A17_SSJ_FWS_Airbus_Purchase_redacted_Redacted_ad.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

Solicitation

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

SOLICITATION 140D8022R0001: New Air Bus H-125 (AS 350-B3e) aircraft for the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Region 2 and 4.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This document is a sole source justification for the Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division II, Branch IV, Boise, ID in support the Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Boise, ID and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a new HUBZone, sole source award IAW FAR 19.1306 to Davenport Aviation for the purchase of one (1) new Air Bus H-125 (AS 350-B3e). This helicopter will replace a DOI-owned Air Bus AS 350-B2 used by (FWS) in Regions 2 and 4 since 2009. The contract type will be firm fixed price.

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This requirement is for one (1) new Air Bus H-125 (AS 350-B3e). It is a single engine light utility helicopter that will include the following features required by the FWS in regions 2 and 4 to perform fire suppression, various natural resource management, and disaster relief missions.

Left Hand Pilot in Command (PIC) Seat.

Factory Boundary Layer Research (BLR) fast fin tail rotor system.

Dual Hydraulic System.

Crash Worthy Full Cell.

Left and Right Side Main Cabin Doors.

Cargo Basket attachment right and left side.

Three external cargo compartments Flat floor All forward facing seats

The estimated value of this aircraft is $4M.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41U.S.C 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii). In addition, this acquisition is being conducted as a HUBZone sole source award under the authority of 15 U.S.C. 657a as implemented by FAR 19.1306.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

This is a HUBZone sole source award IAW FAR 19.1306 to Davenport Aviation. A Small Business Search showed that Davenport Aviation was certified by the SBA as HUBZone on 07/03/2017 and is the only HUBZone vendor under NAICS 336411, Aircraft Manufacturing that can provide the required aircraft. Market research indicates that it is not likely to receive two or more offers from HUBZone vendors. A class wavier to the Non-manufacturing Rule for NAICS 336411was posted on 4 December 2004 under Federal Register 69 Fed. Reg.75102 and is available from the Small Business Administration.

Solicitation

As required for HUBZone sole source awards, none of the exclusions in FAR 19.1304 apply and all the requirements of FAR 19.306 are met:

(1)The contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that offers would be received from two or more HUBZone small business concerns;

(2) The anticipated price of the contract, including options, will not exceed-

(i) $7 million for a requirement within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for manufacturing; or

(ii) $4.5 million for a requirement within all other NAICS codes;

(3) The requirement is not currently being performed by an 8(a) participant under the provisions of subpart 19.8 or has been accepted as a requirement by SBA under subpart 19.8;

(4) The acquisition is greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (see part 13);

(5) The HUBZone small business concern has been determined to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance; and

(6) Award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

This Sole Source Justification uses the authority of 6.302-5(5) and will be posted on SAM.gov as required by FAR 5.2.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

As a commercial item sold to the public pricing catalogs exist from Davenport Aviation and the manufacturer, Airbus.

This aircraft is also available on a GSA schedule and has been determined fair and reasonable. This pricing information along with the knowledge and experience of the DOI Fleet Manager and National Helicopter Specialist provides the Contracting Officer with the information needed to determine the pricing fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. Prior acquisition history and government databases for required sources were reviewed. Interviews with knowledgeable individuals in the government and industry were conducted. It was concluded that an Airbus H125 helicopter is a commercial product sold to the public available from the factory and multiple authorized sales centers. Market research also showed that one vendor, Davenport Aviation is a SBA certified HUBZone vendor and is eligible for a HUBZone sole source set aside.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

Aircraft requirements are established by OAS in cooperation with the FWS. An Aviation Business Case Summary (ABCS) for the FWS Regions 2 and 4 replacement helicopter was completed in August 2021 The ABCS provides a detailed analysis that concluded that the Airbus H125 meets FWS aviation configuration and system requirements.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Airbus Davenport Aviation

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The Department of Interior always uses commercially available aircraft to provide the maximum level of competition.

There is a safety benefit to the Government when pilots can move from one make and model of aircraft to the next generation. If the FWS were to have a future requirement for an additional helicopter it would be an Airbus H125. This is based on the safety that fleet standardization provides and cost factors.