NOI Single-Source-or-Brand-Name-Justification SCBA.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification under

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items (FAR 13.5) Control No. (if applicable) ______________________

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA Forest Service Region 5 Contracting Activity: Region 5, CSA 3

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

Purchase sole source Drager PSS 5000 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to outfit multiple engines across multiple forests in Region 5 in accordance with the Region 5 Respiratory Protection Plan. Three years ago, Region 5 began the replacement and standardization of all Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and structural turnout equipment for all forests.

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

The purchase of the following:

Drager PSS 5000 SCBA Pack Frames, Drager FPS 7000 SCBA Masks with Heads-Up Display, and Drager 45 minute, 4500PSI SCBA Bottles with Quick Connect Fitting.

Drager PSS 5000 Pack- $4,420 per pack Drager FPS 7000 Mask- $485 per mask Drager 45 Minute, 4500 PSI SCBA Bottle- $815 per bottle Cylinder QC Adapter HP - $90.00 each The total estimated cost is $

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

41 U.S.C § 1901 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures up to $7.5 million, as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

5. Supporting rationale demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

Region 5 began replacing all SCBA units at each forest to update the equipment and maintain compliance with the Region 5 Respiratory Protection Plan. The intent of this replacement program is to standardize the equipment across all Region 5, allowing one standard to be developed for use and to allow forests to smoothly operate with each other. After market research was conducted, it was determined the product manufactured by Drager but sold by Cascade Fire Equipment was best suited to meet the needs of the region. Drager products are proprietary and cannot interface with other SCBA manufacturers, therefore a deviation from Drager would result in non- interoperability between equipment within each forests. To start with, Region 5 invested $1.0 million to begin the transition to Drager equipment and over the years it resulted in additional $2.85 million for a total of $3.85 million for the replacement of existing equipment. The selection of Drager was made by the Region 5 SCBA

Working Group, consisting of multiple members from across the region. Drager offers unique features as follows:

• Fully wireless Heads-Up Display System, visible both inside and outside the mask

• Quick Connect bottle fitting with removable adaptor to allow compatibility across all fill stations

• Internally routed air and electronic systems

• Non-indexed connection system for Lung Demand Valve to Mask connection

• Integrated PASS Alarm System with 360-degree transmission of light and sound around user

• Removable waist belt and shoulder harness for decontamination

• Articulating waist belt for increased firefighter mobility and safety

• Redundant power source for all electronics for increased firefighter safety. Power supplied by replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries are not desired

• Waist belt and should harness straps are made of a vulcanized rubber material, limiting absorption of water and contaminates.

• Drag handles at each side of SCBA rated at 600lbs

• Pneumatic whistle for Eng of Service Life Indication

• Three sizes of masks, and three sizes of nose cups, for optimal fit across a wide variety of firefighters

• Unobstructed view from mask

• Mask provides three sealing surfaces for optimal firefighter safety

To date standardization has led to 94 engines, with an additional $2.3 allocated in FY25 to complete an additional 101 engines. As the replacement moves forward, it is imperative that the same brand name equipment is adhered to in order to achieve the goal of a single brand across the Region. Any deviation from the selected equipment will undermine the results of this process and result in increased cost to government, decreased operational consistency, and reduced firefighter safety.

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

A request for information was posted on SAM.gov using NAICS code 339999, All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing on 16 July 2025 and it closed on 21 July 2025. One response was received from Cascade Fire Equipment, and it was determined they are the only source that can provide Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the Forest Service. The results are saved in the Market Research folder A.03 in the contract file. The current vendor, Cascade Fire Equipment, has been providing this equipment and providing the required training, annual service, and fit testing at no additional cost. This initial fit testing is completed with each order and has represented a cost savings of $40,000 to the government.

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

The Contracting Officer will reference FAR 13.103-3(a)(2)(ii) and utilize previously awarded contract as a means of determining the price to be fair and reasonable. In September 2024, CSA 3 awarded a contract 127EAT24C0005, for SCBA equipment. This contract will be awarded 56% less than the previous awarded contract in 2024. A savings of $2.9M to the government.

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

Specifications for the SCBA equipment were developed by the Region 5 SCBA working group and a request for information was posted on SAM.gov using NAICS code 339999, All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing on 16 July 2025 and it closed on 21 July 2025. One response was received from Cascade Fire Equipment, and it was determined they are the only source that can provide Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the Forest Service. The results are saved in the Market Research folder A.03 in the contract file.

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

Currently, with Region 5 there are 6 different brands of SCBA being utilized. This equipment is also beyond its service life and is in need of complete replacement. The number of different brands of equipment in use results in confusion between units, the inability to develop one training and service standard, increased life safety threat, and an increased cost to government due to purchasing the required equipment from multiple different vendors. This will allow all forests to operate on the same equipment to increase life safety, reduce costs for the government, and standardize training and service across the region.

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

The previous awarded contracts (A request for information was posted on SAM.gov using NAICS code 339999, All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing on 16 July 2025 and it closed on 21 July 2025. One response was received from Cascade Fire Equipment, and it was determined they are the only source that can provide Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the Forest Service.

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

The future placement of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for future acquisitions will enable single brand sourcing for future procurement until all equipment is standardized across the Region.

Certifications & Approvals

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

Gregory Lowdermilk Region 5 SCBA Working Group Chair

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.

Megan Acord Contracting Officer

Additional Reviews & Approvals

Advocate for competition for the procuring activity (if over $750,000). 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/MASCO, I hereby approve this justification.

Insert Name of the Procuring Activity Competition Advocate/MASCO Title:

Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition

Notes and Guidance. Delete these notes prior to finalizing document for signature.

Acquisitions using the procedures in FAR Part 13.5 (e.g., commercial supplies/services valued at more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) but not exceeding $7.5 million, including options), are exempt from the requirements in FAR Part 6; however, Contracting Officers must conduct sole source acquisitions (including brand name) under FAR 13.501 only if the need to do so is justified in writing and approved at the levels specified in FAR 13.501(a)(2).

Program personnel are advised to work with contracting personnel early on in order to promote and provide for full and open competition to the maximum extent practicable. In circumstances permitting other than full and open competition, program personnel shall provide necessary information to contracting personnel to support and document the circumstances limiting competition through the use of this form.

Advance planning. Contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of (1) a lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or (2) concerns related to the amount of funds available to the agency or activity for the acquisition of supplies or services.

Brand Name. Items peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer. Brand name specifications shall not be used unless 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. See below for posting requirements.

Posting. Contracting Officers shall make justifications publicly available (excluding brand name) within 14 days after contract award, in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii) and the procedures at FAR 6.305(a). In the case of unusual and compelling urgency, justifications shall be made publicly available within 30 days after contract award in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii) and the procedures at 6.305 (b), (d), (e), and (f). Brand name justifications shall be posted with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6).

Screening. Before posting this Justification, in accordance with FAR 6.305(e) and 24.202, the Contracting Officer is responsible to redact any information that is exempt from disclosure under Freedom of Information Act or information proprietary to the contractor.

Signatures. After review and completion by the Program Office and Contracting Officer, the Word document shall be converted to an Adobe PDF file and routed for electronic signatures. Adobe signature blocks shall include dates.