A02.13 Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

ERDC Control No. 20-1898

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding $250K)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center – Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Civil Direct

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is: $

b. The CRREL Remote Sensing/GIS Center of Expertise (RS/GIS) has a brand name requirement for thirty (30) Trimble TDC600 handheld data collectors to replace existing end-of-life units that are used for on-site PROSPECT courses.

4. Authority:

Action using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The Trimble TDC600 handheld units were identified after researching a wide variety of GPS units to ensure the selected unit meets all requirements for the course materials that have been written, approved, and taught for several years. The Trimble TDC600 is compatible with existing systems and training materials. Other manufacturers were reviewed and considered, however the excessive time and administrative cost needed for instructors and developers to a) rewrite software, b) get new approval on all training courses, c) learn new software and equipment, and d) modify class lectures and materials all factored into the decision to purchase the Trimble TDC600.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A combined synopsis/solicitation will be posted to the Government Point of Entry at beta.sam.gov. This action will be competed amongst distributors of Trimble products that are small businesses.

7. Market Research: Internet searches for alternately-branded products were performed by both the CRREL RS/GIS technical representative and the contract specialist. As a result, two additional manufacturers (Stonex and Leica Geosystems) of similar handheld GPS data collectors were identified.

However, the PROSPECT course materials that have been written, approved, and taught in recent years by RS/GIS were prepared around the existing Trimble units. Therefore, Trimble is the only brand producing an item that, if procured, would avoid the excessive administrative costs associated with re-writing and approving the course training materials.

ERDC Control No. 20-1898

8. Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Purchase order or contract number:

Was action competed? Yes No If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:

9. Additional information to support the justification: N/A

10. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By:

Position Title:

Email Address:

Signature:

11. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

12. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and incidental services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Typed Name:

Title: Contracting Officer Signature: