WBR_1413_106-1_Determ_to_solicit_from_a_single_source_under_SAT__FAR_13_-_140R4024Q0018_1.pdf

Solicitation Number: 140R4024Q0018 Page 1 of 3

WBR 1413.106-1 Template 1 eFile - B02

(11/2020)

DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii), when a single source is identified to provide a portion of the purchase as a Brand-Name, the documentation in paragraph 3 must state that this determination is only for a portion of the requirement.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Basin, Region 7, Acquisition Management Division

2. Name and Address of Single Source.

Sierra Electric Cooperative, Inc.

610 Highway 195 Elephant Butte, New Mexico 87935-1820

3. Description of Supplies/Services and Estimated Cost.

The Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Basin, Albuquerque Area Office has a need for Sierra Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Sierra Electric) to upgrade electric service to the Elephant Butte Historic District (EBHD) Dam Site RV Park and the Dam Site Main Parking Lot located in Elephant Butte, NM. The upgrades will allow for new electric pedestals with 50amp, 30amp and 20amp outlets to be added at the Dam Site RV Park and DC Fast Charging electric vehicle stations to be added at the Dam Site Main Parking Lot. The current transformers in both locations are not big enough to service these upgrades. Sierra Electric will need to install new transformers and secondary underground feeders to the project site.

They will also need to remove their electric poles to allow for the electric lines to be buried to reduce visual impacts of poles in the historic district as well as reducing the potential safety hazard of old poles breaking and having live wires in trees. Sierra Electric will also need to remove two of their light poles to allow for new dark-sky compliant lights to be installed in strategic locations to allow star gazing while not sacrificing safety.

4. Description of Circumstances, including why only one source is reasonably available.

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), specific characteristics of the removal of Sierra Electric owned electric and light poles including the upgrade to Sierra Electric owned transformers and secondary underground feeders limit the availability to a sole source since the electric poles, light poles, and transformers are owned and operated by Sierra Electric. Sierra Electric is the sole provider of electricity for Sierra County, NM. Only the suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because only Sierra Electric can remove their stated electric and light poles, and upgrade the transformers as required by the Statement of

Solicitation Number: 140R4024Q0018 Page 2 of 3

Work quickly and efficiently with minimal cost. As stated above, the electric poles need to be removed to allow for the electric lines to be buried to reduce visual impacts of poles in the historic district as well as reducing the potential safety hazard of old poles breaking and having live wires in trees. The light poles need to be removed to allow for new dark-sky compliant lights to be installed in strategic locations to allow star gazing while not sacrificing safety. The upgrade to the transformers allows much needed new electric pedestals with 50amp, 30amp and 20amp outlets to be installed at the RV Park and for the Main Parking Lot to be upgraded with two DC Fast Charging electric vehicle stations. Although Sierra Electric may allow another company to perform some specified work on property they own, they would require a licensed engineering firm to provide certified specifications, Sierra Electric would then need to approve the specifications before a contract could be awarded and work could begin. This process would require additional time and would cost the Government more money which would not allow for the construction to begin on the overall EBHD Utility Rehab which is scheduled to start in July 2024. It is in the best interest of the Government to sole source to Sierra Electric to complete the work as timely as possible, thus allowing for the next phase of construction to begin on time.

5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price.

The proposed price will be found to be fair and reasonable using the following methods:

1. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(i) market research will be performed to determine whether the proposed price is fair and reasonable;

2. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii) a comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases will determine price reasonableness;

and

3. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi) a comparison of the proposed price to the independent government cost estimate will determine price reasonableness.

6. Description of Market Research.

Market research indicates Sierra Electric is the sole provider of electricity in Sierra County, NM which includes the EBHD area. Prior sole source award 140R4021P0081 - Electrical Service Upgrade Elephant Butte Historic District Hospital Canyon to Sierra Electric indicated Sierra Electric typically performs all work or upgrades on property it owns. This contract involved a service upgrade and service of the Sierra Electric electrical poles, lines, transformers, and panels in the EBHD Hospital Canyon. The upgrade allowed three recreational cabins and a water pumping station to function with the electrical utility grid owned and operated by Sierra Electric.

Solicitation Number: 140R4024Q0018 Page 3 of 3

Additional Market research indicated only two companies could possibly perform the requirement if approved by Sierra Electric; however, these companies were located in Colorado and Arizona. Award to either of these companies would increase the time to award and the overall cost of the requirement since the companies are not located near the EBHD.

Based on the market research and prior sole source contract awarded to Sierra Electric for a similar requirement, the Contracting Officer has determined that it is in the best interest of the Government to award a sole source, firm fixed-priced contract to Sierra Electric for this requirement.

SIGNATURES

PREPARED BY:

Name: Tina M. Villegas

Date: January 12, 2024

CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) (FAR 13.106-1(b)):(All Values)

Name: Tina M. Villegas

Date: January 12, 2024

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