BNJ_Final with all revisions.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

1a. Requesting Activity Agency: Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center 1b. Contracting Activity: USDA, ARS, REE, PWA, AAO, Acquisition

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

Two Conviron Automated Watering System Retrofit Kits, including a hose bib connection and auxiliary switch, terminated in control panel, for timed control of automatic watering with connection to auxiliary circuit for existing Conviron growth chambers. An update of proprietary software to enable automated control of irrigation through the growth chamber mainframe computer. Installation instructions included.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

Conviron is the sole provider of a proprietary software upgrade needed to enable integration of irrigation system hardware with the internal chamber computer controller that is used to manage irrigation in coordination with all other chamber systems (e.g., lighting, temperature, etc.). In addition to the software upgrade, Conviron also provides needed hardware, including wiring, as part of an irrigation system retrofit kit.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Online searches regarding retrofit of a Conviron growth chamber to include an irrigation system did not yield any commercial offerings, other than from Conviron itself. Consistent with this, a Conviron representative informed us that purchase of a proprietary software upgrade is the only way to integrate an irrigation system with chamber controls, which is required in our use of the chambers.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated price includes two irrigation retrofit kits for two existing Conviron chambers.

6. Recommended source(s).

Conviron, Controlled Environments Inc.

#2 – 572 S 5th Street, PO Box 347 Pembina, ND 58271.

Tel: 701-280-9635

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Curtis Adams Research Plant Physiologist

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Shelley C. Steen Contracting Officer

Michael Hassett Supervisory Contracting Officer