1_5_1 Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer (Brand_Name) Exceeding MPT up to SAT_Redacted.pdf

www.uscis.gov

Rev: 10/13/2023

Brand-Name Justification, Exceeding the Micro-purchase Threshold and up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, Immigration Law Handbooks and Immigration Law Pocket Field Guides

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Contracting, proposes to award a delivery order on behalf of Human Capital and Training (HCT), resulting from a solicitation containing a brand-name specification.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Agency requires Immigration Law Handbooks and Immigration Law Pocket Field Guides through the Library of Congress FEDLINK Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, contract number LCFDL23D0035. The awardee is LexisNexis Special Services Inc. (LexisNexis), 1150 18th Street, NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20036.

USCIS intends to post the justification and supporting documentation in accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A).

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The Government is procuring 464 copies of Immigration Law Handbooks 2024 Ed (ISBN 9781663366436) and 539 Immigration Law Pocket Field Guide 2024 Ed (ISBN 9781663375070) for a total cost of $39,039.50.

4. Statutory exception and supporting rationale.

The specific authority for providing for brand name awards under multiple award contracts is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 16.505(a)(4). An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand-name item, even if available on more than one contract, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

Rationale:

The Basic Training Course for USCIS Immigration Adjudicators has utilized and tailored its training on the most recent tools and guides which includes U.S. Immigration Law.

The Immigration Law Handbook published by Lexis Nexis is the most comprehensive resource and only one available that includes current U.S. Codes regarding Immigration Law and the Immigration and Naturalization Act together in one publication. The Handbook and associated Pocket Field

Brand-Name Justification, Exceeding the MPT and up to the SAT, Immigration Law Handbooks and Pocket Field Guides

Guide are updated yearly and include the latest changes to the U.S. Codes. It is the only resource to include the Immigration and Naturalization Act, (INA), in its all-encompassing manual. The Immigration Law Handbook breaks down each subject in an orderly fashion that is in line with the way the curriculum is taught.

The Immigration Law Pocket Field Guide published by Lexis Nexis is a small pocket-sized quick reference tool that contains summary charts that officers utilize differently than large law books from other publishers. It is a reference tool designed to be utilized along with the Immigration Law Handbook. There are no comparable products in the marketplace that provide similar summary information and layout.

Due to the Immigration Law Handbook’s unique combination of U.S. Immigration Law Codes and Immigration and Naturalization Act together in one publication, the Government is able to save money through purchasing a single book rather than multiple. In addition, as the Immigration Law Handbook and Pocket Field Guides work together and fit seamlessly within the Basic Training Course for USCIS Immigration Adjudicators, utilizing alternate books would require changes to the course, thus incurring additional time and money.

5. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval.

I hereby certify that the Brand-Name Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.