Brand_Name_Justification_R_0001.pdf

PR Number: PR 0040623515

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $10,000.00 ($2,000/$2500 for Construction/Services)

AND UP TO $250,000

(See FAR 13.106-1)

Date: August 22, 2023

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost):

The Northeast Regional Fire & Aviation program has a brand specific requirement for new BK Technologies mobile and portable two-way VHF radios and accessories to replace legacy equipment that is no longer supported and is failing. There is a need to purchase, 10-BK Technologies BKR500 Portable VHF Radios and Accessories and 1-KNG-M150 Mobile Radio and Accessories. These radios are required to support daily and emergency incident communications while National Park Service wildland firefighters respond to wildfires or all-hazard incidents or related activities within federal land management agencies.

2. Brand Name/Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

_____ Only one responsible source.

_____ Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met.

__X__ Other: BRAND NAME________________________________________________

Explain:

Radios satisfying this requirement must be compatible with existing BK Technologies 2-way radios and park radio equipment to ensure proper functionality and use in terms of wildland fire and all-hazard incident communications by federal land management agencies. BK Technologies BKR5000 portable and KNG-M150 mobile radios are field programable between all models of BK radios. This aligns with interoperability requirements per radio equipment cache equipment available from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), and other major federal land management agencies and provides consistent interagency operability and capability with-in the interagency federal dispatch system. Due to the ubiquitous nature of this manufacturer within the federal and state land management agencies, technical support supplies and materials are on hand for these units, and NPS technical staff has a high level of training and familiarity with the maintenance and operation of this units. Brand specific justification is warranted to support the requirement for compatibility with proprietary features of BK Technologies products.

3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received, or anyone expressed interest:

Only BK Technologies 2-way VHF radios and equipment can meet this requirement due to the proprietary nature of existing in-place BK Technologies radios, hardware, software, and network/support systems in place within interagency Wildland Fire & Aviation programs. BK Technologies 2-way VHF radios are the national standard for wildland fire and all-hazard incident communications by federal land management agencies. BK Technologies BKR5000 portable and KNG-M150 mobile radios are field programable between all models of BK radios. This aligns with interoperability requirements per radio equipment cache equipment available from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), and other major federal land management agencies. Due to the ubiquitous nature of this radio within the federal and state land management agencies, technical support supplies and materials are on hand for these units, and NPS technical staff has a high level of training and familiarity with the maintenance and operation of these radios. This office has thoroughly researched this issue. No other manufacturer can meet these requirements or specifications.

4. If this is a determination for sole source, the contracting officer certifies:

a. Multiple sources are available, but only one brand name is being sought.

b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).

COR/Project Officer

Type or Print Name: David S. Robinson, NPS, IR1-NAA Regional FMO_______

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) ___8/23/23______

Contracting Officer

Type or Print Name: __________________________________________

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) ______________

Over $50,000:(if applicable)

Warranted Individual 1 Level Above Contracting Officer

Type or Print Name: __________________________________________

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) ______________