J_A_BRAND_NAME.pdf

DETERMINATION AND FINDINGS (D&F)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group (SOG) Mobile Response Team (MRT) Bldg. 11169 Duncan & SSG Sims St.

Biggs Army Airfield El Paso, TX 79916

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

Special Operations Group’s (SOG) Mobile Response Team (MRT) is seeking to procure Mobile Field Force Kits to properly equip MRT Agents with adequate gear for training, deployments and field operations capabilities.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated total value for the base year and option years).

Item & Description Item Part # Manufacturer Mobile Field Force Suit SECPRO-IRS Security Pro USA

Riot Helmet USI-Riot-906C United Shield Canister, Chemical Warfare 818263 MSA

Wood Straight Baton 1000188 Monadnock

4. Identification of the rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed product’s unique qualifications and features that meet the agency’s needs.

The MRT Mobile Field Force Kit provides MRT personnel with a baseline of required items for use in conducting specific unit missions. This kit was developed through years of extensive research and field use and it evolves based on improvements in technology or when operational requirements necessitate change.

5. Discussion of pricing information.

40 Mobile Field Force Suits (SECPRO-IRS), 30 Riot Helmets (USI-Riot-906C-Large), 10 Riot Helmets (USI-Riot-906C-Medium), 139 Gas Canisters ( 818263), 351 Wood Straight Batons (1000188),

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders, if applicable, and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was not an option as the products that make up the MRT Mobile Field Force Kit are only manufactured by brand name specific suppliers. MRT Agents have solely trained and operated with the equipment provided in this mobile field force kit, and deviating from this would be a training and operational setback. MRT Agents’ intimate knowledge, familiarization, muscle memory and officer safety would also be compromised. It is SOG MRT’s obligation to provide its personnel with equipment they are both familiar and comfortable with, overall increasing officer safety.

Procuring a different product would dictate additional training and certifications for MRT’s personnel, thus limiting MRT’s operational capabilities for an undetermined amount of time, thus making it an unwanted and unforeseen additional cost for MRT.

7. Any other facts supporting the brand name acquisition action.

An exact match of the product will ensure a good quality product that has been highly recommended and tested by MRT Agents, both during training as well as during operations.

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

MRT continuously trains and works with other units and agencies to further expand our capabilities and experience. If other similar products are found to be better suited for MRT needs, the product will be tested and considered for future use.

9. The ordering activity contracting officer's certification that the D&F is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer's knowledge and belief.

See signature page.

10. Evidence that supporting data (e.g., verification of the Government's minimum needs, requirements, or other rationale for limited sources) is complete and accurate.

The MRT Mobile Field Force Kit was selected as the standardized kit for members of the Mobile Response Team for Border Patrol Use during training and operations. All the items that make up the kit were selected by the Special Operations Group (SOG) subject matter experts.

REQUISITION/PROGRAM OFFICE CERTIFICATION (over $3,000)

I certify that the foregoing D&F is accurate, meets the Government’s minimum needs and contains complete information necessary to support the action described in this document and the authority cited.

[ X ] The guidance in HSAM Subchapter 3006.3 and HSAM Appendix G has been followed.

Office: Special Operations Group Mobile Response Team

Name: (Print):_Jesse Collier________________________

Title: _Supervisory Border Patrol Agent________

Signature: _Jesse Collier______________ Date: ___4/16/2018_____

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (over $3,000)

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name (Print): __Rosie Zaragoza-Santos____________ Contracting Officer

Signature: ________________________________ Date: _05/23/2018_