A03_BrandName_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Simplified Acquisitions Control No. (if applicable) ______________________

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA, FSIS, OPHS, Eastern Laboratory

950 College Station Rd

Athens, GA 30605

USDA, FSIS, OPHS, Western Laboratory

WRRC, ARS, WAB

800 Buchanan St.

Albany, CA 94710

1b. Contracting Activity:

Eric Schnitzler, Contract Specialist USDA, FSIS, OM, ASD, PcMB 5601 Sunnyside Ave.

Beltsville, MD 20705

2. Description of supply or service required .

Shipping containers in multiple sizes for the Eastern and Western Food Safety Labs that consists of replaceable and recyclable components that will maintain frozen or refrigerated samples between 0-15ºC for a minimum of 72 hours.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The shipping containers listed in the SOW are customized by Sonoco Thermosafe for USDA. No other boxes on the market provide USDA labeling, unique ID numbers on each box, or are self-sealing as is the case with the velcro lining of the Sonoco Thermosafe box. Self-sealing shipping containers allow the agency to reuse containers for multiple shipments since the containers are not damaged by packaging tape/box cutters when opening the container. By reusing the containers the Agency saves money and reduces waste according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as indicated in the statement of requirements.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by surveying available solutions on GSA advantage, and through a Google search. None of the available insulated shipping containers provided the customizations described above. FSIS will continue to monitor the market, and

A Sonoco Thermosafe representative identified two resellers they work with to distubute the insualted shipping containers: Superior Industrial Supply and Vet4U Rx.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

6. Recommended source(s).

Superior Industrial Supply

Vet4U Rx

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.