UDOT Notice of Sole Source- -

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a Contract Without Engaging in a Standard Procurement Process for a sole source procurement with Snowbound Solutions. This is not a competitive solicitation but rather a public notice period allowing interested parties to challenge the sole source determination prior to contract award. The procurement encompasses avalanche detection equipment, visualization, alerting, and comprehensive support services for the UDOT Avalanche Program, with specific focus on installation, maintenance, and upgrading of avalanche monitoring systems across three canyon locations: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Provo Canyon. Deliverables include maintenance and training services for UDOT forecasters, technical support, annual support services providing access to Snowbound's data processing pipeline and SnowObs web dashboard, alert systems for text and email notifications of possible avalanche events, continuous software updates, post-season debriefs, and sensor calibration. UDOT justifies the sole source award based on the uniqueness of Snowbound Solutions' five-array infrasound-based avalanche monitoring system already established in Little Cottonwood Canyon and the absence of alternative systems capable of detecting avalanches within the specific terrain limitations of the canyons. The contract term is five years with two renewal options, and the estimated contract value is $250,000. The public notice and challenge period closes on March 11, 2026, with challenges directed to jefferybarnes@utah.gov; any interested and qualified vendors may submit detailed documentation demonstrating competing sources and comparable capabilities during this period.

No set-aside designations or restrictions specifically limiting response eligibility to particular organization types are indicated in the available documentation. UDOT's market research, conducted through its active membership in the Transportation Avalanche Research Pool (TARP), confirmed that no other vendors provide comparable avalanche detection services. Snowbound Solutions is identified as the incumbent vendor with existing infrastructure already established in Little Cottonwood Canyon, which UDOT cites as a primary justification for sole source procurement due to transitional costs and the integrated nature of the monitoring system. The estimated contract value is $250,000 over the five-year initial term. UDOT notes that the Conducting Procurement Unit may not execute the procurement until the solicitation process is completed and the contract is signed by all parties, and that if no valid challenges are received following the public notice period, UDOT may proceed with contract award to Snowbound Solutions without further competition.