BLM-CO ELK GPS tracking collars

ELK GPS TRACKING COLLARS Sources Sought

This is a sources sought for Elk Tracking Collars. Current Market Research and end customer experience shows the only collars meeting our specifications are made in Germany. In accordance with various laws and the Buy American initiative, there is a preference for American made products. If you manufacture high quality, durable and long-life large animal tracking or telemetry collars in America, please respond with your contact information along with a detailed description and capabilities narrative of your product.

Specifications:

1. Reliable data collection over at least 5 years is necessary to accurately depict the processes being investigated. Collars must be highly resistant to mechanical damage and environmental effects. Electronic components must be well engineered for long deployment lifetime. Battery life of over 5 years is required.
2. Collars must be well suited to large herbivores with wide variability in neck circumference and shape. One lower housing will facilitate fitting collars on elk. Must be highly flexible in length adjustment.
3. GPS and VHF transmitters on each collar with mortality and temperature sensors.
4. Collars must be able to remotely communicate data to biologists from the animal via a satellite network. The Globalstar satellite network provides this functionality.
5.At least a 2-year warranty for the electronic components of the collars will help ensure they function over the necessary time period.
6. The software used by the collar manufacturer to communicate with GPS collars and receive data must be compatible with that currently used. The GPS Plus X software used by Vectronics is the only known software currently compatible with that used by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

POC: Contract Specialist Patrick Frost - pfrost@blm.gov