A16_Single_Source_Justification_signed_1.pdf
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- Special Notice of Intent to Sole Source Award
- Solicitation number
- DOIFFBO260102
About this file
This is a Single Source Justification form (FWS Form 3-0034) for a federal acquisition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Joint Administrative Operations, Acquisitions Operations division.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to procure 20 autonomous recording units (ARUs) to detect Eastern Black Rails in marshes across South Atlantic states. The required units must be field-tested by Black Rail experts, rugged and weather-proof for deployment in rainy, humid, and hot conditions typical of Black Rail breeding seasons, compatible with existing equipment deployed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission project partner, and configurable via iPhone app. Market research identified three ARU manufacturers—Wildlife Acoustics, Audiomoth, and Cornell SwiftOne—as the most commonly used options for Black Rail research. Wildlife Acoustics was selected as the sole source based on unique qualifications: it is the only manufacturer offering an iPhone app for unit configuration, its units are ruggedized and water-proof, and competing manufacturers face availability issues (Audiomoth plastic casings listed as out of stock) and technical limitations (SwiftOne microphone placement challenges with customization). No barriers to competition were encountered. The cost is determined to be fair and reasonable as the single source providing necessary supplies. Program Officer Aimee Weldon certified the justification on May 13, 2026, and Contracting Officer Solmaz Salih approved the sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 on June 9, 2026.
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Text version
FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1. Description of Need
3. Other Capable Sources
2. Market Research Conducted
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.
SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
(UNDER SAT)
JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
Acquisitions Operations
4. Barriers 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
| Text3: As noted above, we reviewed ARU protocols for Black Rails, queried Black Rail experts about units they use, and reviewed recent scientific literature to identify ARU brands for comparison. | |
| Text2: We reviewed ARU protocols used by Black Rail researchers and asked Black Rail experts about their experiences with units in the field. We also reviewed recent scientific literature comparing different ARU models for bird research and Black Rail research in particular. We identified Wildlife Acoustics products, Audiomoth, and Cornell SwiftOne as the most commonly-used ARUs for Black Rail research (in order from most to least often used). We viewed the specifications of units made by these three manufacturers on their websites. | |
| Text1: We are seeking to purchase 20 autonomous recording units (ARUs) to detect Eastern Black Rails in marshes in the South Atlantic states. We are seeking units that have been vetted in the field by Black Rail experts. The units must be rugged and weather-proof for long deployments in rainy, humid, hot conditions typical of the Black Rail breeding season. We are seeking units that are compatible with those already being deployed by our project partner, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We are seeking a unit that is configurable via an iPhone app. | |
| Text4: We did not encounter barriers to competition. | |
| Text6: The cost is fair and reasonable from this source as it is the single source that provides the necessary supplies. | |
| 2026-05-13T12:19:30-0400 | |
| AIMEE WELDON |
| 2026-06-09T15:07:01-0600 | |
| SOLMAZ SALIH |
Text5: Wildlife Acoustics uniquely met our project needs. Of the three brands we compared, Wildlife Acoustics is the only one that has an iPhone app for configuring the unit. Additionally, Wildlife Acoustics units are rugged and water proof. The plastic casing for Audiomoths were listed as out of stock on their US distributor's website, and one Black Rail expert noted that preventing water damage during rainstorms was a challenge with Audiomoths. SwiftOnes can be fit into a customized Pelican case to be weatherproofed, but the microphone is within the case, creating an acoustic shadow. Finally, our project partner, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission already has and uses Wildlife Acoustics ARUs, so purchasing new Wildlife Acoustics units would ensure consistency and compatibility.
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