Intent to Sole Source Lotek Wireless Inc. for Bighorn Remote Radio Collars

The University of Montana Forestry Department is pursuing a sole source procurement for Bighorn Remote Radio Collars from Lotek Wireless Inc., with a solicitation event number UOM-SolSour-2025-0289. The procurement is specifically for radio telemetric equipment designed for electronic surveillance of animals, categorized under commodity codes 3212 (Radio Telemetric Equipment), 3201 (Animals/Fish), and 3216 (Animal and Wildlife Surveys). The solicitation allows for potential challenges from other vendors who believe they can provide equivalent software or features, with such challenges to be submitted in writing to Chris Newlon via email. The procurement window opens on July 30, 2024, at 2:00 PM MDT and closes on August 13, 2024, at 2:00 PM MDT. Vendors must demonstrate precise alignment with the specified requirements to be considered as an alternative to the intended sole source contractor. Payment terms are established at Net 30, with no advance payment provisions. The primary objective appears to be acquiring specialized wildlife tracking and monitoring equipment for research purposes.

This solicitation is structured as a non-competitive proposal with a specific focus on Lotek Wireless Inc. as the preferred vendor. While the solicitation does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations, it does provide an opportunity for vendors to challenge the sole source determination. No specific incumbent vendor information beyond Lotek Wireless Inc. is provided in the documentation. The procurement appears to be targeted specifically at specialized wildlife research equipment, suggesting a narrow and technical market segment. No explicit budget range or award value is specified in the available documentation. The sole source approach indicates a high degree of specificity in the required technical capabilities, potentially reflecting unique technological specifications that limit competitive alternatives. Vendors interested in challenging the sole source designation must provide comprehensive evidence of equivalent capabilities to be considered as an alternative supplier.