GPS Satellite Tracking Collars for Mule Deer

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) issued Request for Proposal S-63500-00000609 for the procurement of GPS satellite tracking collars for mule deer research purposes. The procurement specifically seeks 150 GPS iridium satellite tracking collars for adult mule deer does and 150 GPS iridium or Globalstar satellite tracking collars for six-month-old juvenile mule deer, along with associated data collection services for a two-year period. The primary objective is to obtain estimates of annual adult survival and overwinter juvenile survival of mule deer in select eastern Oregon monitoring areas. Proposals were due by September 9, 2021, with an initial addendum deadline of September 3, 2021 for vendor questions and protests. The evaluation matrix utilized a comprehensive scoring approach examining proposed collar specifications, references, product reliability, and pricing, with vendors assessed across multiple performance categories. Vectronic Aerospace, Lotek, and Aerospace were among the vendors evaluated, with scoring based on technical capabilities and cost-effectiveness.

The procurement did not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The contract was funded through federal funds and incorporated standard federal contract provisions, with ODFW reserving the right to adjust collar quantities based on funding availability and product pricing. The Notice of Intent to Award indicated Vectronic Aerospace, Inc. of Coralville, Iowa, as the highest-scoring and most responsive proposer. While specific award values were not explicitly detailed, the procurement encompassed collar hardware, programming, deployment services, data retrieval capabilities, and two years of satellite communication services. The contract opportunity was specifically relevant to Malheur County and Oregon City jurisdictions within Oregon, with ODFW maintaining flexibility to modify contract terms and quantities. The solicitation emphasized comprehensive pricing requirements, including taxes, shipping, and potential importation tariffs, suggesting a thorough and competitive procurement process designed to secure advanced wildlife tracking technology.