BRAND_Name_(Signed)_all.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

National Capitol Region Buying Office

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity

a. Agency: National Park Service

b. Contracting Office: National Capitol Region

2. Description of the action being approved:

The National Park Service (NPS) shall be soliciting for Name Brand Ventrac 4520P Tractor.

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:

Ventrac 4520P Tractor

4. Authority:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (Brand Name)

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

The park is in need of a new mower to replace their John Deer mower which is over ten years old and failing. The current John Deere 1445 mower and other similar styled front mount mowers have a rigid frame design, which causes it to have a wide turning radius and means they often tend to scalp the turf when turning in tight areas and areas that aren’t perfectly flat. The 1445 lacks the ability to mow effectively in most of the areas. The areas that need mowed have tighter spacing and more obstacles to mow around such as trees, fences, light bollards, etc. The 1445 and other similar styled mowers on the market do not have quick attachment features and rear 3-point hitches and lack versatility to be used for anything other than mowing.

An Articulating/Oscillating Front Mount Mower allows for more effective mowing in these areas.

The articulating feature of these mowers mean that they pivot in the center, which greatly increases the turning radius for mowing in tighter spaces. The Oscillating feature mean the front and rear axles pivot as well which helps the mower dampen bumps and rough terrain. The oscillating feature also helps the mower maintain even ground contact to reduce scalping and increase cut quality.

These style of mowers all come with a quick attachment front system’s and rear 3-point hitches, which would add much needed all season versatility to our fleet, which could potentially reduce future fleet replacement needs from our park. To my knowledge there are only two brands of mowers that meet the following specification we are looking for, Ventrac and Steiner, however the Steiner does not have a continuous 30 degree turn, as required by the park to mee their cutting needs.

6. Efforts to obtain competition:

Due to the specific requirements needed by the park for this procurement, no efforts to obtain competition exist.

7. Determination that costs will be fair & reasonable:

Price analysis will be conducted using the techniques as described in FAR 13.106-3(a).

8. Description of the market research conducted:

Market Research was conducted and it was determined that there are no other mowers available on the market to perform the specified requirements by the park.

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

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

There are no other articulating/oscilating mowers on the market that will meet the needs of the government.

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

Quotes provided via GSA determined that pricing will be fair and reasonable and will cause no financial harm to the government.

10. Interested Sources:

None have expressed interest.

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

None

12. Technical Certifications:

a. I do hereby recommend the use of the Brand Name products noted above for the procurement noted above.

b. I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Requested by:

Name: Dena D. Lowe Title: FMSS Specialist, Fleet Manager

Signature: Date:

Contracting Officer:

Name:

Signature: Date:

9/6/2023