JOFOC.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition United States Department of Agriculture

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Agency: USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco 3275 Appling Road Memphis, TN 38133

Contracting: USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco 100 Riverside Parkway Suite 101 Fredericksburg, VA 22406

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA, AMS, Cotton & Tobacco Program (CTP) is planning to award a sole source, firm fixed price contract to Integrated Solutions for the purchase of a second conditioning and conveyance system to be delivered and installed in the Memphis cotton classing facility located at 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, TN 38133.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The CTP is requesting a conditioning and conveyance system complete with two (2) fill workstations, six (6) loader workstations, ten (10) Rapid Conditioning Units, ten (10) HVI workstations, and four (4) classer workstations. The conveyance system requested features Interroll powered rollers, Interroll cards, Allen Bradley PLC’s, Banner reflective sensors, COGNEX scanners and Turck RFID read/write heads and tags for cotton sample identification. This system is projected to cost approximately $950,000 for the purchase of approximately 900 feet of conveyor and the peripherals described above, including delivery, installation, training, and warranty.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, titled "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements."

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

In 2017, the CTP issued a small business set-aside request for proposals (RFP) for a single conveyance system in the Memphis, TN office. Integrated Solutions was the contractor awarded the contract which included delivery, installation, training and warranty. The CTP is in need of a second system to expand its capabilities for cotton classification in the 2019 season. It is important to the CTP to have consistency and uniformity in the utilization of its cotton classification systems. Because Integrated delivered and install the first system, the CTP plans to use Integrated Solutions for the delivery and installation of the second system in Memphis, TN.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

A sole source notice for this requirement will be issued in the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO).

Any future requirements will be advertised in FBO.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The CTP has issued similar contracts in the past three years (3) and has developed an estimation of costs through historical pricing of the previous systems contracted. The pricing has been very consistent. Integrated Solutions proposed pricing has been determined to be fair and reasonable based upon previous contracts in multiple locations.

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

There was not specific market research done for this requirement. Integrated Solutions was awarded the contract for the first system installed in the Memphis office.

The CTP has issued an RFP in each of the last 2 years on this equipment. The most recent contract was awarded March 7, 2019. Integrated Solutions was awarded the contracts for these past requirements.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The main concern is to maintain consistency in the cotton classification equipment that is currently being utilized in the Memphis cotton classing office. The current equipment and it’s support is available locally. All parts and technical support are available within hours. The training of the seasonal personnel is also critical to the operation.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

No sources have expressed interest in this requirement.

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

Notices will be posted in FBO for any future conveyance systems required by CTP in other classing offices. This office currently has one system installed by Integrated Solutions. In order to keep the consistency in the systems and to make operating and support easier for current CTP staff, CTP needs to have the second system delivered and installed by Integrated Solutions.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Roger Alldredge Engineer

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Beverly Brown Contracting Officer

Additional Reviews & Approvals

Advocate for competition for the procuring activity (if over $700,000, but not exceeding $13.5 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, unless additional approvals are required as prescribed below, as advocate for competition for the procuring activity, I hereby approve this justification.

Larry Nelson Mission Area Advocate for Competition