REDACTED_FINAL_SIGNED_PDF_Sole_Source_Justification_signed_SAFE_BOATS.pdf

Version 1.0

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

SOLE SOURCE

FOR AN ACTION EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

USING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901)

NFFR7400-18-01858

1. Agency and contracting activity.

Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Western Acquisition Division and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

(PIFSC).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a new requirement for a sole source Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract to purchase a 19ft SAFE Boat center console boat, with an option to purchase up to two additional boats to be purchased in subsequent option periods from SAFE Boats International, LLC. An indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with firm-fixed unit pricing is anticipated.

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

This requirement is for the manufacture of fully outfitted 19’ SAFE Boat center console boats.

Each boat shall include the appropriately load rated, dual axle EZ Loader boat trailer and delivery to PIFSC in Honolulu, Hawaii.

These boats will seamlessly replace a vessel of the same size, make, and model that is no longer able to perform specialized, remote, ship-based (launched and recovered) marine research across the Pacific Islands Region. All of the specialized support equipment (e.g. seagoing shipboard boat cradles, common and containerized spare parts, etc.), hoisting capacities, and scientific operations have been designed around this exact hull design (shape, size, weight), capacity, and configuration.

The anticipated period of performance for this requirement is from date of contract award through September 20, 2021.

The Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) of one new 19ft SAFE Boat is $ . A minimum of one boat and a maximum of three boats is required over the life of the contract, with a not-to-exceed ceiling of $ .

4. Statutory authority permitting the sole source (including brand name) acquisition.

XX 41 U.S.C. 1901, using SAP up to $7M as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

NFFR7400-18-01858

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Contracting Officer has determined the following circumstances justify the use of a sole source for the required SAFE Boat as supported below:

All of NOAA’s Hawaii-based seagoing small boat operations and equipment have been optimized over the last 15 years around the specific size, design, shape, rated capacity, and capabilities of the 19ft SAFE Boat center console. SAFE Boats International, LLC is the sole source manufacturer of foam-stabilized watercraft in North America. Working under a set of exclusive patents and licenses allows only SBI to utilize a full-sized foam collar system for flotation, stability and fendering (Patent Numbers: #5,282,436 #5,647,297, and #5,870,965).

Consequently, no other company can build the required replacement boat(s) for the aging fleet other than SAFE Boats International, LLC. The company holds the existing design plans and specifications for the exact design, shape, rated capacity and capabilities of the required boat.

They have demonstrated a quality build through the manufacture of five (5) boats of the same make/model for NOAA’s Pacific Islands Region (2003-2012). A new 19ft SAFE Boat center console is the only boat that can seamlessly, readily, and without ancillary costs, integrates into the existing NOAA Hawaii fleet of boats.

Introducing any other boat into the fleet will reset an extensive learning curve for staff resulting in lost time (for dedicated training) and lost proficiency in maintaining and repairing dissimilar small boat assets. This, in turn, poses a threat to the successful completion of the scientific mission.

All NOAA coxswains in Hawaii, trained by PIFSC, have been taught on 19ft SAFE Boat center console boats (there are currently ~50 active NOAA coxswains in Hawaii). This cadre rotates throughout the field season and conducts varying stints at sea for research missions. The boats themselves are outfitted and equipped nearly identically. Because of this commonality;

operator proficiency and operational safety are enhanced.

PIFSC has developed and maintains a very extensive parts inventory to service 19’ SAFE Boats. While at sea, storage space available on deck for boat support pallet totes is both finite and very limited. Carrying boats of the same make/model of boat minimizes the number of unique parts that must be carried to facilitate both routine and emergency field repairs. The existing space for shipboard spare parts is currently maximized with no additional footprint to expand.

Additionally, a brand name requirement for Honda Engines has been deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer as supported below:

The fleet of PIFSC’s SAFE Boats is currently outfitted with Honda engines. While at sea, storage space available on deck for boat support pallet totes is both finite and very limited. Therefore, carrying replacement parts for the same make/model of engines minimizes the additional parts that must be carried to facilitate both routine and emergency field repairs.

NFFR7400-18-01858

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

As required by FAR 6.305(a), this sole source justification will be made publicly available via posting on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. Any responses received from the notification on FBO will be taken into consideration by the Government.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine price fair and reasonableness based on comparison with historical prices paid for these services. Prior to award of the proposed contract, price information shall be obtained from the contractor and a price analysis will be performed and documented to sufficiently determine that the cost to the government of the proposed acquisition will be fair and reasonable. Should a determination of fair and reasonable pricing be unable to made, an award will not be made.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Due to the necessity to ensure consistency and obtain these vessels seamlessly, readily and without ancillary costs, only SAFE Boat Center Console boats will meet the Government’s requirement. Due to their proprietary nature, no other vendors in the market place are authorized resellers of their equipment, therefore extensive market research was not conducted.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of a sole source (including brand name), such as:

NOAA PIFSC has owned and continuously operated 19ft SAFE Boat center console boats for the last 15 years, customized to fit a very specific need for ship-based operations. SAFE Boats International, LLC itself has been in business since 1997 and claims approximately 1,900 boats currently in service worldwide. Over this time, PIFSC has had the opportunity to gauge Safe Boat’s experience, proven design, material quality, construction ability, certified skilled labor, quality assurance program, long term repair and maintenance support services, and history of managing Government projects.

In addition to delivering high-performing, durable boats, Safe Boat also provides customers with direct access to a comprehensive in-house support network of trainers and technicians. Post- Delivery communications are facilitated through 24/7 online Parts and Customer Support.

In contrast, in recent years (2008-2011), the two NOAA Ships homeported in Honolulu purchased 3 (total) unique boats from a company that since went out of business. As such, the ships have been left with assets that are unsupported (parts, service, repairs, answered questions / advice / recommendations) by the manufacturer.