A16_44051365_JOFOC.pdf

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; Fairbanks District Office; Central Yukon Field Office

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

Alaska Marmot Inventory Surveys

The BLM Central Yukon Field Office, pursuant of Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) mandates and agency policy to inventory and monitor wildlife and wildlife habitat, submitted a request to conduct ground-based surveys of Alaska marmot habitat within the Central Yukon Field Office boundary. The BLM requests that such services be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of this work.

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

The objectives of this project are to 1) locate and map marmot colonies on BLM-managed lands in the Central Yukon Field Office and 2) refine the Alaska marmot habitat suitability model developed by ABR, Inc. while under contract with the

BLM.

The estimated price of this contract is $45,000. The estimate is based on history of prices and the project manager’s judgement based upon similar requirements or other appropriate description of the rationale used to determine the estimated price.

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:

ABR, Inc. was previously under government contract (140L6323P0039) to develop and produce a model of Alaska marmot habitat in the Central Yukon Field Office study area. This work, including the data and final report, was completed in 2024.

The present contract would require that field survey efforts be designed based on the habitat model. Results from field surveys would also be integrated into the model to refine and improve it for future use.

Under 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), the acquisition is essential to the Government’s requirements because 1) the project requires continuity with previous service and products delivered to the government and 2) the data collected under the current contract must be applicable to previously acquired data products. Securing a contract with the proposed vendor through sole-source means would increase efficiency and be cost effective, and would maintain multi-year project continuity that would benefit the BLM and its stated monitoring goals for the BLM-Alaska Wildlife Program. The proposed work builds on an existing model that was produced by the vendor and is best accomplished through use of the same company and personnel.

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:

Only one source should be solicited and awarded the contract for this statement of work. The notice will be publicized in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2. No exception applies to this notice and award.

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:

The contracting officer intends to determine the price fair and reasonable prior to the award of the contract and the basis of the determination will be documented thoroughly in the contract file.

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:

Market research conducted included internet searches of local and statewide environmental consulting firms that have experience with Alaska wildlife and ecological systems, aviation and remote logistics, and spatial modeling using standard biophysical datasets for the state.

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

None

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:

The BLM may explore ways to make the model more universally adaptable and will work with the contractor to determine the list of required data that should be collected at each study site so that it can be included in future versions of the model.

CERTIFICATION:

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:

_________________________ ______________ _________ 8/31/2026______________ Contracting Officer’s Signature Date