A16_JA_Brand_Name_Only_-_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a brand name Minn Kota trolling motor equipment on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. Firm fixed price award for procurement of GPS-enabled trolling motor systems, Minn Kota: Riptide Kayak Terrova Trolling Motor with Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless Remote and Quick-Release Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket - Model MKA-21; and Riptide Terrova Saltwater Trolling Motor with Quick-Release Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket - Model MKA-64.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO requires 8 Minn Kota Riptide Kayak Terrova Trolling Motors, each with an Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless Remote and a Quick-Release Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket - Model MKA-21, and 8 Riptide Terrova Saltwater Trolling Motors, each with a Quick- Release Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket - Model MKA-64 to support ongoing research on the movement and behavior of native and invasive fishes and assist with developing novel capture techniques. These consumer-grade GPS-enabled systems are used to produce semi-autonomous watercraft, for conducting unmanned sonar surveys, increase survey efficiency and survey quality in order to count, measure, understand behavior, and determine movement rates of invasive carp, and assist management partners to develop, implement, and assess control actions.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a brand name basis under the authority FAR 13.106-1.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. Current USGS-led research requires continued compatibility with existing semi-autonomous watercraft that were specifically designed, tested, and validated using Minn Kota GPS-enabled trolling motor systems. The software integration, GPS navigation functionality, remote-control interface, mounting configuration, and operational characteristics of the Minn Kota systems are integral to the existing research platforms and survey methodologies. Substituting another manufacturer's trolling motor would require redesign of the autonomous platforms, modification of mounting hardware, revalidation of navigation performance, redevelopment and testing of operational procedures, and additional field testing to ensure comparable scientific results. These efforts would significantly delay ongoing research, increase project costs, and jeopardize continuity of long-term data collection supporting invasive carp management.

7. Other Information. N/A.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research was conducted using internet sources and commercially available product information. While other manufacturers produce trolling motors, no other manufacturer's products were identified that meet the Government's requirement for compatibility with the existing Minn Kota-based semi-autonomous research platforms and established survey methodologies. Accordingly, Minn Kota is the only brand that satisfies the Government's minimum needs.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. Future requirements will continue to be evaluated to determine whether the Government's minimum needs can be met through full and open competition or by less restrictive brand-name requirements. When appropriate, competition will be sought among authorized Minn Kota resellers.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a limited source basis. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification, that are the responsibility of technical, or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.