58--NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Division of Migratory Bird Management has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source contract to Vertebrate Systems LLC for GPS/GSM transmitters for small raptors. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals, but an opportunity for other interested parties to demonstrate their capability to meet the requirement. Responses are due by June 10, 2026, 5:00 PM CT.
Scope of Requirement
The FWS requires 10 GPS/GSM transmitters (4 OrniTrack-6 and 6 OrniTrack-10 units) for deployment on Cooper's hawks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during July 2026 and 2027. Key requirements include:
- Weight: Less than 3% of hawk's body weight (under 8-13 grams).
- Models: Ornitela OrniTrack-6 (6.0-6.5g, 34x19x9mm) and OrniTrack-10 (10-12g, 47x18x12mm).
- Connectivity: GPS receiver, GSM/4G (LTE Cat-M1) transceiver, reliable data transmission from outside the U.S. (including Mexico).
- Power: Lithium-Polymer internal battery with solar charger.
- Data: 128 MB storage (2M records), user-selectable GPS/GSM intervals, data upload via 4G LTE Cat-M1, logged data stored if GSM unavailable.
- Control: Remote control of schedules, modes, and geofences via online panel.
- Features: High frequency sensor data, day & night mode, OTA firmware updates, and included post-deployment data with no additional charges.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source (Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13.106-1(b)).
- Intended Awardee: Vertebrate Systems LLC.
- NAICS: 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1250 employees.
- PSC: 5820 (Radio And Television Communication Equipment, Except Airborne).
- Published: June 5, 2026.
- Response Due: June 10, 2026, 5:00 PM CT (within three calendar days of publication).
Justification for Sole Source
The FWS has identified Ornitela OrniTrack-6 4G and OrniTrack-10 4G as the only currently available transmitters that meet all study needs. The justification cites barriers to competition, including the necessity for pilot testing new transmitters, Ornitela's inclusion of data transfer costs, and the increased staff time and design effort required to switch platforms.
Action for Interested Parties
This is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties must identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement within three calendar days of the notice's publication. Any response must provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Information received will be considered solely to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact John Skogen via email at Jack_Skogen@fws.gov. Please reference the Notice of Intent number in all correspondence.