05082025_FAR 13 Single Source or Brand Name Justification Less Than SAT v2_FINAL-readcted.pdf

12048925Q0034-Fastmarkets Timber Reports

United States Department of Agriculture Sole Source Justification FAR 13.106-

1(b)(1)(i) – Simplified Acquisitions

FASTMARKETS TIMBER REPORTS

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA Forest Service. Acquisition greater than the micro-purchase threshold and less than the simplified acquisition threshold.

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

Yearly subscription services to forest product market related data and reports that are essential to managing the Forest Service Timber Management program.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

RISI Fastmarkets is the sole source of broad market related weekly publications and provides subscribers with an unmatched online information dashboard. The timber sale programs in Regions 6, 10, and 1 rely on specific price indices only available from reports provided by RISI Fastmarkets. This information is essential to performing the timber valuation appraisals that are required by law before timber is allowed to be sold. This subscription will also provide expanded market data in the form of short and long term market forecasts in addition to the support of an economist to tailor those forecasts based on proposed actions to meet the goals of the current administration under Executive Order (EO) 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production (March 1, 2025).

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Regions 6, 10, and 1 have maintained subscriptions with RISI Fastmarkets for several years. Each year they evaluate the market reports available for their areas of concern and by continuing the use of RISI Fastmarkets’ data, the Forest Service will reduce its costs by saving time and effort in having to learn new subscriptions. Additionally, other market reports do not provide the level of data the agency needs or require too much manpower and labor hours to be efficient.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

Single year subscription, including Regions 6, 10, 1, and the Washington Office, for up to 5 users per office totals $38,678 per year, and for five years the total is $193,390.00. This price is justified due to RISI’s more intensive and detailed analysis methods that best meet USFS business requirements for timber valuation in the Northwest. In addition to the market reports essential to the timber valuation appraisal process, RISI Fastmarkets is also able to provide targeted short and long-term market forecasts that will help evaluate actions proposed to meet the goals of the current administration under Executive Order (EO) 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production (March 1, 2025).

6. Recommended source(s).

12048925Q0034-Fastmarkets Timber Reports

RISI Inc. (d/b/a Fastmarkets RISI), 1 VAN DE GRAAFF DRIVE SUITE 601, BURLINGTON, MA

01803 USA

UEI: DANQEZLVJLY6

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

ANNEMARIE ANDERSON

Region 6 Timber Sale Prep, Stewardship, GNA, and TFPA Lead

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

JASON TANAMOR

Contracting Officer