1114677 Sole Source Justification Hydroseeders HTNF SIGNED.pdf

SOLE SOURCE or BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION (FAR 13 Under the SAT)

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED

State the requesting organization and the supplies or services required. Include the total estimated value and the period of performance or required delivery timeframe.

Requesting Organization: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF)

Total Estimated Value: $69,626 (Includes Shipping)

Required Delivery Timeframe: March 1, 2024 (Delivery Date)

Supplies Required with Estimated Values:

a. 500-Gallon Capacity Hydroseeder with Trailer $42,626

b. 100-Gallon Capacity Skid Type Hydroseeder $12,000

Estimated Shipping Cost: $15,000

2. JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLICITING FROM A SINGLE SOURCE or FOR A BRAND NAME

Provide a detailed reason why another vendor or another brand name cannot be used to provide the required supplies or services.

A salient characteristic of both hydroseeders is:

a. A poly (i.e., plastic) tank for easy and quick cleanup and rust resistance.

A hydroseeder tank that is rust resistant and easy and quick to clean will allow for the hydroseeders to remain cleaner and without rust over time, thus allowing the equipment to last longer while also remaining in use for decades.

Hydroseeders with similar capacities sold by other vendors and/or that are other brand names often had steel tanks. Steel tanks are not rust resistant or quick and easy to clean. Thus, hydroseeders with steel tanks may become increasingly rusty and much dirtier over time, which could hinder the productivity of the hydroseeders as they would need to be thoroughly cleaned after each use and have a higher likelihood of malfunction or breakdown due to dirt and rust buildup. Hydroseeders with steel tanks would, therefore, have a shorter life expectancy than the hydroseeders with plastic tanks. Thus, the plastic tanks are a salient feature of the Turbo Turf hydroseeders.

Salient characteristics of the 500-gallon capacity hydroseeder with trailer are:

a. Hydraulically driven paddle agitation within the tank.

Paddle agitation is preferred over jet agitation, as it provides a more thorough and homogenized hydroseed mixture, which is better for both application and cleanup.

b. A flush tank capacity of 50 gallons for effective and efficient cleanup and use.

The ability to flush the tank at the end of a hydroseeding application with 50 gallons of water allows for cleanup within 2 minutes.

The 50-gallon flush tank also provides an extra buffer of hydroseeding material if an application runs a little short.

c. The ability to accommodate a wide variety of hydroseeding materials and full mulch bales.

d. The accompanying trailer, which is required for transport across the HTNF.

The salient characteristics of the 100-gallon capacity hydroseeder are:

a. The ability to fit in the back of a pickup truck or utility task vehicle (UTV) but can also be operated from a trailer.

b. Low maintenance needs and relatively easy to operate, since the hydroseeder will be used to remote locations on difficult terrain where hydroseeding applications must be completed safely, effectively, and efficiently.

c. Long life expectancy.

Comparisons of Turbo Turf Hydroseeders with Other Vendors and/or Similar Hydroseeders:

a. Easy Lawn vendor/brand name (https://turboturf.com/hm-500-harv/) has a 550-gallon hydroseeder with a plastic tank, but it:

Is not sold with a trailer, which is needed for transport.

o Easy Lawn sells a 900-gallon hydroseeder with a poly (or plastic) tank, but the size is bigger than is needed and would not travel as well through the remote locations on the HTNF.

Has jet agitation rather than paddle agitation. Jet agitation is not as thorough at mixing compared to paddle agitation.

b. Henderson Hydroseeders vendor/brand name (https://www.hendersonhydroseeders.com/shop) sells a 525-gallon hydroseeder and 125-gallon hydroseeder with plastic tanks, but:

The 525-gallon hydroseeder Is not sold with a trailer, which is needed for transport.

The 525-gallon hydroseeder does not have paddle agitation.

The 125-gallon hydroseeder does not have many of the salient characteristics of the

Turbo Turf 100-gallon hydroseeder that allow for the long-life expectancy and low maintenance of the Turbo Turf hydroseeder.

c. Rittenhouse vendor (Hydroseeder Equipment & Machinery (mkrittenhouse.com) sells the Turbo Turf brand hydroseeders but does not have the same 500-gallon and 100-gallon capacity hydroseeders with all of the salient characteristics.

d. Emerald Seed & Supply / Equipment (https://www.emeraldseedandsupply.com/equipment/hydroseeders_15k.html) sells some

Turbo Turf hydroseeders along with other hydroseeder brands (e.g., Bowie and Kincaid), but none of the hydroseeders sold from this vendor have the salient specifications needed by the HTNF.

3. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

Describe what market research was conducted in an effort to identify other vendors or brands suitable for the Government’s requirements; or provide the reason market research was not conducted.

Please see the accompanying completed Customer Market Research Documentation Form.

All of the sources of market research listed on the Customer Market Research Documentation were considered and investigated (though not all sources were applicable for the purchase of this equipment). No hydroseeders were sold or listed through any of the mandatory market research sources.

Thorough internet searches were completed when researching hydroseeders for this purpose. Other hydroseeder vendors/brand names did not provide all of the salient characteristics offered by the Turbo Turf hydroseeders (see item #2 above).

4. STEPS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE SINGLE SOURCE (or BRAND NAME) AWARDS

State what planned actions will the agency take, in order to ensure competition on future requirements for these supplies or services.

The purchase of these hydroseeders (and one accompanying trailer) is a one-time purchase for the HTNF. No additional hydroseeders are needed for the HTNF, as these two hydroseeders have the salient features necessary to last for decades and fulfill the needs of the forest well into the future.

5. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is available for the required services.

Concur/Does Not Concur:

Contracting Officer