Attachment 2 - Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

This document is a Limited Source/Brand Name Justification for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency seeks to award a firm fixed price purchase order for preventative maintenance, service, and repairs on a Quadient DS-1200 Folder/Inserter (SN WBM2700) for their Print Mail Center (PMC) located in St. Louis, MO. The PMC is responsible for printing, folding, inserting, and mailing hundreds of thousands of reports, communications, and survey forms annually using multiple high-speed printers and document finishing units.

The justification explains that NASS currently owns the specific Quadient equipment and requires maintenance services directly from the manufacturer or its authorized technicians. To ensure operational status, the agency needs a local service provider with a maximum 4-hour response time for service calls. Market research was conducted by searching SAM.gov, reviewing previous similar purchases, and consulting with the agency's technical point of contact. The document includes certifications from technical personnel and the Contracts Officer affirming the accuracy of the justification and the rationale for limiting competition to a single source.