Notice Of Intent_1.pdf

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE

PUBLISHED.

Project Overview The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, hereafter referred to as the "Service", under authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956 has the responsibility for coordination of many wildlife management programs. Currently several of these programs, including the North American Banding Plan, various Waterfowl Council programs, research projects, and many conservation agency projects, both foreign and domestic, require the capture of large numbers of wildlife for banding, marking or other purposes. One of the most widely used methods for this type of capture involves the deployment of a capture net propelled with internal combustion rockets, commonly called "rocket-nets". In many situations, there is presently no effective substitute for rocket-nets in the live capture of many species of wildlife.

From 1965 the Service has used rocket-nets to achieve its’ monitoring goals. Rocket net charges are manufactured with military low-grade explosives. Due to the potential danger of using rocket-nets, in 2010, the Service developed policies and provided training for FWS personnel with the safe storage, transportation, and the deployment of rocket-nets. Recently, the Service has re-evaluated the rocket-net program as a whole and found that with existing technologies, the development of a device to propel nets and sustain the monitoring program without the use of explosives is achievable. The Service would like to pursue developing a Pneumatic Air Cannon System (hereafter; PACS) similar to paint guns and tee-shirt launchers for sporting events to replace rocket-nets. The PACS is typically small in size and a large-caliber projectile launcher that uses compressed air as a propellant.

Purposed System:

We propose the research and development for a PACS propelled by compressed air. We anticipate an individual PACS will be made from durable material to withstand environmental elements, abuse from being propelled, and propel a single projectile estimated weight between 5-8 lbs. We also require the capability for multiple PACS units (≤ 4 units) to be made so that they will simultaneously deploy projectiles, at various pressures, to propel various sized meshed nets weighing at maximum 45 lbs. and minimum < 5 lbs. We desire the awarded individual to measure and achieve a launch speed similar to the 3–4 rocket system that is currently used. The need for concealing units is essential in order to eliminate time for animals to become accustomed to a trap area. The PACS unit should be compact, no longer than less than 3 feet, a height of less than 15 inches, and have the ability to be painted for concealment.

The PACS will have a base to allow deployment from the ground and ultimately the capability to attach to a post. The PACS should be light in weight to allow personnel to deploy (approximately less than 25 lbs.). We desire the PACS unit to be able to hold air for a period without leaks during temperatures between 0 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and deployed in environments with high humidity and moisture (i.e., rain and snow). We desire the PACS to have the capability to be refilled by a portable tank of compressed air in the field and have a remote mechanism that will deploy multiple PACS simultaneously from a distance.

This notice will posted through the Contract Opportunities (FBO) (Search Contract Opportunities) link on https://beta.sam.gov. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the beta.SAM.gov site to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The associated North

American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 332994, Catapult guns manufacturing; the size standard is 1,000.

The Government intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by contacting Roger Lockhart, Contract

Employee via email only at roger_lockhart@fws.gov, no later than 2:00 PM ET on Thursday, December

10, 2020. Responses sent via other means (i.e. via telephone call, facsimile transmission, etc.) will not be considered. Information received will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is at the discretion of the Government.

Vendors must have an active SAM registration to receive Government contracts.

https://beta.sam.gov/ mailto:roger_lockhart@fws.gov