A16_Single_Source_Justification_-_Marking_and_Taggging_BY26_LFCS_and_STT_012226_(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

PSMFC personnel have specialized technical expertise in the operation of the state-of-the-art AutoFish tagging systems, and PSMFC has conducted all coded-wire tagging and fish marking at Coleman NFH since 2007. No other contractor has access to an Autofish tagging system and can provide personnel with the unique technical expertise to operate the Autofish tagging systems afforded to PSMFC through the CDFW.

Because of the unique expertise required to operate the Autofish tagging systems, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife require that PSMFC staff be the only contractor permitted to operate the Autofish systems (see attached memo from CDFW dated March 15, 2016) . Marking/tagging fish using manual techniques is the only alternative to marking/tagging with the automated system, and would result in an unacceptable delay in the speed of work, a significant increase in program cost while, and provide decreased precision and effectiveness. For these reasons, the PSMFC has been contracted to mark all juvenile salmon and steelhead produced at the Coleman NFH Complex since at 2007.

Marking and tagging of juvenile salmon and steelhead produced at the Coleman NFH Complex is required by the California Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service. Marking and tagging of juvenile salmon and steelhead is accomplished using sophisticated state-of-the-art patented AutoFish tagging systems, which enable processing of larger numbers of fish and with improved precision as compared to the traditional method of conducting the task manually. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) personnel have specialized technical expertise in the operation of the state-of-the-art AutoFish tagging systems, and no other contractor can provide personnel with the unique technical expertise to operate the Autofish tagging systems. The Autofish tagging systems being used in California are the property of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife but are shared among all of the State and Federally operated hatcheries in the Central Valley. Because of the unique expertise required to operate the Autofish tagging systems, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife require that PSMFC staff be the only contractor permitted to operate the Autofish systems (see attached memo from CDFW dated March 15, 2016) .

Because of the unique expertise required to operate the Autofish tagging systems, the California Department of Fish and game require that PSMFC staff be the only contractor permitted to operate the Autofish systems. To offer this contract to full and open competition would necessitate that the Service purchase an automated fish marking trailer at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. Because of the high cost, this option is not currently being pursued.

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

Because of the factors listed above, PSMFC have marked and tagged all juvenile salmon and steelhead produced at the Coleman NFH Complex since the State of California purchased the Autofish tagging systems in 2007.

KEVIN NIEMELA Digitally signed by KEVIN NIEMELA Date: 2026.01.22 07:38:56 -08'00'

JOSHUA STUART Digitally signed by JOSHUA STUART Date: 2026.03.09 15:28:16 -06'00'

PSMFC personnel have specialized technical expertise in the operation of the state-of-the-art AutoFish tagging systems, and no other contractor can provide personnel with the unique technical expertise to operate the Autofish tagging systems.