A05 1171395 JA SS_FY26-FPAC-J004_R1_Dataloggerss_16Jun26_sss_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Justification to Restrict Competition under FAR Part 8

Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: FY26-FPAC-Justification-004

In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.4 and General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) 538.7104-3 (b), the following justification documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number:

Requesting Activity Agency:

Contracting Activity:

1171395 USDA-NRCS-National Water & Climate Center FPAC-BC Western Section

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

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRC~ a fnm-fixed price award as a follow-on to contract 12FPC325P0024 for the procurement of- CRl 000XE-XT-CC Dataloggers to collect and store critical data from the SNOTEL network. The USDA-NRCS-NWCC proposes utilizing the only known GSA Schedule Vendor fo equipment:

(3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value).

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires electronic dataloggers for hydrometeorological data retrieval and storage at SNOTEL stations. Dataloggers must be removed, calibrated, and tested eve1y three years to ensure data integrity. A large fleet of calibrated and functional dataloggers is required to adhere to these quality control measures and maintain the 950+ SNOTEL stations across the western U.S. Given the high volume ofloggers in the field, over 300 datalogger replacements are required annually. The cmTent fleet is available at the central electronics Maintenance Facility are insufficient to fill this need and there will be a sho1iage of dataloggers during summer (snow-free) maintenance season if this contract is not awarded.

~ irement for this award is:

- CRl 000XE-XT-CC Datalogger (45 1 units), ( 4) Identify the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statuto1y authority suppo1iing the placement of an order or establishment of a Federal Supply Schedule Blanket Purchase Agreement (BP A) that exceeds the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on a sole source basis is: GSAM 538.7104-3 (b)(ii) - Only one source is capable of providing the products, se1v ices, or solution required at the level of quality required because the products, se1v ices, or solutions are unique or highly specialized.

Rev. 2/26/26

Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: FY26-FPAC-Justification-004

(5) Demonstrate that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the ac uisition re uires usin the authority cited.

is the manufacturer of the CRl000XE-XT-CC Datalogger required for SNOTEL operations. The entirety of the SNOTEL network, over 950 stations, relies on these dataloggers. Custom code, power systems, telemetiy systems, and wiring schemas have been built specifically for the CRl 000XE-XT-CC Datalogger. Based on this info1mation, a move to any other manufacturer's product would require significant cost and time investments to test, develop and integrate into stations operated by the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program

(SSWSFP).

The■ CRl000XE-XT-CC Datalogger possesses unique specifications that are required for use in the SNOTEL network that dataloggers from other manufacturers did not meet. Competing dataloggers lack one or more of the required capabilities"

• Extended operating temperature range of -55° to +85°C and calibration ce1tification at those temperatures.

• Gold coated CPI and Ethernet communication po1ts that prevent co1Tosion and degradation in humid and wet environments.

• Utilizes CRBasic Programming to conu-ol and measure analog and digital sensors and instiuments.

• Accepts input voltage ranges from IO to 36 V de and acts as its own power regulator providing multiple switched 12V power sources to for powering peripheral devices.

• Low power idle cuITent drain of <2.0 mA at 12 Vdc on average; critical for operating in remote environments using only solar power for charging the batte1y systems.

(6) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the order represents a fair and reasonable price.

~ timated for this action was compared to pricing of previous actions awarded to

- and the pricing is consistent with those other orders. The pricin estimate is consistent with the price listed on GSA Advantage for the■ CR l000XE with the Calibration Ce1tificate and the extended (XT) temperature range (-55 to +85 degrees Ce sms .

■ is the only known source capable of providing the required equipment and associated suppo1t due to its proprieta1y hardware architecture, integrated software ecosystem, and proven com- tibility with existing agency monitoring systems. The instiuments and data loggers manufactured by utilize unique, proprieta1y, non-interchangeable components and fnm ware that are not available t ·ough alternative vendors. existin infras1:I11cture of sensors, communication modules, and long-te1m data records relies on proprietaiy protocols, making interoperability and continuity of operations dependent on sourcing directly from the manufacturer. Procuring from any other vendor would inti·oduce significant technical risk, require extensive reengineering, and jeopardize data integrity. Therefore,■ is the only source that can meet the agency's specific technical and perfo1mance requirements.

Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: FY26-FPAC-Justification-004

. is the only Multiple Award Schedule GSA Vendor who can supply the entirety of the equipment required.

The Contracting Officer reviewed the proposed order pricing against the contractor's GSA Schedule rates and confomed that the proposed labor categories, quantities, and discounts are consistent with the requirement and do not exceed approved Schedule ceiling rates. Although GSAM 538.7102-2(d) waives a fo1mal dete1mination, an appropriate price evaluation was completed. Based on this review, the anticipated cost is considered fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will ensure the final price remains fair and reasonable by verifying labor catego1y alignment, confnming any applicable discounts, and reviewing the final pricing prior to award.

(7) A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

The SSWSFP has a need to maintain continuity and standardization within the SNOTEL network across the west. The CRl 000XE-XT-CC Datalogger is the only datalogger that is fully compatible with the infrastrncture cmTently deployed at all 950+ SNOTEL stations. Maintaining this type of standardization ensures that the snow, precipitation, temperature, etc .. data collected by these stations meets quality and reliability standards outlined in the general manual of the program's standards and specifications. The proposed contract suppo1t s efforts at meeting calibration standards and operational consistency throughout the SNOTEL network. A thorough product description has been developed outlining the specific requirements for the equipment within this procurement. Other equipment on the open market do not meet these requirements.

A search of the Microsoft 365 Copilot was conducted. The results indicated there are several system integrators and installation paitners across the United States. but none of them hold a distributor status.

Therefore,■ is the only authorized distributor in the United States.

Market reseai·ch was conducted among GSA Schedule holders by reviewing the available contractors and capabilities in GSA eLibra1y and GSA Advantage. This research confnm ed that the required supplies/services are available under the Federal Supply Schedule; however, only one (I) Schedule contractor was identified as capable of meeting the specific technical requirements of this acquisition.

No other Schedule holders provided comparable capabilities or solutions that satisfied the Government's minimum needs.

Accordingly, the mai·ket research suppo1t s proceeding with a single source justification under the FSS program.

(8) Any other facts supporting use of other than full and open competition, such as:

All equipment deployed in the SNOTEL network must be fully vetted and tested by the R&D branch prior to operational deployment to ensure the critical stream of snowpack and hydrometeorological data is not intenupted.

Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: FY26-FPAC-Justification-004

Several additional factors supp011 the use of this justification for a sole-source contract with ■ The highly specialized nature of the CRI OOOXE dataloggers relies on proprietaiy te~ies, methodologies, ai1d materials that have been uniquely developed and refined b~

Moreover, - holds proprietaiy rights to critical components and technical processes integral to the program's success. These proprietaiy elements prevent the fonnulation of detailed and competitive solicitation that could be addressed by other vendors without infringing on- intellectual property rights. Fm1he1more, transitioning to an alternate source would require substantial engineering efforts, significant time, and financial investments to replicate and validate these proprieta1y technologies, leading to unacceptable delays and operational risks.

(9) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services required.

The Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program's Reseai·ch and Development (R&D) continues to investigate all aspects of the electronic systems deployed at SNOTEL stations. Laborato1y and in situ field testing of dataloggers will continue and new technology will be explored to keep the network up to date and using the most modem technology at all times. All equipment deployed in the SNOTEL network must be fully vetted and tested by the R&D branch prior to operational deployment to ensure the critical stream of snowpack and hydrometeorological data is not intenupted.

(10) Certifications & Approvals

Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I ce1i ify this requirement meets the Government's minimum need and that the suppo1iing data, which fonns a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

(11) Contracting Officer's Certification I ce1i ify 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.

Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number: FY26-FPAC-Justification-004