ANAFI PARROT UAS Brand Name Justification-signed.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

For purchases below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Procurement Request Number HFLWSI250095PR

1. Contracting activity/agency

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD).

2. Description of the supplies and/or services required to meet agency needs

FHWA-WFLHD requires 5 ANAFI PARROT UAS. The estimated value of this acquisition is $75000.

3. Rationale

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become industry standard equipment on construction projects. UAS provide high-resolution aerial images and videos, allow visual assessments of areas that are difficult or dangerous for staff to access, and provide real-time progress monitoring for projects. These tools can produce significant cost and time savings, in addition to improves safety.

Construction projects within Federal Lands have been relying on the divisions’ survey department to conduct UAS operations. This is no longer sustainable. These units will be shared by the 3 divisions and dedicated to specific RPOs. This purchase will ensure that our construction staff have a modern toolbox as they deliver FHWA’s mission.

While there are many other UAS that can complete this mission, the purchase and use of most of them is illegal based on the National Defense Authorization Act and appliable Executive Orders. The Anafi Parrot UAS are vetted and approved for government use by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit. The list of approved platforms can be viewed here: Blue UAS Cleared Drone List. Other platforms on the list were not selected due to: higher cost, significantly larger platform than needed, or necessity to be tethered for power.

4. Authority

FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i) – Brand-name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand-name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

Technical/Requirements Certification

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. Additionally, I certify that the above information and the technical evidence supporting this justification are complete and accurate.

Rios, Zekial/ Land Services Team Lead

Contracting Officer Certification

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and represents the best value and lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government's needs. Since this effort does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, this certification serves as approval.

Taylor, Douglas/ Contracting Officer

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION