7G--MT grizzley bear recovery GPS collars

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Legacy 6, intends to award a firm-fixed price, sole source contract to TELONICS, INC., 932 E IMPALA AVE MESA, AZ 85204-6618 for MT Grizzly Bear Recovery Collars. FWS intends to award this requirement as a sole source to Telonics, Inc., considering the need to purchase global positioning system (GPS) radio collars to monitor grizzly bear movements in the Cabinet, Purcell, and Selkirk Mountains of Montana and Idaho and adjacent transboundary areas of British Columbia.

In essence, Telonics, Inc., is the manufacturer of FWS Grizzley Bear Recovery Coordinator's existing collars that transmit data to them through a third party (Metocean / Iridium). The third party assembles all data from these collars and directs it to us through proprietary software for storage in our data archival system.

Telonics Inc., is the company that manufactures all FWS Grizzley Bear Recovery Coordinator's other telemetry products. The software, cabling, and internet downlink receiving equipment for data retrieval is manufactured specifically for and consistent with the existing Telonics Inc., products used on the projects. Collar refurbishment is not available through any other distributor or supplier.

Currently, Telonics Inc., collars have been used on this project for more than 30 years. Considerable effort has been expended to capture bears in a small population of about 65 animals spread over 2000 square miles and require a reliable product. While other companies produce this type of equipment, few match the reliability of Telonics Inc., and do not offer collar refurbishment.

The NAICS code is 334220 - Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing. This notice of intent is not a request for proposals or quotes; however, all responsible sources may submit a quotation and technical capabilities, which, if received within seven (7) calendar days of publication of this notice, shall be considered by FWS. All responses must be submitted by email to Deborah Florio at deborah_florio@fws.gov. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.