7G--special notice of intent to sole source

Notice of Intent to Sole Source Award

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Joint Administrative Operations, Acquisition & Property Operations. USFWS IRTM Headquarters intends to award a firm fixed price sole source under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1(b) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000 to:

WILDLIFE COMPUTERS, INC.
8310 154TH AVE NE Suite 150
Redmond, Washington
98052-6185, United States

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334511, Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing. FWS intends to award this requirement as a sole source to Wildlife Computers, Inc., because Wildlife Computers has significant experience designing tags for the Arctic marine environments, not just for polar bears, but
other marine mammal species as well. We also know that the tags manufactured by Wildlife Computers do not impact polar bear welfare but which we cannot currently confirm for tags from other companies. Lastly, we require consistent data collection to make comparisons with previously tagged bears which may not be possible if tags from other manufacturers were deployed.

Wildlife Computers polar bear glue-on tags have the following specifications necessary for collecting data from polar bears in this Arctic marine study area:
- Operational life: ~240 days with 1 hr fix intervals
- Weight: <140 g
- Dimensions: 86 x 55 x 28.5 mm

Wildlife Computers is currently able to produce the desired product without any additional research and development needed, which if required, could delay our acquisition of collars prior to the autumn 2023 field season which begins in August.

This synopsis does not constitute a solicitation; however, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities must be submitted in writing and must contain clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. If parties choose to respond, any cost associated with preparation and submission of data or any other cost incurred in response to this announcement are the sole responsibility of the respondent and will not be reimbursed by the Government.

Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: 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.

NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS/OFFERS WILL BE HONORED