A15_44022704_Justification_for_Other_Than_Full_and_Open_Competition_for_SAM_gov.pdf

BKR5000 2025 ACCESSORIES

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 – Alaska Fire Service – Telecommunications

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

The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska Fire Service (BLM-AFS) requests that the following items be contracted on a limited source basis for lifecycle replacement of an LMR Communications Service Monitor with required software options and accessories:

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

The action being sent for approval is the procurement for firm fixed price contract for the following P25 compliant equipment manufactured by VIAVI:

BRAND ITEM # DESCRIPTION QTY PRICE

VIAVI CX200 Communications Service Monitor 1 REDACTED VIAVI CX200-SVIP VIAVI Instrument Programming

Tool – Automation Tool for Custom Testing Procedures

1 REDACTED

VIAVI CX200-TPBK CX200 Auto-Test Package for BK Radio

1 REDACTED

VIAVI CX200-TPMA CX200 Auto-Test Package for Motorola APX Series

1 REDACTED

VIAVI CX200-DP251 CX200P25 P25 Conventional 1 REDACTED VIAVI CX200-SATE CX200 Auto-Test Enable 1 REDACTED VIAVI CX200-ACH CX200 Carrying Case – Hard

Transit

1 REDACTED

VIAVI CX300-ACBL RF Test Cable 6 REDACTED VIAVI CX300-ASOL Short – Open – Load Calibration

Tool

1 REDACTED

VIAVI CX300-ACS10 10 AMP Current Shunt 0.01 Ohm 2 REDACTED

Estimated dollar value: REDACTED

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

__X__ FAR 8.405 6(b) Items peculiar to one manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a 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.

5. A demonstration that the proposed brand name possesses unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

Due to the unique nature of BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Telecommunications’ mission of supporting LMR systems across a vast and remote landscape, primarily accessed via light helicopter, the physical dimensions, weight, temperature tolerance, and battery life are critical to the success of the mission. Telecommunications Specialists require the ability to auto-test large numbers of handheld Motorola and BK Radios every year (approximately 700 portable and 60 mobile radios) and perform high-precision bench work on Zetron (Codan/Daniels) base stations and repeaters while in the office. In addition, for field work they require lightweight, battery-powered Vector Network Analyzers and lightweight, battery-powered, P25-Compatible LMR Test Sets due to helicopter weight restrictions and the lack of AC power on remote repeater sites. Dead batteries can result in lengthy reboots and warm-up periods, reducing efficiency, increasing labor and aviation costs and exposing technicians and pilots to more risk due to increased time in remote locations.

Due to the limitations of the test sets available in the past, AFS has maintained three separate sets of LMR test and measurement equipment for each team of Telecommunications Specialists: one set of large, desktop test sets (currently Aeroflex 3920B) for high-precision bench work and auto-testing of KNG and Motorola radios, one set of portable, battery-powered test sets (currently VIAVI 3550R) for remote helicopter work, and one set of Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) devices for testing of antennas and duplexers. In recent years, several new test sets have come onto the market that offer Auto-Test functionality, Single-Port VNA, battery power, and relative portability (Astronics R8200 and VIAVI CX300), but physical bulk, weight, and limited battery life limited their effectiveness for remote helicopter operations.

The VIAVI CX200 SiteXpert Communications Service Monitor currently occupies a unique position in the market by offering a P25 Phase-2 Communications Service Monitor with built-in VNA, Auto-Test options for BK and Motorola Radios and three hours of battery life in a device that weighs less than nine (9) pounds and has a volume less than 320 cubic inches. This is compared to 15 pounds, 706 cubic inches and two hours of battery life for the CX300 and 15 pounds, 899 cubic inches, and 1.5 hours of battery life for the Astronics R8200. This compact and lightweight device can serve as a life-cycle replacement for three devices, conserving agency funds, simplifying logistics and technician training, and conserving precious weight and cargo space on small rotor-wing aircraft. It additionally now offers auto-test functionality on Zetron/Codan radios, which should offer significant labor savings and is not currently available from other manufacturers.

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:

This requirement will be solicited via SAM.gov with a Total Business Set-Aside to ensure as much participation as possible.

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:

After receipt of offers, the contracting officer will not make a contract award until the price is determined to be fair and reasonable.

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:

Extensive market research was conducted, but online and by speaking to manufacturers.

Devices considered included the Anritsu S412E LMR Master, VIAVI 8800SX, CX300, and CX200, Astronics R8200 and R8100.

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 acquisition:

N/A

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:

The BLM Alaska Fire Service Telecommunications Program will continue to monitor the market and keep an open dialog with supplies for any Communications Service Monitors that meet our operational requirements. As more equipment comes up for lifecycle replacement, all available options will be carefully considered.

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:

//Signed// _____________________________ 7/9/2025__________________________ 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:

//Signed// _______________________________ 7/14/2025__________________________ Contracting Officer’s Signature Date