A15_Brand_Name_Justification_for_SAM.pdf

United States Department of the Interior Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs

Washington, DC 20240

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

PR/SOL/CONTRACT #_140A1623Q0028

Control #_23-0114________________

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Brand Name Justification.”

Contracting Activity: This document is a brand name justification for other than full and open competition for the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Central Office, Office of Justice Services (OJS), Murdered and Missing Unit (MMU).

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

Requirement:

New Follow-on Requirement Modification to existing order

Pricing:

Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Other _____________

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

The Office of Justice Services (OJS), Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) requires Garmin 755T Handheld 2-Way GPS Radios. The radios are needed for agents during searches or recovery of remote areas where an individual might have gone missing.

The total quantity required is 30 each to be delivered in 30 days ADC. The estimated value of the proposed action is

4. An Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

OJS requires a rugged handheld 2-Way Radio/GPS Navigator with camera and preloaded TOPO Mapping with a touchscreen. Garmin is the only manufacturer to make such devices.

While there are similar products, on the market they do not provide the TOPO mapping that is required for the MMU agents to perform their duties. The TOPO mapping provides consistent and complete coverage across the U.S. and can portray natural and human-made features withing the themes of elevation, hydrography, place names, transportation, boundaries, structures, & land cover. These features are important for the MMU agents as they are performing searches in remote areas and require a consistent map feature.

Additionally, the Garmin Express software is already on the approved software list at BIA, and the radios are already in use OJS’s Division of Drug Enforcement. By purchasing the same manufacturer, OJS can standardize their processes across the Bureau.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

Internet searches and comparisons were performed by the contracting specialists and did not return other manufacturers that could meet BIA’s need. Garmin products are available for resale. There are 56 ISBEEs under the applicable NAICs for this action 334220.

A search on USAspending.gov for contracts awarded to ISBEEs for Garmin products returned 6 results in the last 5 fiscal years. There is a reasonable assumption that ISBEE quotes will be received in response to a solicitation posted on SAM.gov.

A Combined Synopsis/Solicitation with the Brand Name Justification and Approval attached will be posted on SAM.gov to garner as much competition as possible.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on competitive proposals in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(1).

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

See section 6.

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

OJS will consider other manufacturers as they become available in the commercial marketplace.