Brand_Name_Justification_John_Deere_Planter_Signed.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Services (ARS)

Brand Name Justification

Authority: This document is prepared in accordance with the requirements of FAR 11.105(a) (1) and FAR 13.106-3(b) (3) (i).

“Agency requirements shall not be written so as to require a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company unless –

(a) The particular brand-name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs. . .”

Nature and Description: The USDA/ARS seeks to procure a quantity of (1) John Deere 1755 Planter

– Six Row – 30in.

Identification and Justification rationale: FAR 11.105(a) (1)

Rational: The requested Planter is needed to support ARS research program in the Beltsville, MD. The Location needs another planter for specific and common research.

They currently have a Four Row Planter that has multiple attachments. These attachments will also be able to be used by the new planter. Purchasing a different brand or model would require the purchase of new attachments as well. John Deere is the only brand that fulfills these capabilities.

Determination: The ordering activity determines the brand name source requirement represents the best value to the government. After an internal discussion among ARS research division employees it was determined that John Deere branded equipment would be the best choice to provide an Planter to the current ARS/Beltsville location.

Contacting Officer’s Determination: Based on the information provided above, in accordance with FAR 11.105(a) (1) and FAR 13.106-1(b) (1) I hereby determine that the proposed brand is the only brand reasonably available.

Contracting Officer Team Lead/ Branch Chief

Lynn S. Hults Jenny Matte

Signature:

Signature: