B08_Attachment_JOFOC_Brand_Name_Redacted.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 brand name InnovaSea acoustic telemetry equipment on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. Firm Fixed Price award for procurement of InnovaSea telemetry equipment.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO requires nineteen (19) acoustic receivers for an ongoing, multi-agency telemetry study with the endangered pallid sturgeon in the Lower Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Effective telemetry systems are required to monitor habitat use, migration, and reproductive success of pallid sturgeon in response to high priority management actions identified in the Missouri River Science and Adaptive Management Plan. Telemetry systems are standardized across multiple participating agencies, and include manual tracking receivers with directional hydrophones, passive receivers for detection of fish passage, and high-power acoustic transmitters for the unique identification of juvenile and adult sturgeon. Pallid sturgeon in the Lower Missouri River move freely into the Mississippi River and therefore systems employed on the Lower Missouri River will provide for the detection of tagged sturgeon and monitoring of movement through the Mississippi River corridor using existing telemetry arrays.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

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. InnovaSea telemetry systems have been implemented successfully for pallid sturgeon research in the Lower Missouri, Middle Mississippi, Lower Mississippi, and Atchafalaya Rivers. An existing array of InnovaSea acoustic receivers exists maintained by various cooperating State and Federal agencies within the Lower Missouri River and adjacent rivers to detect and monitor migration and to assist in estimating emigration and immigration parameters for population viability models. The requested NexTrak acoustic receivers are an improved design entirely compatible with existing Innovasea VR2-Tx acoustic receivers commonly using in the Missouri River and connected river basins. An existing population of fish tagged with InnovaSea acoustic transmitters exists in adjacent rivers. The coding architecture of InnovaSea transmitters in use in the Missouri River (InnovaSea code map 115, code space A69-1602, A69-1604, A69-9001) is proprietary and current code sets cannot be reproduced by other manufacturers. It is required that all participating State and Federal agencies acquire and use the compatible equipment specified in this purchase request to achieve scientifically defensible population metrics and measurable responses to the critical management actions as identified in the Missouri River Science and Adaptive Management Plan. Timelines for monitoring and research activities in the Lower Missouri River for telemetry systems to support management actions require that receivers be acquired immediately for implementation in field studies already underway.

These NexTrak receivers must be compatible with existing Innovasea VR2-Tx acoustic receivers which the current estimated dollar value of USGS owned equipment is approximately $300,000.00. Our project partners also have an additional $125,000.00 worth of equipment for a total overall value of $390,000.00.

7. Other Information. N/A

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

Market research indicates competition may be available among InnovaSea resellers. Extensive market research, field testing of available products, and consultation with other agencies was conducted prior to the recommendation of the equipment specified. The telemetry transmitter coding architecture of the specified telemetry systems is proprietary, and no other manufacturer can provide compatible receivers or transmitters. The immediate need for telemetry receivers to address ongoing studies already underway prevents the consideration of new systems or technologies not already available on the market.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. Future requirements for the same or similar items will 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 a limited source basis. 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.

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify that the above statements are true and correct.

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer

a. The contracting officer must include a determination that the anticipated cost to the determination. Prices will be determined fair and reasonable by comparison with list prices or invoices for similar or like items.

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