A16__Single_Source_Justification__PR_40635270_Ranch_Receivers_BKM_signed_1.pdf

FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(UNDER SAT)

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS

Acquisitions Operations

Pursuant to FAR subpart 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Instructions: The information in the text boxes are provided as sample language or to indicate a needed fill-in. Sample language should be removed from the final document. All text boxes require information and shall not be left blank.

1. Description of Need We are utilizing Advanced Telemetry Systems (ATS) for ranch receivers that were designed by ATS engineers for the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program to prevent wolf/livestock depredations. These ranch receivers are intended to be used by members of the public who have livestock so that they can monitor the general location of a Mexican wolf without being able to use the receiver to find the exact location of the Mexican wolf and potentially causing take.

These receivers were designed by ATS to have a fixed gain in place that cannot be manipulated, which addresses the concern of people being able to walk in on a wolf and potentially causing take.

The receivers also manipulate the frequency. Mexican wolf biologists work in the 164-168 range, and when the receiver is programed, it subtracts 8 and displays that number on the unit. So for example, if we have a frequency of 164.575 the unit will show 156.575. While in use, the sound from the receiver increases in strength as you get closer, but as you get too close it gets hard to tell exactly where the signal is coming from. So for the purpose of ranchers knowing if a wolf is in or around their cattle this unit should serve that goal without creating a risk of take for an endangered species. Typically, receivers are designed to lead the user right to the animal they are attempting to monitor or track.

It is critical to the Mexican wolf project that these ranch receivers perform as described above and are effective. ATS receivers have been utilized by the project and perform flawlessly. All telemetry equipment is chosen because of our vast experience of trial and error. It is not an option to go backwards and select inferior equipment, especially when it must be designed differently than how the equipment normally works.

In summary, sole source is requested and appropriate because: (1) having reliable ranch receivers that assist members of the public to accurately monitor when a Mexican wolf is present in the same area as their livestock, without being able to locate the Mexican wolf’s exact location and thus enabling take is critical to the safety of Mexican wolves and (2) only ATS has designed this receiver so that exact locations of the Mexican wolves cannot be determined. The Mexican wolf project would like to buy 10 units from ATS.

2. Market Research Conducted

3. Other Capable Sources

4. Barriers to Competition

Ranch receivers that do not lead the user directly to the location of the Mexican wolf were not available until ATS engineers created this feature.

ATS is the only company who have had the capability to engineer this feature.

Because ATS is the only company, there are no barrier to competition.

5. Contractor's Qualifications

6. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

7. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office

Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Program / Project Officer

8. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: Under SAT

Based on the above justification, I hereby certify and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 for this purchase.

Contracting Officer

ATS engineers were able to develop this technologic feature.

A representative with ATS was able to keep the cost of these modified ranch receivers at the same cost as their unmodified receivers.