Wildlife Acoustics Ultrasonic-Acoustic Records Brand Name or Equal
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ) OR INVITATION FOR BID (IFB).
NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE.
This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify parties having an interest in and resources to support this requirement for a new SM5Bat ultrasonic–acoustic recorders on
a brand name or equal basis to Wildlife Acoustics for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) in Fort Collins, CO.
The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement based on the responses to sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) and the size standard is 600 employees.
NOTE 1: The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 8301-05) is the primary federal procurement law providing a preference for domestic goods and manufactured products. As such, the USGS is seeking information on sources that can supply the described instrument either mined, produced or manufactured in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of satisfactory quality.
A. Introduction:
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) in Fort Collins, CO has a requirement to purchase new Ultrasonic-Acoustic Recorders.
B. Background:
The USGS Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) in Fort Collins, CO provides sound scientific data and technical assistance to Department of the Interior bureaus and other natural resource agencies. The primary use of this purchase is to support research, technology development, and associated scientific activities that allow FORT to help solve natural resource issues by supplying reliable scientific data and technical support.
High‑quality ultrasonic and acoustic monitoring equipment is essential for collecting mission‑critical wildlife data, including bat acoustic activity, bird vocalizations, and other sound information. To meet these needs, FORT requires Ultrasonic–Acoustic Recorders with advanced triggering, long‑duration field battery capacity, GPS time synchronization, and robust IP67 weatherproof housings—along with solar power kits that enable extended deployments in remote locations without reliable access to external power sources. These systems will allow staff to gather continuous, high‑resolution acoustic datasets at remote field sites while reducing the number of required site visits, improving data continuity, and increasing field efficiency.
These recorders and solar power kits will directly increase the efficiency, quality, and safety of FORT’s mission‑critical scientific work. By enabling long‑term autonomous data collection at remote sites, these systems minimize travel demands, reduce field workload, support broader spatial and temporal sampling, and ensure staff can meet the acoustic monitoring needs of USGS and DOI partners. The specifications outlined below will fulfill these requirements and support the collection of essential data needed to advance USGS and DOI science priorities.
C. Technical Specifications/Requirements for an Ultrasonic-Acoustic Recorder:
The Ultrasonic-Acoustic Recorder shall meet the following:
Ultrasonic-Acoustic Recorder:
1. Ultrasonic channels: 2 independently triggered
2. Acoustic channels: 2 (mono or stereo)
3. Built in microphones: 1 ultrasonic + 1 acoustic
4. Simultaneous ultrasonic + acoustic recording: Required
5. Recording formats: Full spectrum WAV and/or Zero Crossing (ZC)
6. Ultrasonic sample rates: 256, 384, 500 kHz
7. Acoustic sample rates: 8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
8. Low noise microphone technology
9. Adjustable noise scrubbing trigger capability
10. GPS: Built in, time sync within 30 microseconds
11. Memory: Two SDHC/SDXC slots up to 2 TB each (4 TB total)
12. Battery tray capacity: 18650 Li ion OR D alkaline
13. Solar power capable
14. External power capable
15. Expansion port
16. Configuration options: iOS/Android mobile app or on unit interface
17. Custom scheduling support
18. Weatherproofing: IP67 (including built in mics)
19. Operating temperature: –4°F to +185°F (–20°C to +85°C)
20. Dimensions: >200 × 200 × 75 mm
21. Weight: <2.75 lbs
22. Warranty: >2 years, including mics
23. Battery duration:
a. One channel, multi band triggered: 140 nights (Li ion) / 75 nights (alkaline)
b. One channel, single band power saving: 170 nights (Li ion) / 90 nights (alkaline)
c. Two channel, multi band triggered: 105 nights (Li ion) / 55 nights (alkaline)
d. Two channel, single band power saving: 165 nights (Li ion) / 85 nights (alkaline)
24. Solar Power Kit:
a. 10 watt solar panel
b. Integrated 92.5 Wh Li ion battery
c. Weatherproof design for long term outdoor deployment
d. Includes USB A to USB C cable for pre charging
e. Built in tripod mount
f. Compatible with SM5/SM4/SM3 family recorders
Salient Characteristics:
The recorder system must be brand new, fully functional, and suitable for long duration autonomous field deployments in remote environments.
The system must:
1. Provide continuous ultrasonic and acoustic wildlife monitoring
2. Operate reliably outdoors under varying environmental conditions (IP67)
3. Support long term field use using internal batteries and/or solar power
4. Include dual channel ultrasonic and acoustic recording capabilities
5. Maintain precise GPS based time synchronization
6. Provide remote data access and status checks
7. Allow flexible configuration in the field via mobile app or on unit controls
8. Meet minimum battery life requirements for both single and multi channel recording modes
9. Support hot/cold temperature ranges typical for USGS remote deployments
(End of Specifications/Requirements)
Businesses with the capability to meet these requirements must submit the following information:
1. Product Information:
Identify the proposed product/manufacturer meeting the product specifications above. Include specification sheets and brochures.
2. Place of Manufacturing / Country of Origin:
Specify whether the product is manufactured within the United States in accordance with NOTE 1.
3. Business Size and Socioeconomic Status applicable to the NAICS code listed above:
Must indicate whether your business is:
• Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE)
• Small Business
• 8(a)
• HUBZone
• Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Other than Small Business
4. Company Information:
Provide a point of contact (name and email), System for Award (SAM) Unique Entity ID (UEI), and confirmation of active SAM.gov registration.
All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary – the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Materials submitted to the Government for review will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ) or Invitation for Bid (IFB). The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses received under this announcement.
The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated.
To be considered responsive to this Notice, businesses must submit all required documentation by August 24, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Any response that does not follow these instructions will not be considered.
Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.
Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Lisa Williams at lisa_williams@ios.doi.gov.
