A5_Justification_Final.s.pdf

Page 1 Version 03152021

United States Department of Agriculture Single Source/Brand Name Justification

Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requesting Agency:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services 4700 River Road Riverdale, MD 20737

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, AAMD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch 250 Marquette Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

Each year the USDA APHIS employees, mainly Veterinary Services personnel attend the joint United States Animal Health Association and Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians annual meeting. The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), the nation's animal health forum, is a science-based, non-profit, voluntary organization. Its members are state and federal animal health officials, national allied organizations, regional representatives, and individual members. USAHA works with state and federal governments, universities, veterinarians, livestock producers, national livestock and poultry organizations, research scientists, the extension service and several foreign countries to control livestock diseases in the United States.

Veterinary Service employees as well as other APHIS program personnel attend the conference in order to gain knowledge in their applicable area of animal health as well as collaborate with state and industry counterparts on common topics and concerns in animal health. Attendance by APHIS personnel is critical to the success of the meeting as well as carrying out the mission of the program.

The USDA APHIS Veterinary Services intends to establish a one year contract for payment of the annual meeting or conference registration fees for the joint United States Animal Health Association and Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians annual meeting held in October 2021.

Page 2 Version 03152021

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

There is no other meeting or conference where federal and state counterparts along with industry meet to share information and create resolutions (joint/transparent agreements), collectively. This is a unique conference for animal health and collaboration between all stakeholders in this industry which includes state and federal governments, universities, veterinarians, livestock producers, national livestock and poultry organizations, research scientists, etc.

The information shared at the conference may help shape how USDA business is done and information shared may be used by USDA APHIS. Additionally, new information and methods learned may be incorporated into laws, regulations, policy, and programs.

4. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Veterinary Services personnel continually search the marketplace to find events to further their agency mission and educational needs. They keep abreast of industry events of this nature and keep in contact with cooperators and industry to keep current on events of this nature. There are no other current meetings or events that mirror this put on by the USAHA.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated value of the one year contract is $55,000.00. The cost includes registration fees for up to 120 in-person attendees and an unlimited number of virtual attendees. The cost may change slightly if there are more than 120 in-person attendees or for some unforeseen circumstance the meetings/ conferences needs to be changed to 100% virtual attendance.

6. Recommended source(s).

The sole source vendor is the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). No other sources have contacted Veterinary Services and expressed an interest in this acquisition.

Certifications

The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete by Corinne Nygren, Management Analyst Program/Technical Personnel.

Corinne Nygren Technical Point of Contact

Contracting Officer (less than SAT). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Amanda Barbosa Contracting Officer