Attachment C - Brand_Name_Justification_Ford F350.pdf

Brand Name Limited-Sources Justification (B-LSJ)

For orders or BPAs exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

LSJ No: FY24-0026 Page 1 of 3

03.21.2022 v.1.0

Brand Name Limited-Sources Justification

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Procurement Division, proposes to award an (600001), on behalf the Special Operations Division, pursuant to FAR 8.405-6, Limiting Sources.

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

USSS intends to limit the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contractors solicited to a particular brand name product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

The United States Secret Service, Rowley Training Center (USSS RTC) Canine Training Unit has an immediate need for the purchase of three Ford F350s to meet canine training requirments.

The Secret Service is requesting the purchase of these vehicles through the GSA Express Desk to fulfil the increased training tempo of the Canine Training Unit. The diesel, dual wheel F350 remains the best available option for the safe transport and trailering of personnel and canines.

Currently, there are no available alternatives or replacements in the USSS Fleet due to lack of diesel, dual wheel F350 availability through GSA AutoChoice in 2023 and 2024. Express Desk is being requested to fulfill this acquisition as the required operations specification for the F350 is currently not available via GSA AutoChoice.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The Rowley Training Center (USSS RTC) Canine Training Unit has a critical need for three (3) diesel, dual wheel, F350s to be used for towing a canine trailer in support of new canine classes.

The approximate vehicle cost of $70K totaling $210,000 with no option years. Period of Performance shall be no longer than 90 days from the contract approval.

4. Authority and supporting rationale.

In 2022, the United States Secret Service formally established a new open area detection canine program (PSC-O). With the establishment of a new canine program of record, the canine training schedule has increased to include new PSC-O classes. New classes require RTC canine trainers to tow a canine trailer to and from the canine vendor facility for dog pick up, which requires trailering through mountainous terrain. RTC has tested and utilized different vehicle platforms to canine pick up and has found the F350 diesel with dual wheel configuration to provide the appropriate towing capacity, vehicle responsiveness, and vehicle stability for safe transport of personnel and canines. An additional feature is a full crew cab to transport up to four canine trainers per selection trip.

RTC traditionally purchases F350s for canine training via the GSA AutoChoice website, but Diesel, Dual Wheel F350s have not been available through AutoChoice in 2023 or 2024.

LSJ No: FY24-0026 Page 2 of 3

Currently, the Canine Training fleet is insufficient to support the traditional canine classes as well as new PSC-O classes.

In light of this information, RTC is requesting to make a direct lot purchase in an effort to obtain Diesel, Dual Wheel Ford F350s in the quickest fashion possible.

5. Determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the anticipated order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

The contracting officer has determined that issuing the proposed Delivery Order for F350s represents the best value and will result in the lowest overall cost, considering price and administrative costs, to meet the Government’s needs. The General Services Administration (GSA) has already negotiated fair and reasonable price. USSS will solicit competition from authorized FSS resellers to ensure a fair price. Discounts from the GSA schedule prices will be requested.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

The results of the recent market research decribed below indicate other companies’ similar product(s) lack the particular/unique feature(s) required and do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the needs of USSS.

Recent internet searches of surrounding dealerships in the Washington, DC, area have shown that the requested vehicles are in stock and ready for purchase from multiple vendors.

Requesting that the GSA Express Desk conduct market survey to determine vendors that have F350s in stock that meet the vehicle specification required by the RTC.

o List of competitor products and the particular/feature that is/are lacking.

o If a similar feature is present, explain why it cannot meet the need or be modified to meet the government’s needs (See FAR 11.105).

o The anticipated cost of procuring or maintaining a product that does not meet agency needs.

o Reason why procuring the item/service based on form, fit, and function descriptions or on a brand-name or equal basis is not feasible (See FAR 11.104).

o State whether the item/service is available on only through the OEM, or the OEM and multiple re-sellers.

7. Any other facts supporting the limited-sources justification.

Recent internet searches of surrounding dealerships in the Washington, DC, area have shown that the requested vehicles are in stock and ready for purchase from multiple vendors.

LSJ No: FY24-0026 Page 3 of 3

Requesting that the GSA Express Desk conduct market survey to determine vendors that have F350s in stock that meet the vehicle specification required by the RTC.

8. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

RTC will continue to check Auto Choice for future yearly F350 purchases to increase competition, but lack of availability in 2023 and 2024 has created an urgent and compelling need to purchase F350s direct from the dealership in order to obtain and maintain a sufficient operational fleet as soon as possible to maintain canine training schedule.

9. USSS intends to post this justification with the solicitation on GSA’s e-Buy site in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(i)(B).

10. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(x), I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which form a basis for the Limited-Sources Justification, are accurate and complete.

Technical Representative/COR Date

11. Contracting Officer Certification

Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(ix), I certify that the Limited-Sources Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date