Brand_Name_Justification-Redacted.pdf

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

PR: 0044008139

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

The United States Geological Survey, Geologic Hazard Science Center (GHSC) Geomagnetism Program requests award of a non-competitive procurement to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) authorized resellers for four (4) Starlink Mobile Priority Service Plans – twelve

(12) month subscription service package.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The USGS, Geological Hazards Science Center (GHSC) has a requirement to purchase four (4) Starlink Mobile Priority Services Plans - 12 Month Subscription: Mobile Priority Starlink service with 50 GB/month of Priority data and unlimited Mobile data on land.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

The total estimated dollar value is

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

The USGS Geomagnetism Program is currently working to harden its data delivery network at its 13 magnetic observatories by utilizing multiple types of internet service (wired, cellular, low Earth orbit satellite) to allow for redundancy of communications. The Geomagnetism Program purchased Starlink equipment for the USGS magnetic observatory network last year. The Starlink internet service at four of the observatories are paid through a monthly subscription paid via purchase card. It is to the Program’s advantage to switch those services to a yearly contract for funding and efficiency purposes. It is also necessary to ensure continuation of the current Starlink service to avoid outages at the four observatories, which are a DOI-designated mission essential function. Only Starlink internet service can be utilized with the existing Starlink internet equipment. It is not physically/technologically possible to use anything other than Starlink-brand internet (whether from Starlink/SpaceX or an authorized reseller) with the Starlink satellite internet equipment.

7. Other Information.

Starlink is a satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit (LEO) to deliver broadband internet capable of providing low data latency as required by the USGS Geomagnetism Program. Starlink is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX. The USGS Geomagnetism Program has already invested over in Starlink equipment that is already in use.

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

The Contracting Officer conducted market research as follows:

1. GSA Advantage:

The Contracting Officer conducted market research on GSA Advantage and found one source that provides this subscription service plan and that is from Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX).

2. NASA SEWP:

The Contracting Officer posted an RFI 337923 via NASA SEWP from March 10, 2025 through March 13, 2025 for market research purposes and did not receive any responses.

3. Open Market:

The Contracting Officer posted a sources sought notice 140G0225Q0030 via SAM.gov (Contract Opportunities) from March 10, 2025 through March 13, 2025 for market research purposes and received six (6) responses that can provide these services.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.

The USGS GHSC Geomagnetism Program provides accurate and timely data to customers in the United States and abroad. Evaluating and updating geomagnetic observatories requires the continuous testing and validation of magnetometers and data handling systems. When other manufacturers offer systems meeting the Government’s minimum needs, the Government will conduct market research and compete follow on requirements full and open to the maximum extent practical.