A16_JOFOC_-_140DWF27Q0001_tdt_1.pdf

Version 2.0- Justification for An Exception to Fair Opportunity Orders 1 of 2

Department of Interior

Justification for An Exception to Fair Opportunity Orders Over the Micro- Purchase Threshold and Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

FAR 16.507-6(b)(1)

Contract Information

1. Contracting actively/agency:

The Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Upper Snake Field Office, Idaho Falls District Office. Contract Officer Representative (COR) Benjamin Dyer, Fire Ecologist, DOI US Wildland Fire Service, requests the US Wildland Fire Contracting Activity to contract on a sole source basis.

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs:

This request is for approximately 6,000 cubic yards of Wood-Strand Erosion Control Mulch for the stabilization of slopes impacted by the Big Rock Fire. The mulch is to be delivered to Big Rock staging area located off the South Heise Road (E 12000 S) Heise, Idaho, and will be applied for a future procurement for seed/mulch application. The suggested vendor that can deliver the amount of mulch needed in time to be utilized for the seed/mulch project is Wilcox Logging, Inc, 610 E 9000 S, Rexburg, Idaho, 83440-4682, PH: (208) 351-4175

3. Identification of the limited source(s) to be solicited:

Gary Wilcox is the owner of Wilcox Logging, Inc.

Wilcox Logging, Inc. is the only source capable of meeting the requirements of project at such short notice. The required wood mulch is a byproduct of the company's logging operations, and its facility is located adjacent to the Big Rock Fire area. This proximity significantly reduces transportation costs and enables Wilcox Logging, Inc. to provide the material at a substantially lower cost than other sources.

4. Reason for authority cited:

FAR 16.507-6(b)(1) - The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

5. Rationale:

The need to acquire and apply wood mulch to the fire impacted slopes above the community of Heise, Idaho, is urgent due to the immediate and escalating threat of severe soil erosion following the Big Rock Fire. The burn scar has left the hillslopes hydrophobic and highly unstable, significantly increasing the likelihood of debris flows and sediment transport into the private properties and infrastructure located at the base of the slope. Two significant rain events have already resulted in the movement of material onto roadways and private properties, with additional precipitation events expected in the coming weeks. Because effective slope stabilization requires wood mulch to prevent precipitation driven erosion, any delay in procurement would directly undermine the protective intent of the treatment. Conducting a standard fair opportunity process would delay award and delivery by several weeks due to requirements, and such delays would render the treatment ineffective by missing the narrow operational window for erosion control prior to the arrival of snow. Given that erosion impacts are difficult to reverse and would result in substantial environmental degradation and potential threats to public safety, the BLM has determined that immediate action is required. Therefore, the urgency of the stabilization work is so critical that providing fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays, justifying a sole‑source order in accordance with FAR 16.507-6(b)(1).

6. Market Research:

As part of the market research conducted to identify potential suppliers of wood straw/mulch for the Big Rock Fire rehabilitation effort, three vendors were contacted to obtain pricing for the required volume of material. Forest Concepts, a known producer of wood straw, reported that it no longer manufactures this product and therefore could not meet the requirement. A second vendor, Mountain Pine Manufacturing, provided a quote totaling $680,000 for the requested volume. A third vendor, Wilcox Logging, a local logging company with demonstrated experience producing wood mulch for the U.S. Forest Service, submitted a quote of $60,000 for the same volume. The

Version 2.0- Justification for An Exception to Fair Opportunity Orders 2 of 2 substantially lower cost offered by Wilcox Logging is attributable to the material being a byproduct of their ongoing logging operations as well as the proximity of their facility, located within one mile of the Big Rock Fire area. This proximity significantly reduces transportation costs and enables rapid delivery necessary to meet urgent stabilization timelines. Based on the price disparity, production capability, and logistical advantages, Wilcox Logging is the only vendor able to supply the required material within the critical time window at a fair and reasonable cost.

Approvals Under the authority of FAR 16.507-6(b)(1), the undersigned hereby determines the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source is reasonably available as supported herein.

Contracting Officer Concur:

Traci Thaler, Contracting Officer

Date:

Actions>$25,000 Program Office/COR: Date:

Branch Chief Date:

Division Chief: Date: