A16_JOFOC_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 (BLM), Central Yukon Field Office

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

Purchase of data service to upload, store, and distribute from BLM owned GPS-Iridium radiocollars.

Due to the circumstances described below, request the following be acquired using other that full and open competition in support of the BLM need for GPS-Iridium caribou collar data management and download services for hardware 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 since the 1980s. This work fulfills agency directives as described in BLM Department Manual 6500. BLM uses Telonics Inc. GPS collars affixed to individual caribou to conduct this work.

This purchase request is for the upload, storage, and distribution of GPS-Iridium collar data. Fifty-two (52) GPS-Iridium collars will record and store location data, and periodically (approximately monthly) transmit the data to Iridium satellites. The vendor will download the data from the satellites, store it, and distribute it to the BLM and Alaska Department of Fish and Game as data is available.

The estimated cost to activate and manage data for 52 GPS collars over 5 years is $38,670.00.

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

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i)

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

This project requires that the vendor be capable of downloading data from the GPS- Iridium satellite network, and must offer a data service for this type of satellite data. The vendor must be partnered with the company that manufactured the collars, Telonics, Inc., in order to acquire the data.

MetOcean Telematics is partnered with Telonics and offers these services. While other companies may have access to the GPS-Iridium satellite network, they are not partnered with Telonics, Inc. Using these companies would limit the BLM’s ability to effectively correct data issues that commonly arise (e.g., errors, erroneous locations) with such technology.

This project has been ongoing since 2020 with service provided by MetOcean Telematics. Procuring the services of MetOcean Telematics would provide continuity of data that is important to maintain the quality of the GPS location dataset.

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:

Only one source (MetOcean Telematics) is partnered with Telonics and offers these services.

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:

Pricing is offered at commercial market prices.

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:

GSA eLibrary and GSA Prices Paid Portal was searched. Radiocollar manufacturer, Telonics, Inc was contacted to discuss data management options and they indicated that MetOcean Telematics is their partnered service provider. This means that MetOcean Telematics are able to work with Telonics’ data processing software when processing GPS-Iridium location data.

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

No other vendors capable of providing service to preserve data consistency.

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

MetOcean Telematics

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:

There is no immediate plan by the BLM to replace existing inventory of Telonics, Inc radiocollars, which utilize MetOcean Telematics as their service provider, in the foreseeable future.

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__________________________ __6/25/2024______________________ 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___________________ ______8/29/2024___________________ Contracting Officer’s Signature Date

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i)