B01_BRAND_NAME_JUSTIFICATION_0001.docx
DOCX document 17 KB Posted
- Attached to
- CHOH RC 52" ZERO TURN TRACKED MOWER
- Solicitation number
- 140PS126Q0038
About this file
This is a brand name justification document supporting the procurement of an RC Mower R-52 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH NHP). The National Park Service seeks to replace an antiquated 1990s-era Hustler hillside mower with modern equipment to improve employee safety while controlling vegetation on steep terrain across the park's 184.5 miles of federally owned property managed by four maintenance shops. The justification emphasizes that the RC Mower R-52 provides critical safety and operational advantages, including 1,000 feet of remote connectivity, the ability to operate on slopes up to 50 degrees, and a cutting capacity of 2.5 acres per hour on difficult terrain. The mower features heavy-duty construction with seven-gauge steel decking reinforced with 3/8-inch thick material across spindles, providing durability against the park's underbrush and rust challenges, plus a 72-hour parts shipping guarantee.
The document establishes that the RC Mower R-52 is significantly more capable than the closest competitor, the Spider ILD02, which operates at only 0.74 acres per hour, would require 25,994 hours to mow the entire park compared to 7,964 hours for the R-52, and lacks the tracked system necessary for safe slope operations. The park determined through thorough market research that no other manufacturers meet the critical operational requirements, and alternative solutions would require expensive equipment modifications and result in subpar performance. The procurement will be solicited through SAM.gov to small business vendors in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12 commercial item procedures, with solicitation number 140PS126Q0038.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sol_140PS126Q0038_Amd_0001.pdf | ||
| Sol_140PS126Q0038.pdf | ||
| B08_RFQ_140PS126Q0038.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION
RC Mower
JUSTIFICATION
As part of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH NHP) FY25/26 strategy the park established to identify and procure a safer method of controlling vegetation on steep sloped terrain and in sensitive areas. The park’s current method utilizes an antiquated Manned Hustler hillside mower from the 1990s. The CHOH currently has 4 maintenance shops covering 184.5 miles of federally owned property with this equipment. The NCR and the CHOH continue the commitment to ensuring the safest work site possible and this is the way. Coupling innovation and safety, we can increase our employee’s safety while maximizing troop to task.
Based on current equipment and research, the RC Mowers R-52 was found to provide an abundance of critical combinations in one package. RC Mowers models are sold with a 72-hours parts shipping guarantee. The CHOH, historically, has faced a lot of thick underbrush damage and rust from extended use on the tight towpath trails. These mower decks are fashioned from a much thicker seven-gauge steel versus cheaper smaller gauges welded with other brands. The deck is also reinforced with 3/8" thick deck across the spindles. This provides a much stronger deck with increased life span.
After completing a thorough market research, the CHOH found the RC Mower R-52 best fits the park’s needs. This model allows the user 1000' of remote connectivity and the ability to mow slope inclines up to 50°. The mowers allows the user to perform hillside & steep-incline maintenance, wetland & swamp preservation, retention ponds, dam & levy embankments, landfill slope preservation and roadside mowing without subjecting an employee to dangerous situations. This mower cuts 2.5 acre/hour on difficult terrain. To place this in perspective, the C&O Canal is approximately 19,236 acres. The R-52 could mow the entire park in 7,964 hours if fuel and operator down-time were not factors.
Even comparing this to the closest competitor, Spider ILDO2, the Spider couldn't stay with the RC Mowers R-52. The Spider ILD02 remote controlled mower boasts a 55°, but uses rubber wheels and is only 48.5" wide. This lowers the productivity to .74 acres/hour cutting session. The ILD02 could mow the entire park in 25,994 hours. The current staff is overwhelmed with regular manual mowing. This piece of equipment is smaller and doesn't negotiate the slopes as proficiently and safely as it's tracked RC Mower R-52 competitor. A mower such as this would end up at the bottom of a ravine or in the canal.
There are no other manufacturers that meet the critical features of the park’s existing needs. It is in the best interest to purchase this manufacturer’s mower with the capability of meeting the park’s existing workload. Otherwise, additional money will be required to purchase expensive equipment modifications and all new sub par equipment to meet the Park's operational needs.
APPROVAL
Based on the above justification, and in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Part 12, it is hereby decided to solicit for RC mower with small business vendors through Sam.gov
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .