Justification for Brand Name_Redacted.pdf

Effective Date: 11/15/24 Page 3 of 4

REVISION: 01

Acquisition ID#: 36C260-25-AP-0659

Sources Sought 36C26025Q0086 issued for the current requirement. Additionally, the nonmanufacturer rule applies to small businesses above the simplified acquisition threshold. To qualify as a small business concern for set-aside contracts or sole source contracts, the small business must either manufacture the product itself, supply a product manufactured by another small business or supply products of any sized manufacturer if an SBA waiver has been granted.

None of these apply, therefore a small business set-aside is not appropriate for this requirement and this requirement must be competed unrestricted.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Sources Sought Notice 36C26025Q0086 posted to SAM.gov on 11/21/2024, closed on 12/05/2024

No other responses were received.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The anticipated cost to the Government for this requirement will be fair and reasonable. The Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) was found to be consistent with past prices paid. The Contracting Officer will review offers received as a result of the solicitation and make a final price reasonableness determination in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted: A search of the SBA VetCert database conducted on 11/21/2024 using NAICS code 311119 resulted in 26 potential results. A dynamic small business search conducted on the SBA database on 11/21/2024 using NAICS code 311119 in Washington State resulted in 6 potential small business matches (results were checked for socioeconomic category; none fell into a socioeconomic category). A review of the market research for the current contract (36C26024P0333) indicated that there were two small business vendors and one SDVOSB identified however there were no small businesses identified that manufactured the required supplies. The nonmanufacturer rule applies to small business above the simplified acquisition threshold. To qualify as a small business concern for set-aside contracts, the small business must either manufacture the product itself, supply a product manufactured by another small business or supply products of any sized manufacturer if an SBA waiver has been granted. None of these apply, therefore a small business set-aside is not appropriate for this requirement and this requirement must be competed unrestricted.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: This is a Brand Name requirement that will be competed unrestricted. Brand Name products are required as specified and no equal substitutions will be considered, to maintain the consistency of the research environment. Alternation of the ingredients makeup is not allowed as any such changes could negatively impact the outcome of research project results. The same diet, bedding, care and enrichment items, with no changes, is required throughout the research term.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to

Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: This is a planned follow-on competitive acquisition with an anticipated award date of mid-to-late January 2025.