The USGS New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit requests a backpack electrofisher system for research on small stream ecosystems. The majority of the headwater streams are remote and in steep terrane which requires light-weight construction and a rugged frame. The backpack electrofisher will support USGS mission to achieve sustainable management and conservation of biological resources by including the study of multi-species assemblages including at-risk species such as species of greatest conservation need in New Mexico as well as for economically important species and invasive species. Fundamental ecology about flow-ecology relationships, species habitat associations, and species distributions will help fill information gaps needed to guide comprehensive conservation strategies including the development of in-stream flow recommendations, and planning conservation objectives within landscape-scale priority native fish conservation area network.

The backpack electrofisher must have the following capabilities:
- over 1200 different waveform selections (this large waveform selection provides a more versatile unit, which can provide optimum performance with changing water conditions, fish size, and species)
- the ability to instantly switch between two different users selected waveforms and output power limiting to reduce injuries to sensitive species.
- safety features such as an immersion sensor and anode out of water sensor which both immediately turn off the output of the electrofisher in dangerous situations and an emergency stop switch with twin audible alarms
- ETL safety certification

Without a system that meets these specifications, data needed to fulfill research requirements will not be collected, early career (graduate student) projects will not be completed, and actionable information will not be provided to management authorities. Lack of these capabilities will hinder achievement of the DOI-USGS priority of sustainable management and conservation of biological resources.

The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. The backpack LR-24 Smith-Root electrofisher design meets the safety, mobility, and electrofishing standards required. Therefore, it intends to make an award to Smith-Root, unless it is contacted by any who believes they can provide a product that meets USGS needs. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship via email at mblankenship@usgs.gov no later than 12:00PM EST, Wednesday, August 23, 2023 with an affirmative answer.

Brand Name Justification States the Following Part:

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to award on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval for use of one of the exceptions to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 and as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

The USGS New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit requests a Smith and Root Model LR-24 POW Backpack Electrofisher system for research on small stream ecosystems. The equipment described above will be used as part of an existing group of electrofishing equipment for the Cooperative Research Unit in New Mexico. The equipment is needed to conduct sampling surveys in wadeable streams with limited accessibility. The equipment will support research investigation on stream ecosystems, fish species of greatest conservation need, economically important species, and invasive species. The USGS requires the following features, all of which are proprietary technology of Smith-Root, Inc.

The Programmable Output Waveform concept is patented by Smith-Root and not available from any other source. It provides access to the most effective and least damaging output waveforms to fish available. Programmable output provides an easy upgrade, which can readily provide access for new waveforms for future research needs across the Southwest.

The New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit currently owns one LR-24 Smith and Root Electrofisher. Planned research for larger headwater streams requires the use of 2 LR-24 backpack electrofishers working upstream side by side to maximize capture efficiency. Thus, it is technically important to have the same device with the same waveform setting working in tandem with one another. Without a system that meets these specifications, data needed to fulfill research requirements will not be collected, early career (graduate student) projects will not be completed, and actionable information will not be provided to management authorities. Lack of these capabilities will hinder achievement of the DOI-USGS priority of sustainable management and conservation of biological resources. The backpack LR-24 Smith and Root electrofisher design meets the safety, mobility, and electrofishing standards required.

Based on extensive market research conducted online, and speaking with colleagues and sales consultants, the model available from Smith-Root, Inc. is the only source that provides the outstanding safety features, important for safety of student assistants and early career researchers, that is also modular and portable, increases accessibility to wadeable streams, with accessories (e.g., lithium ion batteries, cathode and an anode) that are transposable to other Smith-Root electrofishers. Halltech Aquatic Support manufactures a backpack electrofishing system; however, the unit does not have the supportive help files and suggested settings to provide assistance to less experienced operators with relevant information pertaining to electrofishing efficiency and safety. This is important when working in remote areas where access to Halltech support teams are not possible.

Future requirements for same/similar items will be competed to the maximum extent practical. Program Office will conduct continuous market research in an effort to identify solutions that meet specifications/requirements in the future.

Attachments/Links