Sole Source Determination_CSR 431-23_12-11-23_Redacted.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION & JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

To: Contract Services

From: Darren Clark Date: 12/11/2023

Sole Source Determination pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 279B.075 and Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 125-247-0275 for:

Description of Goods or Services:

We wish to purchase up to 150 Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat Utrasonic recorders and stub microphones. The product SKUs are SMMINIBAT and SMMMICSTUB. These recorders will likely be purchased over 2 years as our budget will accommodate.

Reason for Need:

We need an acoustic recording unit (ARU) that can be used in harsh outdoor environments and withstand heat, cold, dust, moisture, animals investigating and attempting to destroy the ARU while still reliably collecting and storing full spectrum sound data. Additionally, ARUs need to sample at rates ranging from ultrasonic (192-500 kHz) to acoustic (8-96 kHz). This allows us to detect bat species as well as bird and land animals when not recording bats. ARUs will be used for data collection for research projects, so we require a product that will meet multiple research objectives. Specifically, the ARU should be able to:

• Detect both bat species and birds/amphibians

• Sample rates: both ultrasonic (192-500 kHz) and acoustic (8-96 kHz)

• Fully weatherproof casing

• Battery life ~500 hours

• Quality microphones

• Use both alkaline and NiMH rechargeable batteries

• Be programmed to schedule specific intervals throughout the day; multi-day programming

• Record full spectrum sound files

• Store up to 500 GB of data before reaching storage capacity

• Offer a multi-year warranty

• Offer software to configure recording sessions

Single of Multiple Purchases:

Multiple purchases over an approximately 2-year period.

Estimated Cost:

Research Leading to Determination:

We have provided market research that shows Wildlife Acoustics is the only commercial company that provides a professional acoustic recording unit for our research objectives.

Market Research:

We conducted extensive reviews on the internet using Google searching for key words related to acoustic recorders, ultrasonic recorders, acoustic and ultrasonic recorders, wildlife acoustic recorders, audio detection of wildlife, and wildlife recorders to identify potential products capable of passive detection of wildlife species. We also conducted literature review of scientific papers publishing results on recording wildlife species acoustically to identify potential manufacturers. After identifying potential manufacturers, we compared available models to our product specifications and found only one manufacturer that made a unit that would meet our research needs.

Based on our market research described above, Wildlife Acoustics is the only company that makes an acoustic recording unit capable of recording both acoustic and ultrasonic simultaneously. To meet the objectives of our research, monitoring both birds and bats, the Wildlife Acoustics Songe Meter Mini Bat 2 unit is the only product available to meet our research needs.

Wildlife Acoustics is the only ARU manufacturer that provides a professional model of recorder that meets our research objectives. The Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2 model is also the only ARU that meets all our field requirements for current research projects (see attached Table 1 detailing capabilities of most common ARU models with links to manufacturer’s websites). As the table shows, other ARUs on the market today are built for either detecting animals that vocalize within the acoustic range (8-96 kHz) or the ultrasonic range (192-500 kHz; see Table 1), but not both. We require a unit that can monitor in both ranges to meet research objectives and funding obligations which require simultaneous monitoring of both birds (acoustic) and bats (ultrasonic).

Lastly, the Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2 model is currently being used by project collaborators in ongoing research allowing for more efficient data management, analysis, and coordination.

Analysis of Research / Findings of Fact:

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.

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.

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.

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.

We have attached a letter from Wildlife Acoustics indicating they are the sole source provider of the Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2 unit. We have attached the letter with this request.

Attach letter from the product manufacturer stating they are the manufacturer/seller of the product and have no resellers, or that they are the authorized reseller for the area in which the purchase will be made. (Note: if the product is available through multiple resellers, we can get competition between resellers.)

APPROVED BY:

Ken Loffink, ASD Administrator, ODFW Date

12/11/23