A16_20250124_Sole_Source_Justification_OTT_JA_1.pdf

Last Updated: 11/15/2011 Version 1

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Purchase Bear River Water Monitoring Equipment from OTT HydroMet

Requisition No. Enter number

Purchase Order No. Enter number

Sole Source Justification

A. Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is requesting the purchase of OTT HydroMet water monitoring equipment for installation at six (6) water control structures on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (MBR).

The cost estimate is for hardware and equipment purchase only. Installation of all equipment will be by FWS employees, and not part of this purchase contract.

B. Justification

a. Circumstances

For many years, the Bear River MBR relied on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Corinne Streamgage on the Bear River to monitor diversions of water rights to the Refuge. Due to increased scrutiny of diversion associated with the current low levels of the Great Salt Lake (GSL), the Utah Division of Water Rights is requiring that the Refuge install inflow and outflow monitoring equipment on six of the Refuge water control structures (WCS). The letter requiring this installation is attached.

The Bear River MBR does not have the funds needed to cover the costs associated with purchasing and installing these devices. So, the FWS applied for and received funding from the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (GSL-WET) for equipment purchases and an investigation of the changes in flow and water quality from the USGS. Pending sole source approval, the FWS plans to purchase and install OTT/Sutron shaft encoders, dataloggers, and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) telemetry at six sites to monitor diversions from the Bear River and return flows to the GSL. This equipment was listed for approval under the grant application and the grant budget is for the equipment from OTT HydroMet that has been specified.

b. Other Capable Sources

The Division 6 Water Resources staff reviewed equipment (shaft encoders, radar sensors, data loggers, telemetry) from other vendors, such as YSI/Xylem brand, Sommers, and Kisters. The equipment from other sources is comparable, but did not have the capability to integrate non-contact stage, non-contact water level, shaft encoder, and data collection and telemetry from one single vendor in an integrated package. Equipment from multiple different vendors would be required and the ability to interface together is questionable. OTT HydroMet has all the equipment needed from one source that greatly simplifies acquisition, programming, and future maintenance needs.

c. Barriers to Competition

The FWS was required to submit a plan detailing the model number and capabilities of the proposed equipment for installation in order to acquire the funding from the GSL-WET. The FWS does not have additional funds to cover the purchasing of other equipment or ancillary components that may be needed from a different vendor. The OTT HydroMet equipment includes a water measuring device, data logger, and transmitter that interfaces with itself such that additional components are not needed. If the Service were to accept bids on an alternative type of meters and equipment, it is possible that the winning bid would require the purchase of additional equipment to make the disparate components compatible, and funding would not be avaialble.

Last Updated: 11/15/2011 Version 1

Additionally, the FWS has used the OTT HydroMet equipment in the past at several other monitoring sites and we have developed a familitarity and workflow for programming and operating the equipment. The software associated with programming the devices is already approved for installation on FWS computres. The software and programming of other devices may require IT approval, and the learning of new software and programming that could delay or disrupt the installation schedule and process. Hence, it is infeasible to award the purchase contract through a competitive process.

C. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office

Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures as specified in FAR Part 13. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jaron Andrews, Acting Water Resources Chief, Program/Project Officer

Date

D. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval

Based on the above justification, I hereby certify that the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures for this purchase.

Contracting Officer Name, Contracting Officer

E. Concurrence by Chief of Contracting Office (only required for awards exceeding $25,000)

I hereby concur that the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

Chief of Contracting Office Name, Chief of Contracting Office