Brand_Name_Justification_-_Ventrac_Mower.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CONTRACTING OPERATIONS - CENTRAL

1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240

Justification for Brand Name Products

Date: 05/20/2025

Project: Ventrac Tractor 4520Y Kubota D902

1. Identifications

a. Agency:

b. Contracting Office:

National Park Service OHIO Major Acquisition Buying Office

2. Description of the action being approved:

The National Park Service (NPS) shall be soliciting for a Ventrac Tractor 4520Y Kubota D902. The documents included with the solicitation call for specific brand name products that are peculiar to one manufacturer. This written justification provides approval for limiting competition to the listed brand name products as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations

(FAR).

3. Description of supplies and services: Purchasing a new Ventrac Tractor 4520YKubota D902 with a large toolbox kit to be used on the towpath for mowing operations.

4. Authority:

a. 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

b. FAR Part 11.105: The Brand Name products are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet and cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs.

c. FAR 6.302-1: The use of the name brand products are essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

5. The description of the product’s unique qualifications or the unique nature of the acquisition:

Purchasing this Ventrac for the Park to use on the towpath to mow the shoulders. Requesting this brand as the park already has 3 Ventrac tractors in our use. This will allow the mower decks or attachments to be interchangeable between the 4 Ventrac Tractors. The attachments will only be able to hook up to Ventrac type tractors.

6. Efforts to obtain competition:

a. Efforts to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable:

For acquisitions over $25,000 the solicitation will be issued on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov.

b. Presolicitation notice per FAR 5.2:

For acquisitions over $25,000 a presolicitation notice shall be posted on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov unless the exception noted at FAR Part 5.202(a)(13) applies.

7. Determination that costs will be fair & reasonable:

The government will post for bids and evaluate proposals that meets the SOW for this type of Ventrac requested.

8. Description of the market research conducted:

Market research was conducted on who can provide the Ventrac model mower as we currently have 3 in our inventory. We want to keep the same brand to keep spare parts inventory to the same brand. If we have multiple types of equipment, then spare parts inventory will go up. The mechanics are already familiar with these models of Ventracs and can repair them.

9. Other facts supporting other than full & open competition:

a. Reason why documents suitable for full & open competition have not been developed:

Keeping our inventory to the same brand will allow us to swap attachments universally between the other 3 Ventracs we have. Employees are familiar with these types of tractors. Mowers have been a documented as a hazardous and dangerous types of equipment to be using. If we have different types of machinery that increases the potential of an accident as employees switch around on different types of mowers. By keep the same brand all the levers and operations are the same. This reduces the chance of an employee hurting themselves or the piece of equipment.

b. Data, estimated costs or other rationale as to the extent or harm to the Government:

Keeping parts inventory on the same brand already have thus reduces the cost to keep spare parts on hand. When employees use multiple types of equipment this can increase the risks of accidents. Increasing the chances of workers compensation claims and lost time.

10. Interested Sources:

Bairs Lawn and Garden.

Mast-Lepley AG/Hardware/Turf

Century Equipment

11. Actions to remove barriers to competition in the future for similar acquisitions:

There is very limited type of equipment like this model of mower.

The government would consider open competition if we were replacing all mowers at the same time. That would make the best economical decision.

12. Certifications:

Technical / Requirements Certification:

I certify that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (i.e. verifying the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate:

JOSEPH SIMKANIN SIMKANIN

Digitally signed by JOSEPH

(Signature)_______________________________Date: 2025.05.20 13:59:52 -04'00'_________ (Date) ______05/20/2025_________________

(Type or Print Name): ____Joe Simkanin______________________________________________

(Title):

Up to $50,000

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) _______________________

(Type or Print Name): ___Christopher Bauer_______________________________________________

Contracting Officer

Reviewed by MABO Lead (exceeding $50,000):

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) _______________________

06/02/2025

(Type or Print Name): _________________________________________________ Lead Contracting Officer

Reviewed/Concur/Approved by: (exceeding $250,000)

(Signature) _______________________________________ (Date) _______________________

(Type or Print Name): _________________________________________________ Regional or Center Chief of Contracting