Brand Name Justification_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Brand Name Justification

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

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

The Requiring Activity is the United States Forest Service (USFS), Wildland Fire & Aviation Management (WFAM), National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD). The Contracting Activity is the United States Forest Service (USFS), Procurement and Property Services (PPS), National Procurement Operations (NPO), Information Technology Contracting Branch (ITCB).

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

AEM MTP136D-000GN Mission Transceiver Panel Mount Radio.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD) currently owns approximately 12 VHF FM radios that are used for training pilots and aviation support personnel. Multiple manufacturers’ radios are currently used in agency, military, and contracted aircraft. The AEM MTP136D has received full approval by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and Department of Interior (DOI) for use in all federally regulated firefighting agency and contractor aircraft. The AEM MTP136D-000GN Mission Transceiver Panel Mount Radios will be installed in contractor aircraft and training for this radio is essential to ensure operators know and understand how to operate it. No other radio will meet these requirements.

This equipment is essential to ensure the safety of life and property on all incidents supported by the NIICD. They act as crucial components of the Land Mobile Radio systems the NIICD supplies to national wildland fire and “all-risk” incidents. Most of this equipment currently being used was purchased over 20 years ago and is now obsolete and no longer supported by the manufacturer. The NIICD is in the process of implementing a 10-year replacement plan for all its LMR equipment to ensure manufacturer’s support and parts availability as well as incorporation of new technologies as appropriate.

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

Market research was not conducted due to the requirement to procure only the AEM MTP136D-000GN Mission Transceiver Panel Mount Radio specifically for training purposes.

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

Estimated price for two (2) AEM MTP136D-000GN Mission Transceiver Panel Mount Radios is

6. Recommended source(s).

AEM

Unit 100 – 966 Crowley Ave Kelowna, BC Canada V1Y0L1

(250) 763-1088 www.aem-corp.com

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.

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.