Retrofit Electrofisher to boat

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a sole-source procurement for the retrofit of two Smith-Root Extra Heavy Duty 18' electrofishing vessels. The specific procurement involves upgrading the existing, obsolete GPP electrofishing system to the factory-supported EHX Apex Electrofisher system. This procurement is uniquely targeted at Smith-Root, the original equipment manufacturer, due to their proprietary knowledge and exclusive capability to perform the required retrofits. The contract opportunity was posted on August 7, 2024, with proposals due by August 14, 2024, representing a tight seven-day submission window. The primary deliverable is the complete retrofit of two existing electrofishing vessels, which will maintain continuity in the department's long-term fish population monitoring efforts. Key objectives include minimizing equipment downtime, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure, and leveraging the manufacturer's specialized expertise in electrofishing technology.

While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are mentioned in the documentation, the procurement is explicitly a sole-source contract with Smith-Root. The contract appears to be limited to this specific vendor due to their unique position as the original manufacturer of the vessels and electrofishing systems currently used by ODFW. The procurement is focused on maintaining the existing technological infrastructure and ensuring seamless integration of the new electrofishing system. Although the exact total cost is not specified in the provided documentation, the procurement is for a complete retrofit of two vessels, suggesting a significant investment in specialized marine research equipment. The geographical proximity of Smith-Root in the Pacific Northwest is also highlighted as a strategic advantage, potentially reducing maintenance and repair response times for the ODFW's critical fish sampling equipment.