B08_Attachment_1_-_Brand_Name_Justification.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a Bathymetric Rover on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This requirement is for a Bathymetric Rover kit (ATC- GNSS-HYDR) for use on TX/OK Network. The rover’s GNSS receiver must be manufactured by Trimble, Inc. to interact with existing equipment.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The USGS Texas Water Science Center needs a Bathymetric GPS rover to collect accurate location and depth data to develop volumetric models and representations of select environments. The system must be able to communicate with the Center’s remotely controlled acoustic equipment, a Q-Boat 1250, and utilize a signal subscription service to enhance location data.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. The estimated dollar value of this requirement is approximately

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. This bathymetric GPS rover kit (item number-ATC-GNSS-HYDR) contains a proprietary navigation system manufactured by Trimble, Inc., which are the only products capable of working with the existing equipment on the Q-Boat vehicle. Switching to another type of navigation/GPS system would result in a duplication of costs exceeding $30,000.00 to replace the multiple GPS receivers currently owned to provide compatible data. Trimble, Inc., and its resellers also provides necessary data services on its RTKnet, a GPS/location high accuracy network, that provides real-time data correction to improve the necessary data.

7. Other Information. N/A

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

Market research including reviews of industry web sites, publications, and commercial directories was preformed to identify other potential competitive sources. No other sources were found to have an appropriate kit containing the equipment necessary to accomplish bathymetric surveys or equipment compatible with the existing inventory. Competition will be sought among Trimble resellers.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. Future requirements for same/similar items will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extent practical.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. The price will be determined reasonable through the price paid for previous similar purchases and competition among resellers.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.