A15_Brand_Name_Justification_-_Signed_1.pdf

Date: May 20, 2024

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

CONTRACTING PROGRAM

Justification for Brand Name Products

Project: Skid Steer

1. Identifications

a. Agency: National Park Service

b. Contracting Office: Ohio MABO

2. Description of the action being approved:

The National Park Service (NPS) shall be soliciting for a Skid Steer. The documents included with the solicitation call for specific brand name products that are peculiar to one manufacturer. This written justification provides approval for limiting competition to the listed brand name products as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

3. Description of supplies and services:

Pecos National Historical Park needs to replace its 1997 Bobcat 863, Property Number PNP7000068205, Product Identification Number 514412473 skid steer loader. The machine is in poor condition, critical safety features are failing, and the machine is no longer reliable. The park seeks to replace Bobcat 863 with a Caterpillar 242D3 skid steer loader. The park already owns and earlier model, a 2018 Caterpillar 242D, of this same machine and would like to maintain consistency in controls for the safety of the park staff and ability to use attachments currently owned by the park interchangeably allowing this selection to create efficiencies in park operations.

4. Authority:

a. 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

b. FAR Part 11.105: The Brand Name products are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet and cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs.

c. FAR 6.302-1: The use of the name brand products are essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

5. The description of the product’s unique qualifications or the unique nature of the acquisition:

Control Interlock System that disables and locks hydraulic and hydrostatic systems and engages parking brake on machine when operator leaves seat or armrests are raised. Familiar controls for park staff as other Caterpillar 242 skid steer loader owned by Pecos NHP. This decreases the instance of user error and safety concerns while switching between machines. Compatible to attachments currently owned by Pecos NHP including CAT BA118C Powered Broom, CAT 1902 Forks, CAT 481-3668 Snowplow Blade & Caterpillar A41 SSL/A41 Hydraulic Auger.

6. Efforts to obtain competition:

a. Efforts to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable:

For acquisitions over $25,000 the solicitation will be issued on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov.

b. Presolicitation notice per FAR 5.2:

For acquisitions over $25,000 a presolicitation notice shall be posted on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov unless the exception noted at FAR Part 5.202(a)(13) applies.

JAMES HUCK

Digitally signed by JAMES HUCK Date: 2024.05.20 13:04:23 -06'00'

7. Determination that costs will be fair & reasonable:

Quotes obtained through online tools and local dealerships show pricing to be consistent and costs of Caterpillar 242D3 found to cost less than similar sized machines without the need to reacquire attachments estimated to cost approximately $15,000-$18,000.

8. Description of the market research conducted:

Market research has demonstrated that the Caterpillar 242D3 with Cab and 74” bucket will cost approximately $72,000. Similar sized John Deere 324G Skid steer with cab and 74” bucket to cost approximately $86,000. Similar sized Bobcat S650 T4 Skid Steer with cab and 74” bucket costs approximately $82,000.

9. Other facts supporting other than full & open competition:

a. Reason why documents suitable for full & open competition have not been developed:

It is not cost effective to convert Caterpillar brand attachments to operate on any skid steer loader including John Deere, New Holland, Case, Kubota, Gehl, Mustang, Takeuchi and others. Pecos National Historical Park has four attachments that require hydraulic, and at times, communication controls that are not easily modified and could cause damage to both the equipment and the attachment.

Useability between equipment creates efficiency, effectiveness and safe operations. Pecos National Historical Park currently owns an earlier model of the Caterpillar 242D and having the same operating controls for both machines creates the capacity to provide a condition for park staff to perform tasks safely, effectively and efficiently while accomplishing needed work.

b. Data, estimated costs or other rationale as to the extent or harm to the Government:

Redundant attachments will need to be purchased at a cost of $15,000 - $18,000.

10. Interested Sources:

Wagner Caterpillar, Albuquerque, NM

11. Actions to remove barriers to competition in the future for similar acquisitions:

Utilization of existing attachments and useability between equipment will not be required for most of the equipment operated by the staff of Pecos National Historical Park.

12. Certifications:

Technical / Requirements Certification:

I certify that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (i.e. verifying the

Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate:

(Signature) (Date) 5/20/2024

(Type or Print Name): James Huck

(Title): Pecos National Historical Park Facilities Manager

Up to $50,000

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

(Signature) (Date)

(Type or Print Name):

Contracting Officer

(Date)

(Date)

Reviewed by MABO Lead (exceeding $50,000):

(Signature)

(Type or Print Name): Katherine Bernard Lead Contracting Officer

Reviewed/Concur/Approved by: (exceeding $250,000)

(Signature)

(Type or Print Name):

Regional Chief of Contracting

7/23/24 Colette Riegelmayer

7/23/2024