A16_JOFOC_1.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 (BLM), Eastern Interior Field Office.

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

Procure delivery of data from moose GPS radiocollars transmitted via Iridium network.

Due to the circumstances described below, I request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of BLM requirement for delivery of data from functioning GPS radiocollars on moose which is compatible with the manufacturer’s data communication hardware and processes.

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

Deliver data from Telonics GPS collars, including GPS locations, collar status, and collar temperature, in a standard format and on a frequent basis.

Requirements:

Deliver data from 23 Telonics brand GPS collars, including GPS location, collar status notifications, and collar temperature in a standard format. The standard format allows BLM and National Park Service (NPS) to curate collar data from two adjacent projects in a single database. The database is updated automatically and allows near real-time data, which is available for field work planning.

This estimate for the requested service is $3,895.16.

Model meeting these requirements:

MetOcean data delivery system.

Past procurement:

BLM-EIFO has procured data through MetOcean since deployment of 29 Telonics GPS collars in March of 2021. The payment has occurred monthly with a purchase card. Data from six collars are no longer being collected due to mortality of the moose.

Future procurement:

This contract will replace the monthly billing system. It will reimburse MetOcean for data fees incurred from October to present, and also pay fees as they continue to accrue through mid July 2026.

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

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i)

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

The collar manufacturer chose MetOcean as the sole provider of data from their collars (whereas most manufacturers are themselves the sole provider of data from the collars they manufacture and sell). There is no alternative way to obtain this data.

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:

MetOcean is the sole provider of data collected and transmitted from these Telonics collars.

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:

Pricing is offered at commercial market prices.

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:

GSA eLibrary and GSA Prices Paid Portal was searched. Radiocollar manufacturer, Telonics, Inc was contacted to discuss data management options and they indicated that MetOcean Telematics is their partnered service provider. This means that MetOcean Telematics are able to work with Telonics’ data processing software when processing GPS-Iridium location data.

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

No other vendors capable of providing service to preserve data consistency.

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

MetOcean Telematics.

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:

There is no immediate plan by the BLM to replace existing inventory of Telonics, Inc radiocollars, which utilize MetOcean Telematics as their service provider, in the foreseeable future.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I hereby certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or schedule 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:

_Jim Herriges____________________ ____4/1/2025_________________ Requisitioners Name & 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:

/s/Nicole Maldonado_______________________ ____7/16/2025_________________ Contracting Officer Name & Signature Date