GPS iridium collars with video camera option

GPS IRIDIUM COLLARS WITH VIDEO CAMERA OPTION

Notice of Intent

This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source.

The U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman Montana intends to issue a non-competitive award to Vectronic Aerospace Inc. of Coralville, Iowa. The anticipated contract will be firm, fixed price, 5-year IDIQ award for purchase of Vertex GPS/Iridium Satellite collars with a video camera added for mule deer disease studies in Wyoming.

Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures at FAR Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 entitled, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Vectronic Aerospace is the manufacturer of Vertex GPS/Iridium collars with camera option. Their unique features are required to meet the USGS’ need, including Remotely modifiable VHF beacon frequencies, iridium upload and download options for locations and modification of video schedules, and less than 3% failure rate which is facilitated by housing electronics in sealed compartments without an O-ring, which sometimes allows for water ingress.

The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.101(a)(1) and FAR 5.2. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 334220 – Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, size standards 1,250 employees.

Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to yangzhideng@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than June 21, 2024 at 1500 PST.

Minimum technical specifications
1. Ability to store hourly GPS locations for >13 months and relay those via the Iridi-um platform.
2. Video camera with >35 hours of store-on-board non-volatile memory on a remotely determined schedule.
3. Battery power sufficient to accomplish #1 and 2 for 13 months.
4. < 1.5kg in total weight
5. VHF beacon in the 160-175 MHz range
6. (radio-controlled drop-off with timer-controlled back-up capable of being repro-grammed by user without return to factory)
7. Drop-off housed inside battery housing to provide better protection from damage.
8. Collars to be shipped pre-programmed with project programming criteria.
9. Data must be capable of being downloaded directly to Esri software platform, Movebank or other database service using API formatting.
10. Iridium upload and download options for locations and modification of video schedules.
11. a less than 3% failure rate which is facilitated by housing electronics in sealed compartments without an O-ring, which sometimes allows for water ingress.
12. A two-year warranty on electronic components and replacement of failed equip-ment that does not depend on having failed equipment returned.
13. Remotely modifiable VHF beacon frequencies as this helps to avoid any potential conflicts within the Yellowstone region.