Interior Department awards $484K for wildlife tracking collar refurbishment, a sole-source purchase

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,458 ($48.5K)

Contractor: Telonics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 236 days

Daily Burn Rate: $205/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REFURBISH AND REPAIR RADIO COLLARS TO TRACK BISON, DEER, AND BIGHORN SHEEP MOVEMENT, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANDLER, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85246

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $48,458 to TELONICS INC for work described as: REFURBISH AND REPAIR RADIO COLLARS TO TRACK BISON, DEER, AND BIGHORN SHEEP MOVEMENT, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to the sole-source nature of the award. 2. Competition dynamics are absent, as the contract was not competed. 3. Risk indicators are low given the small contract value and specialized nature. 4. Performance context involves essential wildlife monitoring in Yellowstone. 5. Sector positioning is within specialized electronics repair for scientific applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $484,580 for refurbishing radio collars is relatively small. Without competitive bids, it's challenging to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature of the award provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition means potential savings may have been forgone. The service is specialized, suggesting limited alternative providers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The data indicates the National Park Service directly awarded this purchase order to Telonics Inc. The lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process for this essential wildlife tracking equipment.

Public Impact

Benefits wildlife researchers and conservation efforts in Yellowstone National Park. Ensures the continued functionality of critical equipment for tracking bison, deer, and bighorn sheep. Supports the scientific understanding of animal movement patterns and habitat use. Indirectly benefits park management and conservation strategies through data collection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential taxpayer savings.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to non-competitive award.

Positive Signals

Specialized service provider with likely expertise in wildlife tracking technology.
Contract supports critical environmental monitoring and research activities.
Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the awarded amount.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the specialized electronics manufacturing and repair sector, specifically serving scientific and environmental monitoring needs. The market for such specialized refurbishment services is likely niche, with a limited number of qualified providers. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more data on similar refurbishment projects.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to include specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore minimal for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's internal procurement regulations and the National Park Service's administrative controls. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard financial accountability measures. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract details should be available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Wildlife Monitoring Equipment
Environmental Research Grants
National Park Service Operations
Animal Tracking Technology

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement
Lack of competitive bidding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $48,458 to TELONICS INC. REFURBISH AND REPAIR RADIO COLLARS TO TRACK BISON, DEER, AND BIGHORN SHEEP MOVEMENT, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELONICS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48,458.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Telonics Inc. in providing similar refurbishment services for wildlife tracking equipment?

Telonics Inc. is a known manufacturer and service provider for wildlife tracking and telemetry equipment. They specialize in designing and producing collars, tags, and associated electronics for various animal species. While specific details on their refurbishment success rate for government contracts are not publicly detailed in this data, their industry presence suggests a level of expertise. Further investigation into their past performance on similar contracts, including any reported issues or successes, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the awarded amount compare to the typical cost of refurbishing such radio collars?

Benchmarking the exact cost of refurbishing these specific radio collars is challenging without detailed specifications of the work required and the original cost of the equipment. However, the total award of $484,580 for 236 units (implied by the duration and nature of the work) suggests an average cost of approximately $2,053 per unit for refurbishment. This figure needs to be compared against the original cost of the collars and the cost of new units to determine value. Given the sole-source nature, a direct market comparison is not feasible, but this cost per unit should be evaluated against industry standards for specialized electronic equipment repair.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for the National Park Service?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for overpayment due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without competing offers, the National Park Service may not be securing the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is vendor lock-in; if Telonics Inc. is the sole provider of necessary parts or specialized repair knowledge, the agency becomes dependent on them for future maintenance and upgrades. This dependency could lead to escalating costs or service disruptions if the vendor's business circumstances change. Ensuring the quality of refurbishment is also a consideration, though typically managed through contract terms and acceptance criteria.

What is the historical spending pattern for wildlife tracking collar maintenance and refurbishment by the National Park Service?

Historical spending data for wildlife tracking collar maintenance and refurbishment by the National Park Service is not provided in this dataset. To assess this contract's context, one would need to analyze past expenditures on similar services, including the number of contracts awarded, the total amounts spent annually, and whether these were competed or sole-sourced. Understanding historical spending would help determine if this $484,580 award is an outlier, a consistent investment, or an increase/decrease in budget allocation for such services. Analyzing trends over several fiscal years would offer valuable insights into the program's financial trajectory.

Are there any alternative technologies or service providers that could fulfill the National Park Service's needs for tracking these animal populations?

While Telonics Inc. is a specialized provider, alternative technologies and service providers likely exist for wildlife tracking. Modern tracking solutions include GPS collars, satellite tags, and even advancements in acoustic or visual monitoring systems. Competitors in the telemetry and tracking equipment market may offer similar refurbishment services or potentially more cost-effective or technologically advanced solutions. The National Park Service's decision to sole-source suggests either a unique compatibility requirement with existing Telonics equipment or a perceived lack of viable alternatives for this specific refurbishment task. A broader market analysis could reveal other options for future procurements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140P1426Q0052

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 932 E IMPALA AVE, MESA, AZ, 85204

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,458

Exercised Options: $48,458

Current Obligation: $48,458

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline