The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Science Center has a requirement for Quantity (10) 2g solar PTT-100/5/IZE Argos Satellite Transmitters manufactured by Microwave Telemetry, Inc. of Columbia, MD. The Government intends to negotiate on a noncompetitive basis, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures of FAR Part 12, entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items. The Microwave Telemetry, Inc. Model 2g solar PTT-100/5/IZE Argos Satellite Transmitter has at least three (3) unique features which are required to meet the USGS’ minimum need. First, it is the only commercially available satellite transmitter of the size and weight appropriate for Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Second, it provides multiple Argos locations per day for the life of the tag that can be a year or more. Other small tracking devices on the market collect only a limited number of points (e.g., 30-50) for the life of the tag. Third, all other tracking devices that are less than or equal to 2 grams store the data onboard and require that the bird be re-captured to download the data. The USGS requires these transmitters to track year-round movements of Buff-breasted Sandpipers who are small shorebirds (80 grams) that migrate each year between breeding areas in the high Arctic of North America and wintering areas in southern South America. This tracking capability is necessary because the sandpipers are too small to carry the next largest satellite transmitter on the market (5 grams). Satellite transmitters are necessary, instead of similar-sized datalogger tracking devices, because the location data collected by satellite transmitters can be obtained remotely (i.e., it is transmitted from the tag and we download the data in near realtime from the Argos tracking system). In contrast, location data collected by dataloggers are not transmitted and can only be retrieved by re-capturing individual tagged birds and downloading the stored data from their dataloggers. The chances of being able to re-capture the same individual Buff-breasted Sandpiper across time is virtually zero because this species is not site faithful in any season (i.e., these birds do not return to the same areas) and they occur over a vast range. Without this piece of equipment and the capabilities it brings we will not be able to meet our study objectives and goals for a current study. Other interested concerns having the ability to furnish this transmitter may submit a capabilities statement to the Contracting Officer via email at [email protected] no later than the closing date of this announcement on August 31, 2017 at 9:00am local time. All submissions will be evaluated to determine if competitive opportunities exist. All responses must be in writing, by email, to the Contracting Officer, Charlan Cabalsi at [email protected]. NAICS – 334220. Radio and Television broadcasting wireless communication equipment manufacturing. Size Standard 1,250.

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