B08_Attach_A_BNJ_Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED

ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior (DOI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Environmental Studies Program (ESP) plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for the award of a purchase order on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. Purchase of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) YellowScan Mapper+ with accessories to authorized resellers. The anticipated contract type is a fixed firm price.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. This requisition is for UAV LiDAR YellowScan Mapper+ with its accessories as follows:

• One (1) YellowScan Mapper+ - P/N YSM3+KIT

• One (1) Single Camera Module 20.1MP Mapper+ - P/N YASCAMMOD+

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a brand name basis under the authority FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. Scientists and researchers across USGS, DOI, and other cooperators rely on the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) data for their missions. NUSO has been using UAV LiDAR YellowScan scanners since 2016, and the agencies that use NUSO data must utilize the same equipment brand to ensure compatibility with the existing equipment. No other UAV LiDAR scanners are known to be compatible with the YellowScan brand. Data collected by YellowScan scanners from previous projects are used among the collaborators for long term studies and using a new brand instrument could be a setback in its scientific endeavors and nullify previous years of work.

7. Other Information. None.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research conducted via sources sought posting indicated no other products or brands can provide compatible equipment to the Government’s existing inventory, meet needs for data continuity, and meet the minimum technical requirement. Competition will be sought among resellers.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. The Government will conduct market research and compete follow on requirements full and open to the maximum extent practical.

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED

ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

I certify the above statements are true and accurate.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Protected Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.