A04_Brand_Name_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 123A9426Q0001

Rev. 10/29/25

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1161972

Requesting Activity Agency: Food Safety and Inspection Service, OPHS

Contracting Activity: USDA, FSIS, OM, ASD, PcMB

5601 Sunnyside Ave.

Beltsville, MD 20705

(2) Brief Description of Supplies or Services

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

(3) Suggested Source

The suggested manufacturer is:

Sonoco Thermosafe 3930 N. Ventura Dr.

Suite 450 Arlington Heights, IL 60004

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

The shipping containers listed in the SOW are customized by Sonoco Thermosafe for USDA in support of Agency inspection activities under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, as indicated in the statement of requirements. 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. These shipping containers are the only fit-for-purpose boxes with established temperature studies proving sample stability across multiple days in shipping. This also allows the agency to save money and labor by completing tests on statutorily-mandated inspection samples in a timely manner and avoiding sample discards as waste and the recollection of those samples by inspection personnel.

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 123A9426Q0001

Rev. 10/29/25

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was 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 determine companies’ ability to offer custom solutions to fit FSIS’ need.

Certifications & Approvals

(5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

(6) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.