A16_Single_Source_Justification_signed_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

Biomark’s PIT tag readers and components operate with existing IFWCO software and PIT tag data management systems that are in widespread use throughout the Columbia River Basin. These systems—used for interrogation, data capture, remote communication, and system diagnostics—are proprietary to Biomark and are not compatible with alternative PIT tag reading devices. Integrating a different manufacturer’s system would render the existing software, databases, and communication tools inoperable, resulting in major data management disruptions and costly system reconfiguration.

Market research confirms that no other vendors offer PIT tag interrogation systems that are compatible with Biomark’s CPTE approved tag technology or with the existing custom infrastructure at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. No alternative system can integrate with current software, PIT tag readers, antenna designs, or historical data structures.

Text1: The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (IFWCO) is responsible for monitoring and evaluating anadromous fish programs at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. These evaluations require the use of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to monitor fish survival, migration timing, and adult return rates throughout the Columbia River Basin.

All PIT tag data within the Basin are processed through PTAGIS, which requires that PIT tags used for monitoring meet the Comprehensive PIT Tag Evaluation (CPTE) standard. Currently, Biomark manufactures the only 12 mm PIT tag that has passed the CPTE standard and is therefore the only viable product for use in anadromous fish monitoring across the Basin.

Biomark, in partnership with NOAA, also builds and maintains the majority of PIT tag interrogation systems in the Columbia River Basin. These systems, including the existing infrastructure at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, are custom built and calibrated specifically to operate with Biomark’s hardware, firmware, and software.

This justification supports a sole source procurement to Biomark, Inc. for the purchase and installation of a new PIT tag antenna array system, including associated components and a Bluetooth enabled PIT tag reader, at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. The unit will replace an outdated Biomark system. The old system will not work with new updated government laptops and technology.

Text5: Because Biomark produces the only tag approved under the CPTE standard, and because interrogation equipment must fully detect and decode those tags, Biomark is the only vendor capable of providing equipment that meets regional data requirements, PTAGIS reporting standards, and federal/tribal monitoring obligations.

Interrogation sites are custom built. Biomark personnel have unique technical expertise with their proprietary hardware and software, and are the only vendor capable of ensuring proper installation, calibration, and validation of PIT tag detection equipment at this site.