Request for Information: USGS GPS Bear Collars

The USGS Cooperative Research Units in Reston, VA, supporting the Ecosystems Mission Area, has need for GPS tracking collars to study black bear (Ursus americanus) movement ecology in South Carolina.
In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information for Solicitation and Planning Purposes (October 1997) and 10.002(b)(2)(i) and (iii), this notice is issued solely for information, planning and market research purposes. This Request for Information (RFI) does not constitute a Solicitation or an indication the Government will contract for the products or services contained in this notice. This notice is not to be construed as an acquisition Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is any commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract implied, nor does the Government intend to pay for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this notice. Any response received will not be used as a proposal. Please ensure that any sensitive or protected information is marked as such and the government will ensure this information is not released externally.
The intent of this RFI is to obtain capability statements from interested parties that can provide GPS tracking collars to study black bear movement ecology. The USGS is searching for small business concerns, i.e., 8(a) businesses, HUBZone businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses or service-disable veteran owned small businesses capable of providing the described products or services. Large businesses are also encouraged to respond to this RFI.
The USGS also requests confirmation whether the requested products/services can be obtained through any existing GSA schedules contracts or through open market means.
The resultant contract, if there is such, is anticipated to be firm fixed price. The procurement is anticipated to occur in FY26.
RFI REQUIREMENTS:
The USGS Cooperative Research Units in Reston, VA, supporting the Ecosystems Mission Area, has need for GPS tracking collars. The primary use is to support the field program of the South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (SC CFWRU) at Clemson University. The collars will be used to study black bear (Ursus americanus) movement ecology in South Carolina, with a particular focus on road-crossing behavior and habitat use, pursuant to research objectives associated with wildlife management, ecological sciences, and resource conservation.
Collars must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Collar form factor suitable for black bears (Ursus americanus), fitting both juvenile and adult individuals within safe weight limits
- GPS recording capacity: up to 365,500 positions
- Round or oval collar shape options
- Remote data transmission via Iridium satellite with unlimited daily transmissions
- VHF beacon with programmable on/off schedule
- Mortality sensor and temperature sensor
- Basic 3-axis activity sensor
- Field-replaceable battery
- Virtual Fence capability: spatially-stratified GPS fix rate enabling higher-frequency location collection within user-defined buffer zones (e.g., road corridors) and lower-frequency collection elsewhere, to target road-crossing behavior and conserve battery life
- Programmable GPS fix schedule: number of fixes per 24-hour period, fix interval in minutes, and calendar days on which to collect fixes
- Minimum fix rate of 5 minutes or less
- Drop-off mechanism: programmable remote collar release, allowing retrieval without animal recapture
- Stainless steel label plate
- 2-year manufacturer warranty on collar electronic parts
- Data accessible via mobile app and software compatible with Windows 11
- Iridium satellite service
ACTION: Interested vendors who believe they have the capability to provide the required product/services as defined are invited to submit a Capability Statement, not to exceed 5 pages including attachments, exhibits, etc. Response should include the following information:
1. Company name, address, point of contact, email address, and business type (i.e. 8(a), HUBZone, veteran-owned small business, etc.).
2. GSA Schedule Contract Information if applicable
3. Capabilities Statement
4. Approximate cost information (i.e. rough order of magnitude).
5. Past performance information should be submitted for similar projects conducted within the last three (3) years. If possible, three (3) past performance examples are desired.
6. Do not provide only general brochures or generic information.
USGS will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject of this notice.
Interested vendors must provide their response via email to the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship with the subject line reading "RFI - USGS GPS Bear Collars.
Responses are due via email to Miranda_Blankenship@ios.doi.gov by 5:00 PM ET, Friday, July 17, 2026. The response must be specific to the RFI requirements/qualifications listed above.