A16_Single_Source_Justification_1.pdf

FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1. Description of Need

3. Other Capable Sources

2. Market Research Conducted

Pursuant to FAR subpart 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Instructions: The information in the text boxes are provided as sample language or to indicate a needed fill-in. Sample language should be removed from the final document. All text boxes require information and shall not be left blank.

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(UNDER SAT)

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS

Acquisitions Operations

4. Barriers to Competition

5. Contractor's Qualifications

6. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

7. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office

Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Program / Project Officer

8. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: Under SAT

Based on the above justification, I hereby certify and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 for this purchase.

Contracting Officer

The WRB has researched other vendors of similar products, including other manufacturers (Teledyne). While Teledyne RiverPro and similar models that allow for mobile discharge measurements (RiverRay, StreamPro) provide strong modular systems for long term or specialized deployments, they require external components such as floats, tethered boats, separate power, and communication hardware. These complexities would result in more challenging setup and maintenance especially given that WRB staff does not have familiarity with these systems.

Additional details are as follows:

• The SonTek RS5 offers a fully integrated system with built in batteries and wireless BLE5 communications which allows the instrument to connect directly to a field tablet or laptop without the need for separate radios, external power boxes, or cabling. In addition, BLE5 provides a short range field link (up to ~100 meters) that is specifically optimized for quick discharge measurements, and the RS5 includes an onboard data buffer to prevent data loss if the connection drops during a transect. Teledyne Water Resources ADCPs such as the RiverPro and RiverRay typically depend on external communication hardware such as tethered boat radio modules, floats with built in radios, or cabled connections to a controller. These systems work well for agencies performing long term deployments or using dedicated float platforms, but they introduce more components to carry, assemble, power, maintain, and troubleshoot. This increases the time and complexity of each measurement and adds additional weight and logistical burden when moving between sites.

• The SonTek RS5 has automatic acoustic processing to allow for switching between Doppler methods (broadband vs pulse-coherent) based on water conditions to ensure reliable measurements in a variety of depths and velocities. The Teledyne RiverPro has a similar system that adjusts sampling parameters but requires manual input to optimize performance which adds field time and increases complexity which is less suitable to rapid and multi-site deployment needs.

• The SonTek RS5 has an optional integrated RTK/GNSS module that allows for seamless positioning and data synchronization. In contrast, the Teledyne Water Resources ADCP specifies that GPS and RTK must be “user supplied”, meaning the WRB cannot confirm interoperability or guarantee consistent field performance; this uncertainty in product interoperability increases risk and cost.

• The Teledyne StreamPro is limited to shallow environments (maxing out around ~12 feet depth) and lacks a confirmed high velocity deployment platform, making it potentially unsuitable for many monitoring conditions at established WRB monitoring sites.

• WRB already owns SonTek M9 and S5 systems, and the RS5 is directly compatible with existing SonTek boats and boards (including the HydroBoard II Max that WRB already owns) whereas Teledyne equipment would require purchasing an entirely new float or tethered boat system which adds to cost.

• WRB staff also have extensive familiarity with SonTek software and workflows. Shifting to the Q View software platform that is required for Teledyne ADCP products would require new training, introduce workflow disruptions, and increase the risk of data inconsistencies.

The WRB has researched other vendors of similar products, including third-party vendors of Sontek equipment (Fondriest, Evarsa, NexSens). In Oregon, Sontek authorizes the purchase of Sontek equipment solely by direct means. By purchasing through Sontek directly the SonTek RS5 would be covered by a full factory warranty, in addition to access to Sontek training and technical support. If there are resellers of Sontek equipment, it will not be cost effective to purchase through them because the reseller will have to pay full list price to purchase SonTek equipment and then sell the equipment at a higher price to the WRB to make a profit. In addition, the reseller will be unable to provide warranty and equipment training.

Text5: SonTek is the most qualified contractor to provide the RS5 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) because it is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the only source that can provide factory-authorized sales, calibration, firmware updates, technical support, replacement parts, and a full manufacturer's warranty. SonTek has extensive experience designing, manufacturing, and supporting hydroacoustic instrumentation already in use by the Water Resources Branch (WRB). In addition, USGS has independently evaluated SonTek hydroacoustic instrumentation and provides guidance and training for the use of SonTek equipment in streamflow measurement applications which demonstrates their established role within the Department of Interior hydrologist community.