Brand_Name_Justification_GNSS_R12i.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 two Trimble R12i Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. New firm fixed price award for brand name Trimble Inc., to purchase a Trimble R12i GNSS system.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) requires the purchase of two Trimble R12i GNSS systems.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a Brand Name Justification basis under the authority FAR 13.106-1.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. The Trimble “backfill” of correction data is by way of satellites and is essential for areas where cellular service is lost. Correction data “backfill” provides centimeter-level accuracy within 5 minutes of losing cellular communication.

The Trimble R12i GNSS has specifications suitable to enhance accuracy and production needed for water data collection and interpretive investigative studies related to water science.

Procurement of the Trimble R12i GNSS will allow adaptability and interfacing with a large pre-existing inventory of Trimble GPS equipment possessed by CMWSC, which is valued at approximately $380,000.00. Data collectors from the pre-existing inventory of this GPS equipment can be used interchangeably with this Trimble R12i GNSS system. Additionally, the data collector used with the Trimble R12i GNSS data system interfaces with pre-existing proprietary Trimble Business Center software possessed by CMWSC for data collection processing and manipulation. No other product can properly interface with the existing investment in inventory or meet the data continuity needs of the Government.

7. Other Information. N/A

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

Market research via the Internet indicates no other vendor can provide compatible equipment to the Government’s inventory or provide equipment which can meet the Government’s needs for data continuity. Data continuity is paramount to ensure data recorded are not skewed for the long-term data set. Competition will be available among Trimble resellers.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition. All brands and vendor instrumentation with the ability to provide consistently high-quality equipment for current and future studies will be considered. Future requirements for same/similar items will undergo market research be competed to 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.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained.