PLANNED SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH VEMCO DIVISION, AMIRIX SYSTEMS INC., FOR ULTRASONIC TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS FOR TELEMETRY MONITORING OF ASIAN CARP AND SURROGATE THE CHICAGO AREA WATERWAY SYSTEM (CAWS) AND ILLINOIS WATERWAY (IWW)

In compliance with FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) & 13.501(a)(1)(i) coupled with the provisions set forth by FAR Subpart 5.101(a)(1), this Notice is hereby published to inform of the following: In support of the Chicago District's purchase request, the Chicago District intends to award a sole source contract to VEMCO Division, AMIRIX Systems Inc. for ULTRASONIC TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS for telemetry monitoring of Asian carp and surrogate species in the CHICAGO AREA WATERWAY SYSTEM (CAWS) and ILLINOIS WATERWAY (IWW). The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 335999, with a Small Business size standard of 500 employees. The Chicago District intends to procure from VEMCO Division, AMIRIX Systems Inc., ultrasonic transmitter fish tags and receiver equipment to monitor Asian carp and surrogate species in the CAWS, in the vicinity of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The movement and behavior of bighead carp, silver carp, and surrogate species will be monitored via telemetry to assess the threat to and effectiveness of the electric barrier constructed to stop the dispersal of aquatic invasive species. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers for telemetry monitoring is used to prevent Asian carp from establishing self-sustaining populations in the CAWS and Lake Michigan. The overall objectives are: (a) Determination of the distribution and response removal actions, (b) removal of any Asian carp found to the maximum extent practicable, identification, assessment and reaction to any vulnerability in the current system of barriers to prevent movement into the CAWS and IWW (c) determination of leading edge and reproductive success of those populations, and improvement of understanding the factors behind the likelihood that Asian carp could become established in the Great Lakes. Over the several past years, VEMCO Division, AMIRIX Systems Inc. has accordingly provided the fish tracking and monitoring equipment enabling researchers to study the behavior and migration patterns of marine and freshwater animals across vast distances. VEMCO's equipment is well-suited for implementation and auditory function. Vemco is the sole developer, manufacturer and supplier of Vemco acoustic telemetry receivers, transmitters, receiver upgrades and receiver accessories and all associated software. VEMCO, manufactures the ultrasonic transmitters that are exactly compatible to the VEMCO VR2 and VR4 receivers already deployed in the river by the Corps of Engineers and agency partners like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southern Illinois University. USACE currently has over $250K worth of compatible equipment in the CAWS and IWW. Vemco coded transmitters and monitoring receivers use Vemco owned proprietary technology and coding techniques. These are not based on an open standard. This technology provides vast numbers of unique tag IDs to allow for interoperability and compatibility of over 20,000 Vemco receivers deployed worldwide. Vemco tag IDs and deployments are managed through the Vemco tag ID database which is solely owned and accessible by Vemco. The Vemco tag ID database is critical to the successful operation of Vemco acoustic telemetry studies. VEMCO transmitters work well for the species of fish (bighead and silver carp) monitored by ultrasonic telemetry and for the duration of the monitoring period (1616 days). It is operationally imperative that only VEMCO tags be purchased and deployed in the acoustic network installed in the Illinois Waterway. VEMCO protects against the use of cloned tags, which could compromise government research results. Competitors claiming to offer similar equipment have no way of knowing the tag numbers currently deployed in the IWW (currently over 1000 tags are in use), and the use of any other product besides VEMCO could jeopardize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District work and acoustic network. Under the proposed contract, the overall completion time will be 30 calendar days. The contract will result in a firm fixed-price contract. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for offers, proposals, etc. However, interested firms must send a capabilities statement NO LATER THAN the close of business on April 20, 2016 at 4pm. Statements should be sent to the attention of Ericka Hillard at contact@example.gov. Please ensure that the subject line of your email includes "Solicitation Number W912P6-16-T-0016". Award is anticipated on or about April 29, 2016. This announcement is in accordance with FAR Part 5.101(a)(1). The point of contact is Ericka Hillard at +1 (555) 000-0000 or W. Dale Dewar at +1 (555) 000-0000. ** Please include Solicitation Number W912P6-16-T-0016 on all correspondence. **