BRAND NAME JA.pdf

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 1 of 2

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1

For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C244-22-AP-6756

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 04, 562 Erie VA Medical Center.

Network Contracting Office 4, Commodities 1. Purchase Request # 562-23-1-5700-0001.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: This is a brand name requirement for Ventrac 4520Y tractor with heated CAB and hitch and selected attachments/accessories. This Tractor will be added to our current fleet of Ventrac tractors and will be used by our Grounds Department for snow and lawn activities. Due to the versatility of this Tractor, it will be used during all four seasons. Erie VAMC encounters. Estimated value is $81,105.00.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Erie VAMC currently uses Ventrac equipment and has an inventory of 9 powered implements to include mowers, salt and fertilizer spreaders, plows, rollers valued at $75K that are compatible only with the Ventrac 4520Y tractor. Changing the Make of this equipment would require the replacement and purchasing of additional implements which would not be interchangeable with current inventory of equipment.

Ventrac equipment is the only known Make of garden sized tractor currently available that is articulated and oscillating all-wheel drive that has a case hardened pivot point with right-hand controls for motion and implement control. The improved pivot point increases reliability. The right-hand controls allow better and safer operation of the equipment and implements. For the size and weight of this Ventrac, this tractor is more efficient at snow removal than other Makes. This Ventrac equipment does not exceed weight restrictions of the 2nd level parking garage when exceptionally heavy snow falls occurs. The dimensions of this Make and attachments are ideal for snow removal on the sidewalks located at the Erie VA Medical Center. Other Makes of equipment and implements capable of clearing sidewalks are less versatile, more difficult to use, and would cause more damage.

Additionally, this Make of equipment has better performance on inclined surfaces. This equipment is used by many entities in Western Pennsylvania due to the combination of reliability and versatility.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

There are five retail vendors within 142 miles of Erie. A list of those vendors is in the eCMS briefcase. A search of FPDS using Keyword “Ventrac Tractor”, PSC “2420” and NAICS “333112” yielded 5 awards to the Department of Veterans Affairs with the most recent being made in NCO 2 for Ventrac Tractor Accessories. A search of GSA using Keyword “Ventrac 4520Y Tractor” yielded results for other Ventrac Tractors but not this particular model. I contacted Ventrac via email to get confirmation that this equipment is NOT on their GSA Schedule and received a response from them stating they were going to add this model in the future. A VIP search was done and identified 12 potential SDVOSB’s, however there is not a waiver of the NMR for this equipment, so a SDVOSB set-aside is not allowed.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 2 of 2

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Caroline Robinette

Contracting Officer, NCO 4 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466