A16_40658202_J_AOFOC_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(Sole Source Justification)

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 herby submitted.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

Bureau of Land Management, Arctic District Office

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

Due to the circumstances described below, we request that data for BLM’s soil temperature and snow depth monitoring stations be acquired from Beadedstream (https://www.beadedstream.com) using other than full and open competition in support of the Arctic District Office’s frozen soil depth monitoring program for winter tundra travel per the 2012 NPR-A IAP/EIS in coordination with other Arctic land management agencies

(USFWS, ADNR).

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

Data for 13 existing BLM stations and 2 new planned installations (15 total) of soil temperature and snow depth monitoring stations with telemetry capabilities to send near real-time data to town are needed to meet the Arctic District’s needs for FY2025 and beyond. An estimate to purchase this Cloud Connect data package from Beadedstream values this equipment at $14,850.00.

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

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.

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

The data for the soil temperature and snow depth monitoring stations requested is only available from a single source: Beadedstream (https://www.beadedstream.com). This specific product is requested because they are the (only) type of plug and play soil temperature and snow depth monitoring stations currently being utilized by the USFWS and ADNR in the Arctic. Winter soil temperature and snow depth monitoring related to tundra travel to be conducted by the BLM in the NPR-A is in direct coordination with efforts to monitor soil temperatures and snow depths by those agencies. Having standardized equipment across agencies ensures that data is collected consistently and are comparable. Utilizing other equipment from a different source and/or data platform would also require substantial additional expenses in terms of training and data management.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited form 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:

No additional sources were sought after, as the only manufacturer of these stations is

Beadedstream and their product is not sold by any other vendor.

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:

Prior to award of a contract, the contracting officer will make a final determination that the offer fair and reasonable and the rationale will be supported based on the research collected.

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:

Internet-based market research confirms that no other manufacturer or vendor can satisfy the Arctic District Office’s current needs, as described above.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition FAR 6.303-2(a) (9)):

Support services will be needed for data hosting and remote monitoring of system status.

Beadedstream is currently fulfilling these aspects for the other deployed stations in the Arctic and can fulfill these needs for the Arctic District Office at a reasonable cost when utilizing equipment that they have constructed.

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:

These are follow-on services required for the operation of BLM owned equipment. It is specific to the brand of equipment that, when originally purchased, was found to be the best value to the Government. When new equipment and infrastructure are needed, new technologies will be researched, competitively sourced and the pricing of sole sourced follow-on services will be considered.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, herby, 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:

/s/: Matthew Ferderbar 5/10/2024

Requisitioner’s Signature / Date

Contracting Officer’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:

a t i o n f o r o t h e r t h a t f u l l a n d o p e n c o m p e t i t i o n i s a c c u r a t e a n d c o m p l e t e t o t h e b e s t o f m y k n o w l e d g e a n d b e l i e f :

6/14/24