by the scientific community.

The award of this requirement shall be made using the policies in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation, and award prescribed in Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as appropriate for this acquisition. Award shall be made to the vendor whose quotation, conforming to this RFQ, is determined to be the most advantageous to the government, cost or price and the other non-cost or nonprice factors listed above.

Deliverable

Delivery will be to the David Stewart, US Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold Avenue SW, Room 4004, Albuquerque, NM 87103 (307-231-4778) no later than November 1st 2022. Delivery, storage and handling of the Solar GPS PTT telemetry equipment shall be in accordance with the manufacturers Handling and Storage instructions. The Vendor shall assume responsibility for packaging to prevent normal transit and handling damage to the tanks.

Warranty Acoustic transmitters, receivers, and all other equipment shall carry at least the standard one year factory warranties against manufacturer defects.