Sole Source- Thelma Biotel

Florida Gulf Coast University is conducting a sole source procurement for proprietary acoustic telemetry equipment from Thelma Biotel, specifically receivers and implantable tags, to support marine fish tracking research. The procurement is justified exclusively on technical interoperability grounds, as Thelma Biotel’s systems are non-compatible with those of other vendors like Innovasea, and alternative solutions would require costly and impractical system overhauls. The solicitation was posted on May 12, 2026, with a response deadline of May 14, 2026, and requires potential suppliers to respond within 48 hours if they believe they can provide an equivalent product, though no competitive evaluation factors, pricing details, or contract type are specified in the documentation. The place of performance is in Florida, with no further delivery, packaging, or inspection specifications outlined. The acquisition follows internal university Regulation 6.025 and includes a certification form affirming that no financial interest exists between university personnel and the supplier, with alternative vendors having been evaluated but deemed unsuitable due to technical incompatibility and increased cost. No formal contract clauses, FAR sections, accounting codes, payment office details, or special requirements such as security clearances or option periods are included; however, submission must occur electronically through an institutional portal, with supporting documentation uploaded to the Files section. The contract value remains undisclosed due to the absence of line-item pricing or cost breakdown, and while Thelma Biotel is the identified supplier, its UEI, CAGE code, size status, or socioeconomic certifications are not provided in the materials.