A5_JOFOCEXECUTED.10.04.2019.pdf

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JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY:

Requesting Agency:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services

4700 River Road, Unit 44 Riverdale, MD 20737

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch 250 Marquette Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED:

USA Animal Health Association conference in Providence, Rhode Island from Oct. 23 - 28, 2019.

3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES

REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED

VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

VS employees attend the conference for $525 per person in order to gain knowledge in their applicable area of animal health as well as collaborate with state and industry counterparts on common topics and concerns in animal health.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements.

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

There is no other conference where federal and state counter-parts along with industry meets to share information and create resolutions (joint/transparent agreements), collectively. This is truly a unique gather for animal health and collaboration between all players in this industry.

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6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS

PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE,

PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

(FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202

APPLIES:

This justification will be posted in accordance with FAR part 5 as the total value exceeds $25,000.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FORTHAT DETERMINATION:

USDA attendees are offered a federal group registration rate. This rate is equivalent to the current member rate of $350.00, plus member dues in the amount of $155.00; totaling $525.00. If the federal group registration rate was not available, USDA attendees would be charged at the non-member rate of $630.00. The federal group registration rate, was created as a cost-savings to the government; which was $105 per person for this year’s meeting (total savings of $11,025.00). Last year’s conference rate was $460 per federal employee. The registration rate this year is a 12% increase which is a similar incremental percentage increase occurring in prior years, namely the year 2016. There has been no increases in rate for a period of three years. The incremental increase from 2018-2019 appears reasonable given the length of time the association has implemented a rate increase, and the flat rate is reasonable given the discounts provided the agency.

8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR

PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON

MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED:

This conference is an annual conference that discusses the latest developments in animal health each year. It is imperative our staff attend so that our agency can be on the leading edge with the latest animal health developments.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9):

n/a

10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN

INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON:

None

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES,

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EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

This is a unique conference held once per year. To our knowledge, there are no other conferences like this one that offer the knowledge and resources necessary for us to execute APHIS Veterinary Services mission.

12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS

JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY

KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

Rita Fish-Whitlock Date Program Manager Date Contracting Specialist Minneapolis Procurement Branch