Collar Specifications, Capabilities, and Support Requirements: • Must utilize the Globalstar satellite system. • Capable of transmitting multiple GPS positions (minimum of 6 fixes) at least every other day. • Equipped with a VHF beacon featuring an integrated antenna system. • Estimated battery life of 4 years, based on a duty cycle of 12.5 hours per day of VHF beaconing, 8 hours GPS position acquisition, and data transmission upon reaching 6 fixes. • Electronic housing must be designed to absorb shock from head-butting behavior exhibited by male bighorn sheep during rutting. Minimum housing standards for males include a sealed aluminum enclosure encased in high-density polymer. • Collars must feature colored banding, available in a range of single or multi-color options. • Banding must be made from 1/16-inch TPU, which can be layered for added thickness for females or combined with butyl banding for enhanced strength for males. • Factory-adjustable banding width to allow for a wider section near the housing (e.g., 2 inches), tapering to a narrower width (e.g., 1.5 inches) around the rest of the collar for improved fit and reduced neck irritation. • Banding must have the ability to accept a cotton spacer as a passive dropoff system. • Banding must have an expandable system to allow for increased neck circumference of males during rutting
