7G--Intend to Award Notice - Telonics, Inc

The U.S. Geological Survey intends to award a non-competitive procurement to Telonics, Inc. for 90 RECON-4560-5 GPS/Globalstar satellite-linked tracking collars by September 22, 2026, unless another vendor demonstrates equivalent capability. The procurement supports a big game movement study along Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming.

The order comprises 45 collars configured for mule deer with CAST-4 protective casting and CR-5A programmable timed-release mechanisms, and 45 configured for pronghorn with CAST-4 protective casting and CR-7A programmable timed-release mechanisms. Work is performed in southern Wyoming with a period of performance from September 24, 2026, through November 23, 2027.

USGS justifies the non-competitive award under FAR 13.1 based on data continuity and technical requirements specific to Telonics equipment. Prior and ongoing studies in the I-80 corridor have used Telonics RECON collars; the laboratory's data-management and analytical systems are configured to process Telonics data, and switching manufacturers would require development and validation of new data-processing procedures that could compromise data comparability. The RECON collars provide Globalstar satellite communications, integrated VHF mortality beacons, and durable sealed housing proven under Wyoming field conditions, and their compatibility with required Telonics CR-5/CR-7 timed-release mechanisms enables collar recovery without recapturing animals.

Vendors believing they can provide similar products meeting these requirements must contact Contract Specialist Patrick Anderson at patrick_anderson@usgs.gov by 9:00 AM Eastern, Tuesday, September 22, 2026.