A15_Brand_Name_Justification_-_SIGNED_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CONTRACTING OPERATIONS - CENTRAL

1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240

Justification for Brand Name Products

Date: 06/14/2024

Project: Equipment Replacement T86 Track Loader and Attachments

1. Identifications Agency: National Park Service Contracting Office: Ohio Major Acquisition Buying Office

2. Description of the action being approved:

The National Park Service (NPS) shall be soliciting for a Bobcat T86 Skid Steer Track Loader and Attachments. The documents included with the solicitation call for specific brand name products that are peculiar to one manufacturer. This written justification provides approval for limiting competition to the listed brand name products as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

3. Description of supplies and services:

Purchase of a T86 T4 Bobcat Compact Track Loader, M0385. The Bobcat will have the R-Series Forestry Kit, Super Flow Hydraulic package. Will also purchase the following attachments, 80” combination bucket, 61” 2 speed drum mulcher, a set of replacement knives for drum mulcher, 4k heavy duty pallet forks, 80” sever duty smooth bucket, 80” industrial grapple bucket, 18” asphalt planner, and parts and service manuals.

4. Authority:

41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

FAR Part 11.105: The Brand Name products are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet and cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs.

FAR 6.302-1: The use of the name brand products are essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

5. The description of the product’s unique qualifications or the unique nature of the acquisition:

This PMIS 188470 project is to replace our 1999 Melroe 773 Skid Steer Loader with a Bobcat T86 Track Loader. The reasoning for only a Bobcat and no other brand of skid steer is that we have 3 other Bobcat skid steers that are being used in the park. We also have many other attachments that these machine use. Some of the attachment take electrical wires to hook up to the machine. These electrical wires only work on Bobcat Equipment and are not universally exchangeable with other brands of skid steer loaders. Also, the hydraulic couplers are not universal across different brands as well. We would have to see if the new skid steer can be upfitted with Bobcat hydraulic fittings so our attachments would work on that different brand of skid steer.

If we had to go with a different brand, then we would need to double our attachments and that would increase the cost and maintenance needs on all the other attachments. In the best interest of the Government, it will be best to stay with Bobcat Skid Steers so that all the attachments will universally fit across all skid steers.

6. Efforts to obtain competition:

Efforts to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable:

For acquisitions over $25,000 the solicitation will be issued on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov.

Presolicitation notice per FAR 5.2:

For acquisitions over $25,000 a presolicitation notice shall be posted on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov unless the exception noted at FAR Part 5.202(a)(13) applies.

7. Determination that costs will be fair & reasonable:

We will seek price quotes with bobcat vendors at the government pricing rate. Will compare the pricing from the different bobcat vendors to make sure that the government is receiving the fair market pricing.

8. Description of the market research conducted:

I researched with other skid steer vendors and confirmed with them on the possibilities of their equipment being able to work with our current attachments. Vendors stated that we would need to have special hydraulic couplers added to our attachments or to the new skid steer. They also confirmed that their equipment would not be compatible with Bobcat attachments with electrical hook ups.

9. Other facts supporting other than full & open competition:

Reason why documents suitable for full & open competition have not been developed:

Other brands will not match our current hydraulic attachments.

Other brands will not be able to hook up to the electrical wires on our current attachments.

Data, estimated costs or other rationale as to the extent or harm to the Government:

The park would have to purchase more attachments (Duplicates) so that they will work with a different brand of skid steer. This would increase our attachment inventory which will increase our mechanics workload.

Keeping the Bobcat Brand will be more efficient in the long run. The hydraulic and other fluids will be the same requirement as for our current Bobcats. If we purchased a different brand, then we will have to stock their required brand of hydraulic and other fluids.

Our current mechanics are experienced with Bobcat equipment. If a different brand was purchased, then our mechanics would need further training on that brand of Skid Steer.

10. Interested Sources:

Bobcat of Akron, 176 West Ave Tallmadge, OH 44278 POC Kirk Laps

11. Actions to remove barriers to competition in the future for similar acquisitions:

When we have multiple pieces of the same type of equipment that have unique attachments and connections it is hard to go for open competition. If all this type of equipment is up for replacement at the same time we certainly can go with open competition for this type of equipment.

12. Certifications:

Technical / Requirements Certification:

I certify that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (i.e. verifying the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate:

(Signature)________________________________________ (Date) _____06/14/2024__________________

(Type or Print Name): ______Joe Simkanin____________________________________________

(Title): Roads and Railroad Supervisor

Up to $50,000

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) _______________________

(Type or Print Name): __________________________________________________

Contracting Officer

JOSEPH SIMKANIN

Digitally signed by JOSEPH

SIMKANIN

Date: 2024.06.14 15:29:49 -04'00'

Jordan Ellis

7/23/2024

Reviewed by MABO Lead (exceeding $50,000):

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) 7/23/2024

(Type or Print Name): _Katherine Bernard_________________________________ Lead Contracting Officer

Reviewed/Concur/Approved by: (exceeding $250,000)

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) _______________________ (Type or Print Name):

Regional or Center Chief of Contracting