SoleSourceUASLEAfor_posting.doc

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. AGENCY INFORMATION

USDA, Forest Service

Forest Products laboratory

One Gifford Pinchot Drive

Madison, WI 53726-2398

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

a. Acquisition, by noncompetitive contract, of research and development support for Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team Pesticide Application Technology Program.

b. Proposed vendor:

Leading Edge Associates, Inc.

3. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRED, INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE

Description: This effort will be a firm-fixed price Research and Design (FAR part 35) action. The purpose of this contract is to advance scientific and technical knowledge related to the fields of Pesticide Application Science and Engineering. The unique skills of LEA, Inc. results in a unique possibility for creating an arrangement to solve the FS need to develop and understand pesticide application technology.

Both LEA and FHAAST have mutual interests in understanding the utility and performance characteristics of applying pesticides with drones. FHAAST and FS-DFHP have the experience in applying pesticides in difficult scenarios such as riparian strips and hard to reach terrain. However, LEA has the following qualifications necessary to perform this work:

14 CFR Part 137 - Agricultural Aircraft Operations

FAA 333 Exemption for use of sUAS for aerial agricultural applications

FAA Part 107 Pilot License

FAA Part 61 Pilot License

State of Idaho Professional Aerial Applicators License

State of Montana Commercial Aerial Applicators License

Also, LEA has experienced in the areas spray system design and droplet size analysis because Unmanned Aircraft System must be analyzed for droplet spectrum and swath width and the Unmanned Aircraft Spray System must be capable of producing the legal droplet spectrum as stated on the product label.

Estimated Value:

$25,000

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The authority permitting other than full and open competition in this acquisition is in FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), under the Application in 6.302-3(b)(2)(iii). This authority allows for other than full and open competition when the requirement is needed to “establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution . . . ”

5. PROPOSED CONTRACTORS’S QUALIFICATIONS

LEA has the specific expertise required (often by law) to perform this work as stated above:

1. 14 CFR Part 137 - Agricultural Aircraft Operations

2. FAA 333 Exemption for use of sUAS for aerial agricultural applications

3. FAA Part 107 Pilot License

4. FAA Part 61 Pilot License

5. State of Idaho Professional Aerial Applicators License

6 State of Montana Commerical Aerial Applicators License

As well as substantial experience in aerial application of all kinds and specifically with UAS.

6. EFFORTS MADE TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

The nature of R&D contracts does not always lend itself to competition, as referenced in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 35.007 – Research and Development Solicitations, which reads:

The submission and subsequent evaluation of an inordinate number of R&D proposals from sources lacking appropriate qualifications is costly and time-consuming to both industry and the Government. Therefore, contracting officers should initially distribute solicitations only to sources technically qualified to perform research or development in the specific field of science or technology involved. Cognizant technical personnel should recommend potential sources that appear qualified, as a result of --

(1) Present and past performance of similar work;

(2) Professional stature and reputation;

(3) Relative position in a particular field of endeavor;

(4) Ability to acquire and retain the professional and technical capability, including facilities, required to perform the work; and

(5) Other relevant factors.

We are very aware of the companies working in this field and have discussed this with a number of them. None of them have the combination of experience, equipment and specific certifications that LEA offers.

7. DETERMINATION THAT ANTICAPTED COST WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The amount shown here is based on prior experience and familiarity with the development task at hand.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET SURVEY

A market survey is not applicable to this requirement for reasons determined above.

9. OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS

FAR 35.002 – Research and Development General, acknowledges the unique purposes and difficulties in contacting for research actions. It reads:

The primary purpose of contracted R&D programs is to advance scientific and technical knowledge and apply that knowledge to the extent necessary to achieve agency and national goals. Unlike contracts for supplies and services, most R&D contracts are directed toward objectives for which the work or methods cannot be precisely described in advance. It is difficult to judge the probabilities of success or required effort for technical approaches, some of which offer little or no early assurance of full success. The contracting process shall be used to encourage the best sources from the scientific and industrial community to become involved in the program and must provide an environment in which the work can be pursued with reasonable flexibility and minimum administrative burden.

10. OTHER INTERESTED SOURCES

Not Applicable

11. ACTIONS TO OVER COME BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

Not Applicable As required by FAR 6.303-1 and 6.303-2, the undersigned do herby certify that the data and information provided by us to support our recommendation for contracting for acquisition of Research Support Services without providing for full and open competition, is accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge and belief.

/s/ Harold Thistle

Harold Thistle Program Manager

FHAAST

_/S/ Colleen Reittinger____

Colleen Reittinger

Contracting Officer

Acquisition Group Leader