Sole_Source_Determination for elk collars final_signed.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION & JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

To: Contract Services

From: Paul Atwood Date: 11/7/2022

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:

20 (depending on the price of each it may be more) collars Lotek Iridium model 420 LiteTrack with the following specifications:

• a web service map for data stewardship, including the satellite and data transmission plan, including a time release drop off.

• Two-way communication is also required to allow for remote changes to collar parameters and schedule functionality.

• VHF functionality that includes normal, mortality and recovery beacon modes is also required along with mortality sensors and notification.

• All necessary hardware to connect a collar with a PC should also be provided.

Please see “Research for Need” below about the need for this specific model due to compatibility considerations.

Reason for Need:

Roosevelt elk are an important big game species in western Oregon. This species has high social, economic, aesthetic and hunting values and plays important roles in the economies of rural communities. As such, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife North Coast Watershed District has been an active partner and leader in a governor-designated Oregon Solutions project aimed at addressing the overpopulation of Roosevelt elk in the Clatsop Plains area of Clatsop County including the cities of Seaside, Gearhart, and Warrenton. Collaring elk in each herd is outlined as one of ODFW’s commitments in the Declaration of Cooperation.

Phase I of the project is complete and Phase II is beginning. Many of the project partner's commitments in Phase II are dependent on the data derived from collared elk.

This model, Lotek Iridium model 420 LiteTrack with a web service map for data stewardship, is needed as the National Parks Service already has deployed this model of collar on elk in the project area. This model was selected for Phase I of this project because it is ideal for this project area as it allows for a longer time-out period, which increases the likelihood of communicating under the dense canopy cover in the project area. This same model was deployed in the study area by ODFW staff in partnership with the National Park Service and are still active. Four additional collars of the same model will be deployed during the winter of 2022-23 under the same partnership. Additionally, researchers from Oregon State University will be using data collected from all existing collars in the project area for a related project on elk behavior. For research purposes including data continuity, it is critical to deploy equivalent collars. It is standard practice of wildlife researchers to use the same equipment to collect data during a study. This practice eliminates the potential issue that significant statistical differences are due to the difference in data collection equipment and not due to actual differences in measured in the natural environment. Each collar vendor manufactures their products using their own proprietary engineered hardware and software. In this case, using different equipment would require researchers to attempt to tease apart these proprietary differences and attempt to correct for them in future statistical analyses or would render the existing data collected as unusable. Because this is a collaborative research effort, these are not acceptable outcomes.

Single of Multiple Purchases:

Single purchase

Estimated Cost:

Up to $90,000.00

Research Leading to Determination:

There are few vendors available to supply 2-way satellite iridium wildlife collars. Their technology is kept proprietary, making it extremely difficult for wildlife biologists to determine if the data collected between products is equivalent. For the research reasons listed above, it is common practice to use the same equipment for the duration of a study.

Analysis of Research / Findings of Fact:

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

See Reason for Need section for compatibility explanation.

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.

See attached letter from manufacturer stating that they are the only source of the product.

APPROVED BY:

April Brenden-Locke, Contract Services Manager Date

1/11/2023