Sole Source Determination and Justification Request.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION AND JUSTIFICATION FOR

SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Date: 8/17/2026 To: James Spencer, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services Division, ODFW

From: Danielle Deming, State Wolf Coordinator Luca Wittenberg , Procurement and Contract Specialist II

RE: Sole Source Determination pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 279B.075 and

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 125-247-0275

CSR: 535-326-26

Part A

1. Authority to enter into a Sole-Source Contract: (ORS) 279B.075, (OAR) 125-247-0275

2. Estimated Total Value of the Procurement: $120,000

3. Single or Multiple Purchases: Multiple Purchase

4. Proposed Contractor: Reconyx , Inc. 3828 Creekside Land Holmen, WI 54636

5. Brief Description of Goods or Services to be procured: Purchase of 250 HyperFire 4k Professional Research Cameras

6. Background:

The ODFW Wolf Program requests the purchase of 250 professional-grade wildlife research cameras from Reconyx to support wolf population monitoring in northeastern Oregon. Reconyx cameras are currently used throughout Oregon to monitor wolf packs, document reproduction, estimate minimum counts, and collect other critical information used for wolf management.

Because wolves are wide-ranging and occur at relatively low densities, remote cameras provide an effective and non-invasive method for collecting data on pack composition, reproduction, and distribution. Reconyx cameras are specifically designed for professional wildlife research and provide the image quality, reliability, and technical specifications necessary to identify individual wolves and collect data that support Oregon's wolf management objectives.

The proposed cameras will also support the development and evaluation of an integrated population model (IPM) for Oregon wolves. Camera detections will be combined with existing monitoring data—including telemetry, pack observations, and mortality information—to improve population estimation and strengthen the scientific foundation for long-term wolf monitoring and management.

ODFW currently uses Reconyx cameras for statewide wolf monitoring and other wildlife research projects. Maintaining compatibility with our existing camera network is essential to ensure standardized image quality, metadata, and data formats for statewide analyses and population modeling. ODFW also collaborates extensively with neighboring state agencies and research partners who use Reconyx equipment, making compatibility critical for data sharing and coordinated analyses. Reconyx cameras possess unique design features and technical specifications required for these research applications and are only available from Reconyx, Inc.

7. Findings:

Reconyx is the only manufacturer that produces and sells professional wildlife remote cameras that are reliable, adjustable, have a 5-year warranty, and are compatible with our current Reconyx wildlife monitoring camera equipment and protocols. HyperFire 4K Professional Series Cameras boast Ultra High Definition Images and Videos in native 4K resolution. Unlike others, they do not use pixel interpolation to falsely exaggerate image resolution. True 4K resolution results in image and video quality that is far beyond other cameras. Professional Series Cameras are rated for higher and lower operating temperatures and are recommended for extreme environments, they also feature more programming options than our other camera models. 0.25 Second Trigger Speed coupled with the best Motion Sensing available means we will not miss photos. The NoGlow™ GEN3 High Output Infrared night vision reaches out to 150 feet (45 m). We currently use Reconyx cameras for deer surveys in the Santiam wildlife management unit and for other wildlife projects in Oregon. Compatibility is needed with our existing deer study so that all photo data is consistent and compatible with our research analysis and modeling efforts statewide. We also exchange data with fellow state collaborators and biologists who also use Reconyx cameras, and having the same research cameras are essential for consistent data sharing and analysis, so that our wildlife population data is accurate and compatible across the state. The Reconyx cameras have a unique design and specifications that we require for our wildlife studies and are only available from one source.

A. Market Research Overall Finding.

After extensive research through searches on the internet, peer reviewed scientific journals, communication with colleagues who work on similar projects and attending multiple professional meetings such as the annual Oregon chapter of the Wildlife Society Meeting, it has become apparent that Reconyx Inc. company in North America produces the most reliable and adjustable remote camera for wildlife research that we require for our study. Through market research of camera providers, we have found that Reconyx is the only provider capable of meeting our specifications and remaining consistent with current wildlife research occurring.

Professional model remote cameras (e.g., Reconyx) are designed for research and incorporate higher-Quality components (e.g., Sensors, cameras lens, etc.), have customizable options, and are more expensive (Pizante 2020). Reconyx cameras can detect species that typically are missed by recreational cameras, and they do not produce malfunctions (Pizante 2020). Other camera manufacturers produce cameras for recreational users, have limited functions, are less reliable and have high data loss and missed photos (Newey et al. 2015). See table 1 for a manufacturer breakdown of unique features below:

Table 1

Reconyx Features that other manufacturers do not have:

- Highly customizable photo and video settings- Custom Focus

- 5-year product warranty

- Expert Support based in the USA.

- Primary Application is Wildlife Research

- No Pixel Interpolation 8MP/4K resolution

- Flash range of 150 ft

- 1000 GB Storage capacity

- Code lock Pass-Code Protection if stolen.

And

B. Findings of Fact pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2) must include, at a minimum, one of the following:

1. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(a): Compatibility. Provide findings supporting your determination that the efficient utilization of existing goods requires the acquisition of compatible goods or services from only one source.

The cameras needed for this collaborative study among colleagues and partner organizations must be consistent and compatible among these organizations to achieve a cohesive study result. We are currently utilizing Reconyx cameras in district activities to monitor deer/elk/predator population projects and studies throughout the state. We must continue to utilize cameras from Reconyx for compatibility issues as the settings and functions on these cameras are unique and if we are required to use a different brand of camera this will alter our current research data collection methods, thereby affecting all of our population density calculations.

2. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(b): Exchange of Software or Data. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services required for the exchange of software or data with other public or private agencies are available from only one source.

Data will be shared across the collaborating partners and must be from standard and compatible equipment.

Make Model Photo Resolution (MP) Pixel Interpolation Flash Range (ft) Storage Capacity (Gb) Warranty Price Manufact uNotes Reconyx 4K Professional Wildlife 8MP at 4K No 150 1000 5 years $449.99 USA Highly customizable photo and video settings Stealth Cam DS4K Ultimate 32 Yes 100 128 1 year $249.99 China

Bushnell Core DS No Glow 30 Yes 80 32 2 years $273.99 Thailand

Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow 32 Yes 120 512 2 years $179.95 USA

Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 24 Yes 100 512 1 year $189.99 China

Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 24 Yes 130 512 1 year $179.99 China

Browning Dark Ops Pro DCL Nano 26 Yes 100 512 1 year $179.99 Phillippines Cuddeback Double Barrel 20 Yes 100 64 1 year $200.00 USA Potentially discontinued, or low stock Cuddeback PowerHouse Black Flash 20 Yes 75 64 1 year $200.00 USA Potentially discontinued, or low stock Vikeri 4K Vikeri 4K 32 Yes 80 128 1 year $69.99 China

Spypoint FORCE-PRO-S 2.0 48 Yes 90 512 2 years $149.99 China

Wildgame In nMirage 2.0 Lightsout 30 Yes 90 32 1 year $129.99 USA

3. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(c): Pilot or Experimental Project. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services are for use in a pilot or an experimental project.

N/A

4. Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(d): Other findings that support the conclusion that Supplies and Services are available from only one source may include but are not limited to considerations of:

unique design, availability, geographic location, exclusive authorized representative, cost of conversion, and warranty services.

Our findings support that Reconyx, Inc., is the only provider capable of meeting our specifications and remaining consistent with our current and proposed wildlife research projects. Reconyx cameras have unique design features that other manufacturers do not have, and they build cameras for wildlife research applications. No other camera manufacturer specifically designs cameras for wildlife research professionals. Unique features of these cameras are: Highly customizable photo and video settings- Custom Focus, No Pixel Interpolation 8MP/4K resolution, Flash range of 150 ft, 1000 GB Storage capacity, and a 5-year product warranty, longer than anyone else, with Expert Support based in the USA.

Part B - Conditions of Approval will be inserted by ODFW-DPO.

Ken Loffink, Chief Operating Officer, ODFW Date

Literature:

Pizante, R. 2020. Variation in the efficacy of remote cameras used to monitor wildlife, CJUR 5:6-14

Newey, S., Davidson, P., Nazir, S., Fairhurst, G., Verdicchio, F., Irvine, R.J. and Van Der Wal, R., 2015. Limitations of recreational camera traps for wildlife management and conservation research: A practitioner’s perspective. Ambio, 44(Suppl 4), pp.624-635.

Reconyx. 2018. Hyperfire HP4K Professional: User Manual. January 2025 from https://media.reconyx.com/api/v1/media/public/www/files/manuals/hyperfire_4k/HyperFire_4K_Professional_ User_Guide_2024_12_20_FINAL_v2.pdf

8/17/26 https://media.reconyx.com/api/v1/media/public/www/files/manuals/hyperfire_4k/HyperFire_4K_Professional_User_Guide_2024_12_20_FINAL_v2.pdf https://media.reconyx.com/api/v1/media/public/www/files/manuals/hyperfire_4k/HyperFire_4K_Professional_User_Guide_2024_12_20_FINAL_v2.pdf https://media.reconyx.com/api/v1/media/public/www/files/manuals/hyperfire_4k/HyperFire_4K_Professional_%20User_Guide_2024_12_20_FINAL_v2.pdf https://media.reconyx.com/api/v1/media/public/www/files/manuals/hyperfire_4k/HyperFire_4K_Professional_%20User_Guide_2024_12_20_FINAL_v2.pdf