Justification_for_Other_Than_Full_and_Open_Competition_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

In accordance with the authority granted under 41 U.S.C. 253(c), this request for award under other than full and open competition is hereby submitted.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

Bureau of Land Management – Central Yukon Field Office

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

Due to the circumstances described below, request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of the BLM need to refurbish 18 frequency-specific radio collars originally manufactured by Telonics Inc.

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

The BLM Central Yukon Field Office has monitored caribou distribution and range use collaboratively with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since the 1980s. This work fulfills agency directives as described in BLM Department Manual 6500. BLM and ADFG use radio collars affixed to individual caribou to conduct this work.

This equipment must be refurbished and redeployed periodically (every 3-5 years) to maintain a sufficient number of animals with active collars. The BLM purchased 37 radio collars from Telonics Inc. in 2019. Eighteen (18) of these units were retrieved from the field and must be refurbished and redeployed to support ongoing monitoring work.

Units are damaged and worn after prolonged use. Refurbishment includes replacing the internal battery, repairing the wiring, electronics, and housing unit as necessary, and replacing the strap and hardware that affixes the unit to the animal’s neck. The cost to refurbish each unit is $1,250. The total cost to refurbish 18 units is $22,500. The estimated cost to ship the new units is $311.

4. An identification of the Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition:

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.

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

This equipment was manufactured by Telonics Inc. Telonics is the only company equipped to refurbish the equipment they manufacture.

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 5.202 applies:

None. A notice was not publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable, and the basis for that determination:

To submit an acceptable quote, the vendor must certify their established market prices through provision 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment- Certification. Through market pricing, the anticipated cost has been determined fair and reasonable as it is a commercially available service.

8. A description of the market research conducted (FAR part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Market research verifying the cost was a commercially available service was done.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition FAR 6.303-2(a) (9)):

None.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:

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 or services required:

In future requirements for caribou GPS radio collars, consideration will be given to other vendors and if a different supplier can meet the need of the BLM.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, hereby, certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or scheduled requirements, and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief:

/s/Erin Julianus 2/27/2024 Requisitioner’s Signature Date

I, hereby, certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

/s/Nicole Maldonado_______________________ __3/27/2024____________________ Contracting Officer’s Signature Date