Prairie Chicken Transmitters w/Data Plans for DNR

The State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Prairie Chicken Tracking Transmitters with Data Plans, specifically targeting Houston County. The procurement seeks 60 lightweight GPS transmitters designed for tracking prairie chickens, with requirements including the ability to provide 12 GPS fixes per day, remote firmware updates, and data collection capabilities for at least 18 months. Vendors must demonstrate experience working with 2-3 research scientists who have used similar transmitters in gallinaceous bird studies within the past 3-5 years. The transmitters must be attachable via rump mount or backpack harness and have proven track records of successful wildlife tracking without compromising data integrity. Key submission deadlines include an extended due date of November 6, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, with all responses required to be submitted electronically through the SWIFT Supplier Portal. Evaluation criteria will likely include technical specifications, vendor experience, transmitter performance history, and comprehensive data management capabilities.

The RFP demonstrates the State of Minnesota's commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging participation from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities. While no specific set-aside percentages are detailed, the solicitation signals an openness to diverse vendor participation. The contract period is proposed from October 25, 2024, to October 31, 2026, with an option to extend for an additional 36 months. The DNR will retain all rights to data extracted from the transmitters, and pricing must include data transfer fees for approximately two years. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the pricing schedule indicates that vendors must provide comprehensive costs for transmitters, data transmission, and portal subscriptions. Successful vendors will be expected to deliver a test transmitter within 5 weeks of award and complete the full order by December 15, 2024, with a secure data portal requirement for accessing and downloading collected transmitter data.