Attachment A - DFW Brand Name Justification Toro 8.14.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

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1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Contracting Services, is procuring on behalf of Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery

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

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery needs irrigation components to properly maintain their irrigation system. The NCA seeks a Contractor to acquire and deliver specific irrigation components under a firm fixed price purchase order.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

There are 49 items on the list of requested irrigation parts, and the items specified below are direct replacements for the current irrigation system. Ensuring compatibility is necessary to prevent service interruptions.

CATEGORY

PART

NUMBER

Brand

Name

Pressure Regulator

Valves P220-27-00 Toro

Pressure Regulator

Valves P220-27-08 Toro

Rotor Head T7P-02 Toro

Rotor Head T5PCK3.0-RS Toro

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) - The specific brand name, product, or feature is critical to the Government’s needs, and market research shows that these essential brands (Toro) are necessary to meet the requirements of the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above.:

The brand "Toro" is the only brand that can meet the needs of Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery to maintain the irrigation system without requiring upgrades or changes to parts of or the entire irrigation system and/or support equipment. The irrigation system has been designed and engineered based on Toro specifications. Switching to other manufacturers could incur additional maintenance and utility costs.

6. Describe efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

The solicitation will be posted on SAM Contract Opportunities, the government's point of entry, as an SB set aside. It will specify a brand name requirement for only 4 items, while the remaining items are standard PVC components commonly used in the industry.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

This procurement will be solicited, and price reasonableness will be determined via competitive solicitation at the time of evaluation.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

A Sources Sought was posted and four (4) small businesses responded to the post. SAM, GSA, SBA were queried, and it reflected viable small businesses as authorized resellers of irrigation products.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

None. This requirement will be solicited to the maximum extent possible.

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

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

There were small businesses that responded to the sources sought.

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:

Continuous market research will be conducted to identify comparable products that will meet the cemeteries needs on future requirements. This requirement will be solicited to the maximum extent possible.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide

Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Contracting Officer, I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

David Hester

Contracting Officer

VA National Cemetery Administration