Brand Name/Sole Source Justification (SAM)

This is a Brand Name/Sole Source Justification form submitted to SAM.gov for a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) procurement of supplies. The justification authorizes procurement from Bird RF as the sole source supplier under FAR 13.106-1(b)(ii) for particular brand-name items without full and open competition.

The procurement covers two specific products: Part 4480A (Power Meter/Wattmeter) and Part 4480A046 (Transit Case), both branded as Bird RF, plus associated shipping. The justification establishes that the Bird 4480A Digital Power Meter is the only power meter available capable of performing full spectrum measurements across the USCG's required frequency range (2 MHz to 1 GHz), with the specialized capability to conduct medium-to-high power radio frequency measurements essential for maintaining accurate measurements in the USCG's Test & Measurement Diagnostic Equipment systems. The Bird 4480A provides real-time calculations and 4.0% accuracy—superior performance that no other known power meter in the industry can achieve while meeting current USCG RF power measurement requirements. The transit case is necessary for protection, storage, and transportation of the power meter. Procurement of any alternative brand would result in 12-24 additional months of research and testing, creating unacceptable delays, and would represent substantial duplication of government costs without recovery through competition. The contracting officer signed this justification on August 24, 2026, and noted that the Corona Division has no current plans to compete future contracts for these supplies but will assess feasibility if another potential source emerges.