JOFOC Signed 143051240127_Redacted.pdf

Version 2.0

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

143051-24-0127

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants

Office (AGO), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Fisheries Ecology Division (FED)

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

The fabrication and delivery of 18 solar-powered pop-up satellite tags to examine horizontal migration patterns, behavior and survival of ESA-listed adult steelhead in the California current (north Pacific Ocean).

Delivery: On or before February 1, 2025 Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Desert Star Systems LLC 510 Lighthouse Ave Pacific Grove, CA 93950

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Other - Only one source is capable The SeaTag-GEO pop-up satellite tag manufactured by Desert Star Systems LLC is the smallest solar powered pop-up satellite tag currently offered by any manufacturer capable of provides data on geolocation (via both light and magnetic field) and water temperature. Our previous experience using pop-up satellite tags has revealed that our study animals are largely surface dwelling, making solar power a suitable and preferred option for within-deployment data acquisition and tag status assessment. Further, our previous experiences have revealed that tag size/burden has a major influence on fish behavior and survival, and chiefly constrains the size of animals that can be effectively studied. The SeaTag-GEO tag has a published weight of <42 grams in air (8.3 g flotation in saltwater, 7.3 g flotation in freshwater), thus generating a minimal tag burden (i.e., tag mass to fish mass ratio in water) and making it uniquely suitable for the size of fish expected in our study (i.e., post-spawning adult steelhead [kelts] as small as 1kg in wet mass).

5. Market Research.

Discussions with various tag manufacturers and engineers indicated that Desert Star Systems is the sole manufacturer of solar-powered pop-up satellite tags capable of providing near-real time migration and oceanographic data. This is achieved via opportunistic transmissions to the Argos satellite network when the tag/animal is proximate to the water’s surface, which is the habit of

143051-24-0127

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104 our study species (adult steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss). Additionally, field testing revealed that the relatively small size (small tag burden) of the SeaTag-GEO relative to other tag manufacturers/types was most suitable for the size and body form of steelhead we are expected to encounter at our research site (Scott Creek, Central California).

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

7. Determination (Required)

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Insert name) Date Contracting Officer