A15_Brand_Name_Justification_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED

ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior (DOI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC) plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for the award of a purchase order on a limited source basis as required by FAR 6.103-1 Other than full and open compeetition.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. Purchase of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) YellowScan Mapper Ultra with accessories to authorized resellers. The anticipated contract type is a fixed firm price.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. This requisition is for UAV LiDAR YellowScan Mapper Ultra with its accessories as follows:

• Two (2) YellowScan Mapper Ultra - P/N To Be Determined

• Two (2) SBG Qinertia UAV Licenses – P/N LKQPYSV00

• Two (2) Quick Release Adaptor (Dovetail) – P/N YSQRFDT000

• Tariff Surcharge

• Shipping and Import fees

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a brand name basis under the authority FAR 6.103-1. Only one brand-name source is reasonably available. Brand Name: UAV LiDAR YellowScan Mapper Ultra.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. Scientists and researchers across the USGS, DOI, and collaborating organizations depend on data produced by the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) to support their missions. Since 2016, NUSO has consistently used YellowScan UAV LiDAR scanners, and partner agencies must use the same brand to ensure full compatibility with existing datasets and equipment. No other UAV LiDAR scanners are known to be compatible with YellowScan systems. Because data collected from earlier YellowScan-based projects are critical for long‑term scientific studies, introducing a different scanner brand could disrupt established workflows, hinder ongoing research, and undermine the value of years of previously collected data.

7. Other Information. None.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research conclusively determined that no alternative products or brands can meet the Government’s requirements for compatibility with its existing inventory, ensure continuity with previously collected data, or satisfy the minimum technical performance specifications. Although five vendors are capable of supplying the YellowScan Mapper Ultra UAV LiDAR system, only one is a U.S.-based small business registered in SAM.gov, further limiting viable competitive sources.

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED

ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. To mitigate these constraints and expand future competitive opportunities, the Government will continue market outreach to identify emerging suppliers, encourage potential domestic small businesses to pursue product authorization or distributor status, and monitor technological advancements that may introduce compatible alternatives. The Government will also maintain ongoing communication with existing vendors to assess changes in capacity, certification, or availability that could broaden the competitive landscape.