A15 Brand name justification Stihl (2).doc

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

In accordance with the authority granted under 41 U.S.C. 253(c), this request for award under other than full and open competition is hereby submitted.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska Fire Service

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

Due to the circumstances described below, I request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of BLM requirements for Chainsaws in support of Wildfire Incidents.

The attached procurement is to purchase Stihl MS 362 Chainsaws as replacements for damaged and lost Stihl Chainsaws for the last several years. BLM Alaska Fire Service has been exclusively using Stihl Chainsaws in furtherance of their mission in Alaska for over twenty years. It is in the interest of the agency to continue to use one standardized make of Chainsaw, simplifying training and procedures and to streamline maintenance and repairs. Alaska Fire Service have already over five hundred Chainsaws that are used in support of Wildfire Incidents. The Stihl Chainsaw have been found to be effective in Alaska’s extreme fire conditions and are user-friendly and reliable.

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

In order to facilitate Chainsaw operations for BLM Alaska Fire Service Wildfire incidents, the agency must maintain enough inventory of Chainsaws to support operational needs. These Chainsaws are packed in kits at the BLM Alaska Fire Service Fire Cache. Included in these kits are a tool roll that is specific to Stihl Chainsaws. The Alaska Fire Service Small Engine Repair Shop maintains a large inventory of Stihl repair parts and all necessary Stihl specialty repair tools.

4. An identification of the Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition:

(Joint effort with program and procurement)

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (__) as implemented by FAR 6.302-____.

(NOTE: All justification and factual information must be consistent and precisely related to the cited exception and authorities.)

5. A demonstration that the proposed brand name possesses unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

Stihl Chainsaws is uniquely positioned to fulfill agency requirements. Stihl Chainsaws are used at all the Interagency Fire Caches across the nation and allows Alaska Fire Service the ability to support other regions across the nation. Stihl Chainsaws are packed in kits at the Interagency Fire Caches. These Kits are designed to support Stihl Chainsaws.

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 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

(Joint effort with program and procurement)

NOTE: Cite and take credit for all efforts to seek additional sources.

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

(Procurement fills out)

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

We examined the Husqvarna and Echo Chainsaws of equal power and weight. Do to the need of keeping the Chainsaw kits Standardized in the National Cache System and that Husqvarna and Echo Chainsaws require different field and Service tool i.e.

4mm Hex as opposed to T-27 torx that the Stihl Chainsaws use. We found it impractical to require changes to the kits in the National system. Standardization is of the upmost importance.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition

FAR 6.303-2(a) (9)):

See above, number 5.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:

None

11. A statement of the 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:

(Joint effort with program and procurement)

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, hereby, certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or scheduled requirements, and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Requisitioner’s Signature Date

I, hereby, certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer’s Signature Date

Attachment 7