Vectronic GPS Collars

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Wildlife Services (WS), National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Ft. Collins, CO intends to award a sole source, purchase order to Vectronic Aerospace, Inc. UEI: L7YWRNDH4LR7 for the supply of 40 VERTEX Lite-IRIDIUM-with 2D Battery collars.

Reasons for Authority Cited: This requirement is applicable to FAR 13.106(b)(1), "For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available..." Vectronic Aerospace, Inc, Inc. is the only manufacturer of this specific collar.

Wildlife research and disease transmission dynamics requires documenting locations of animals to determine where they live, forage, and reproduce as a basis for further assessing risks. Precise locational information is essential to informing risks especially when determining what food sources are being consumed, contact rates of animals, and locations of mortality. Traditionally, VHF radio collars were used to collect this type of information, though have been replaced recently by collars providing far less locational uncertainty by incorporating global positioning systems (GPS). By using GPS collars, animal locations are obtained with much less effort and are more reliable and spatially accurate. Most recently, GPS technology has advanced further to the point of allowing two-way communication (i.e., via Iridium satellites) between collars and researchers collecting information. These communications enable researchers to acquire locational information remotely without recapturing the animal to retrieve data on the collar. Researchers are also able to change location recording schedules and collar drop-off dates remotely and as needed throughout a study to get more information or even to get less information to extend the battery life of the collar.

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation documents are available and telephone requests will not be honored. However, if a firm believes it can meet this requirement it must furnish information about its products and services to the Contracting Officer listed on this notice by 12:00pm. EASTERN STANDARD on or before July 25, 2025, the closing date of this notice. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334220 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing, and the Small business size standard is 1,250 Employees.

Responses received after the response date or without the required information will be deemed nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. Capability statements shall be sent to: Margaux Nenichka, Margaux.G.Nenichka@usda.gov.