A16_Single_SOurce_Justification_CO_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

Text3: (Describe the actions taken to locate other capable sources or brands. List any sources that expressed in writing an interest in the procurement.)

There is current market research being performed by BOR. So far, there are no valid results. We request to continue with Biomark as they have been leading the market per testing in 2018.

Text2: (Describe the market research conducted or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.)

There are salient characteristics for PIT tags and PIT tag readers that are considered essential to the minimum needs of the USFWS. Biomark and other vendors have been through rigorous testing in the past by both Federal and State entities to verify which PIT tags, PIT readers, and PIT Array equipment holds true to the standard necessary to ensure data collection and fish safety. Biomark was choosen, PIT Tags, PIT Readers, and PIT Array equipment has been purchased throughout the years. USFWS is currently using Biomark PIT tags and equipment. The risk of purchasing non-compatible equipment could result in fish mortality, limit data collection, waste of tax payer money, and thereby failure of the project Statement of Work.

Text1: (Describe the requirement and any special circumstances pertaining to this acquisition.)

The USFWS uses PIT tags and related PIT Array equipment for fish projects, and other objects are tracked and recorded through the use of Passive Integrated Transponder tags (PIT Tags). These tags and associated equipment are required to meet the needs of various agencies to continue to conduct research and monitoring activities of the various items and animals that can be tagged using a PIT tag. The goal of this project is to assess lamprey in a newly reconnected and restored floodplain by monitoring seasonal migration patterns and habitat use by northwest lamprey species, including their respective life stages. The recently completed Steigerwald Lake Reconnection Project added nearly 1,000 acres of wetted floodplain to the Columbia River by reconnecting the lake with lower Gibbons Creek, which was previously isolated and disconnected behind levees. Northwest lampreys (Pacific and Lampetra species) use these areas for rearing and migration, so floodplain disconnection and barriers can serve as a significant threat to lamprey in the Lower Columbia and Mainstem Columbia RMUs. The seasonal use of these newly reconnected areas by lamprey is largely unknown in the lower Columbia River basin. Lamprey habitat use will be assessed post-reconnection of the floodplain over multiple years, and passive detection of tagged lamprey will provide opportunities to continue assessment well after the two years outlined in this proposal. As large-scale restoration projects and flow management continue in the lower Columbia River, this information will help inform best practices for habitat restoration and water management by assessing the timing and magnitude of lamprey movement and habitat use associated with restoration at Steigerwald Lake NWR. This work will provide a baseline information on the use of these complex habitats by multiple species and life stages of lamprey, since reconnected habitats can have large seasonal and annual changes in water levels and temperatures that may influence access and use, and some newly flooded areas may not initially have substrates suitable for lamprey rearing.

Text4: (Describe the actions taken to overcome barriers to competition for any subsequent acquisitions.)

There are a multitude of strict minimum specifications for PIT Tags, PIT Readers, and related equipment which any vendor with related products must go through. The testing is a huge undertaking between Federal, State, and local scientists to compare products. It is a very lengthly process. BOR is working on this right now.

Text5: (Provide a description to demonstrate, based on the proposed contractor's qualifications or the nature of the procurement, of the reasons for using that exception.)

Biomark has already been proven to provide the quality and meets all strict specifications. Past history and continued knowlege, current Biomark equipment, reliabliltiy.