B08_JOFOC_1.doc

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Bureau of Land Management FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Simplified Acquisitions Purchase Order: 140L1222P004

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting office.

Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

The Kern River Valley sees a massive influx of recreational visits on the high use holiday weekends that include Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. The Kern County Sheriffs office estimates that the population of the valley area increases by more that 20,000 people during the 4th of July weekend. Similar increases in numbers of people are seen on Memorial Day and Labor Day. BLM recreational areas along the Kern River are filled to capacity and Local BLM law enforcement resources are not adequate without bringing in assistance. With only three BLM law enforcement rangers in the Bakersfield Field Office, we are not even able to patrol other areas of the field office due to the call volume and number of visitors in the Kern River Valley. Other areas of the field office however, such as the North Fork of the Kaweah River, San Joaquin Valley Gorge, and Fresno River also see a large increase in use on holiday weekends and should be patrolled. Contracting with Kern County for law enforcement coverage in the Kern River valley would allow us to patrol those areas.

In the past, the Bakersfield Field Office has brought in BLM officers from other areas to assist in providing adequate law enforcement coverage on holiday and busy weekends, but current staffing levels makes this a challenge as those law enforcement resources are needed locally. Additionally, outside resources lack local knowledge, radio channels, and state authority in Kern County reducing their usefulness and making a local contract a better value.

The cost of bringing in BLM detailers and contracting for those services with Kern County Sheriff’s Office is comparable. The Kern County Sheriff has offered to provide additional law enforcement officers to supplement BLM officers in order to adequately cover the high use recreation areas in Kern County. The Kern County Sheriff has agreed to provide Dispatch service while in Kern County via computer aid dispatch and mobile data terminals.

Specifically, the Sheriff’s office will provide up to two deputy sheriff’s officers on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 section 303(c)(1) authorizes the BLM to engage in contracts with local law enforcement agencies.

When the Secretary determines that assistance is necessary in enforcing Federal laws and regulations relating to the public lands or their resources he shall offer a contract to appropriate local officials having law enforcement authority within their respective jurisdictions with the view of achieving maximum feasible reliance upon local law enforcement officials in enforcing such laws and regulations.

Subsection (d) authorized the BLM to reimburse law enforcement agencies for their assistance.

In connection with the administration and regulation of the use and occupancy of the public lands, the Secretary is authorized to cooperate with the regulatory and law enforcement officials of any State or political subdivision thereof in the enforcement of the laws or ordinances of such State or subdivision. Such cooperation may include reimbursement to a State or its subdivision for expenditures incurred by it in connection with activities which assist in the administration and regulation of use and occupancy of the public lands.