Bobcat GPS Collars

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) S-63500-00013989 seeking up to fifteen GPS radio transmitter collars for bobcat research tracking, with specific requirements for Iridium satellite compatibility and technical specifications. The collars must weigh 200g or less, include pre-programmed or user-commanded drop-off mechanisms, and provide a webservice for GPS location downloads. Evaluation criteria will assess collar specifications (30 points), references (20 points), product reliability (20 points), and cost (30 points), with a comprehensive scoring process examining transmission reliability, mortality identification accuracy, and satellite data transmission performance. The RFP was posted on June 10, 2025, with proposals due by June 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM PST, and requires delivery of collars by September 17, 2025 for deployment in October 2025. The project's primary objective is to support ODFW's Game Program research on understanding bobcat habitat use, movement behavior, and predator interactions. Vendors must provide detailed pricing information including collar programming fees, yearly Iridium data plan fees, and shipping costs, along with comprehensive product warranty documentation.

The state actively encourages participation from certified small businesses, specifically targeting disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. Potential vendors must complete a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, detailing their strategies for engaging certified firms and potential subcontracting opportunities. The RFP includes multiple compliance requirements, such as completing a Responsibility Inquiry form that assesses financial capabilities, contract performance history, legal standing, and operational readiness. Vendors must provide two professional references who will be evaluated on a 0-10 scale across performance criteria, with the agency making three contact attempts to validate references. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement process allows for potential award adjustments based on budgetary constraints. The contract term is anticipated to be four years, with potential for integration with existing ODFW research infrastructure and technology platforms focused on wildlife tracking and research.