Sole_Source_Determination for Electrofisher20230127.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION & JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

To: Contract Services

From: Paul Olmsted Date: 1/17/2023

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:

Smith-Root LR-24 Lithium Electrofisher with extra battery and case

• LR-24 Electrofisher

• Electrode Pole

• Electrode Ring

• Lithium battery

• Battery Charger

• Electrofishing Class voucher

• Extra Battery

• Heavy Duty carrying case

Reason for Need:

Requesting purchase for a new electrofisher for the Private Forest Accord biologist located in Corvallis.

End of fish determinations dictate forest management and rules around streams and riparian buffers.

Electrofishing is the most reliable and effective way to make end of fish determinations in most streams throughout Oregon. The Private Forest Accord biologist is required to make end of fish determinations, when necessary, before the harvest of timber. This purchase will allow the Private Forest Accord biologist to obtain and maintain their own electrofisher for field work throughout the season. Correct end of fish determinations is critical for protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats throughout the state and are under new regulation with the Private Forest Accord agreement.

Single of Multiple Purchases:

Single purchase

Estimated Cost:

$14,567.00

Research Leading to Determination:

In my research I found two vendors for this type of electrofishing equipment, Smith Root and ETS.

After talking with other biologists around the state who had extensive experience with both brands of electro fishers it was determined that the Smith Root unit would be the only electro fisher that has the features and capability to perform the work that the Private Forest Accord stream biologist will be conducting. Also, the South Willamette Watershed office located at Adair Village has a Smith Root and an ETS unit. These two units were field tested by the Private Forest Accord biologist and determined that the Smith Root unit is the only unit that has specific features that are required to do this work effectively and safely. The Smith Root LR-24 electro fisher has unique features that are only available with their electro fishers including: 1) a built-in conductivity sensor and 2) multiple safety sensors 3) streamline design that will stand up to use in very brushy habitats.

1) Conductivity sensor: All bodies of water (stream or lake) have a unique makeup of minerals and turbidity based on the local geology that determine conductivity. This conductivity dictates how electricity will pass through the water. A certain mountain creek in the Cascade Range of Oregon will have a different conductivity than a low gradient Willamette Valley stream. When electrofishing in these different types of water the unit must be adjusted based on the conductivity. This adjustment is crucial to ensure that the proper amount of electricity is being emitted into the water so that it doesn’t “over-shock” the fish and cause harm or mortality.

Smith Root has a system called the “Programmable Output Waveform” concept that measures the conductivity and automatically adjusts to the conditions. The areas that will be sampled with this electrofishing unit contains several ESA listed species including upper Willamette Spring Chinook, upper Willamette Winter Steelhead, and lower Columbia Coho salmon. Ensuring the electro fisher has been properly adjusted to the conductivity is required to sample these streams with ESA listed species. The ETS unit doesn’t have this function and would require carrying an additional piece of equipment into the field to measure the conductivity. This is not feasible for end of fish surveys that often require long hikes into remote areas to conduct this work. Carrying additional pieces of equipment in addition to a large electro fisher by one person is not possible, practical, or safe.

2) Safety Features: The Private Forest Accord stream biologist will be conducting most of their end of fish determines alone in remote areas making safety a primary concern. Using electricity in the water poses safety concerns for the fish in the stream as well as the people operating the electro fishers. The Smith Root has safety features that are not found on other models and are required to safely conduct this work. These features include tilt and immersion sensors, twin audible alarms when unsafe conditions are detected, and an Anode-Out-of-the-Water sensor.

These features will stop electrical current if the user falls, falls into the water, or if the anode comes out of the water. Due to the nature of this work in remote areas with only one sampler, these features are required to safely do the job.

3) Streamline design with no external and unprotected dials/switches. Most of the work that will be conducted by the Private Forest Accord stream biologists will be in headwater streams and in steep/extremely brushy habitats. Electrofishing units in these conditions must withstand abuse from the dense trees and shrubs. The ETS unit has exposed dials and switches on the exterior of the unit (see attached photo) that will not hold up to the conditions and environment that is required to conduct this work. Trees and shrubs constantly hanging up on these external switches poses a safety risk as well. In my past professional experience, I have seen older electrofishing units become damaged and in need of repair that have these same exterior dials and switches. The Smith Root unit is streamlined and has no external switches or dials to catch on the trees and shrubs.

For the reasons listed above the Smith Root LR-24 unit is the only electrofishing unit that meets the requirements of the work that will be conducted by the Private Forest Accord Stream Biologist.

Analysis of Research / Findings of Fact:

Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(a): Compatibility.

Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(b): Exchange of Software or Data.

Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(c): Pilot or 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.

APPROVED BY:

April Brenden-Locke, Contract Services Manager Date

1/27/23