A38_JEFO_Sole_Source_Justification_Redacted_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

Purchase Request Number: 0040578282

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, Acquisition Services Directorate, Division II, Branch III, in support of the Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Fleet.

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

This is a new requirement for the establishment of a sole source Blanket Purchase Agreement with Freefly Systems Inc. for the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) and other payloads that DOI commonly uses, any future versions of the Alta X or other Freefly UASs, prototypes and other equipment needed for DOI operations (payloads, batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, etc.).

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

The supplies to be furnished include the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) and other equipment necessary for operations of the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit). The Government reserves the right to bilaterally modify the agreement at a later date to include other payloads that DOI commonly uses, any future versions of the Alta X or other Freefly UASs, and other equipment needed for DOI operations (batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, etc.).

The estimated total ordering value is for a three (3) year ordering period. Delivery of item(s) is expected to be annotated per call.

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 Products and Commercial Services. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

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

The Secretary of the Interior’s memorandum, dated October 6, 2020, requires the purchase of approved Blue Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) products to adhere to cybersecurity requirements and guarantee the purchase of American technology. Blue sUAS products have been approved as they provide secure technology for Federal government operations. Therefore, only approved Department of Defense, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) models will be acquired for the DOI and its Bureaus due to unique and specialized functional and technical configurations required by Secretary’s Order 3379. Order 3379 specifies that only the Department of Defense’s DIU Blue sUAS which list the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) are available for DOI purchase.

DOI has the responsibility to manage and protect the America’s natural resources; land, water, wildlife, and energy. The missions to fulfill this responsibility can be hazardous to government personnel, must be performed on a continuous basis, and conducted with minimal impact on vegetation, wildlife, and visitors using our national lands. The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) has been identified to meet the required needs of the DOI and its Bureaus.

DOI has a total of 78 DJI Matrice 600 UASs that are coming up on end of life and are no longer supported by the vendor nor able to be purchased due to compliance with Order 3379. The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) is expected to replace the DJI Matrice 600 as the new fleet aircraft that completed 65% of DOIs FY21 flights.

The Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit) is the only approved multirotor UAS that meets the payload requirements to hold additional integration systems/options for resource missions. Failure to replace the DJI Matrice 600 UAS fleet will result in a failure to support John D. Dingell Jr.

Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9). Additionally, failure will result in more fatal helicopter/airplane accidents that are preventable by substituting for UAS technology.

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.

A notice will be publicized to the Government Point of Entry, SAM.gov for this action in accordance with FAR 5.202.

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

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases and comparison to current price lists.

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 by reaching out to Freefly Systems and reviewing approved DIU Blue sUAS. The Alta X is the only approved multirotor UAS that meets the payload requirements to hold additional integration systems/options for resource missions.

Currently Freefly Systems does not have any authorized resellers of the Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit).

DOI will continue to review the approved DIU Blue sUAS for future acquisitions and use, as well as to look for authorized resellers to enhance competition.

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

Purchase order 140D0422P0147 was awarded on August 4, 2022 to Freefly Systems for the purchase of one (1) Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit). A synopsis and redacted Justification and Approval was posted to SAM.gov on July 21, 2022 with an expiration of posting on August 21, 2022. No responses were received from any interested vendors for this procurement.

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

Freefly Systems Inc.

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 Government will continue to evaluate to see if Freefly Systems authorizes its resellers to sell their Freefly Alta X (Blue Kit). Additionally, the Blue List will be evaluated to see whether or not there are other UASs with similar/same payloads that may be able to meet DOI’s needs.

12. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Xanthe Otterstedt, Contracting Officer

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

XANTHE

OTTERSTEDT

Digitally signed by XANTHE

OTTERSTEDT

Date: 2022.09.09 14:16:55 -04'00'

Steven Ramaekers Digitally signed by Steven Ramaekers Date: 2022.09.10 18:29:24 -06'00'

Steven Ramaekers, OAS UAS Fleet Manager

14. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

Mandy Ashmore, Branch Chief

Concur

Rebecca Fentzke, Division Chief

Approve

Michael Farrell, Bureau Competition Advocate

Mandy M. Ashmore Digitally signed by MANDY

ASHMORE

Date: 2022.09.12 12:15:52 -05'00'

REBECCA

FENTZKE

Digitally signed by REBECCA

FENTZKE

Date: 2022.09.15 08:45:56 -04'00'

MICHAEL FARRELL

Digitally signed by MICHAEL

FARRELL

Date: 2022.09.15 14:37:21 -04'00'