C04 Attachment 3_BN JA Net Radiometers.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number:

Rev. 3/4/26

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1174846 Requesting Activity Agency: USDA-NRCS-National Water and Climate Center Contracting Activity: Firm-fixed price purchase order

(2) Estimated Value

The total estimate for a quantity of (26) SN-500-SS Radiometer Sensors and (15) rod-based mounting kits with applicable shipping is

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services

This J&A authorizes and approves a new brand name justification contract for the purchase of Apogee Instruments 4 component net radiometers (SN-500-SS) for use in the NRCS snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) network. Net radiometers are fundamental for measuring incoming and outgoing radiation at SNOTEL sites managed by the NRCS Snow Survey program. Accurate radiation data is essential for understanding snowmelt dynamics and for forecasting water supplies for agriculture and for general water management in the western US. The SN-500-SS from Apogee Instruments, Inc, provides components that meet NRCS Standards and Specifications identified in the NRCS General Manual.

NRCS requires various hardware components for snow measurement sites for use in the automated SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) and SNOLITE network operated by the USDA NRCS Snow Survey Program in the western U.S.

(1) Suggested Source

Apogee Instruments, Inc.

721 W 1800 N Logan, UT, 84321

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this procurement applies due to the specific brand of sensor that’s been thoroughly vetted and tested by the NRCS Snow Survey & Water Supply Forecasting Program.

Transitioning to another brand sensor is estimated at 48 months due to the need for long-term quality assurance testing derived from historical performance data on onboarding and system familiarization periods. Such a delay is unacceptable as it would critically hamper the program’s effectiveness, United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number:

Rev. 3/4/26 risking equipment failures and increased operational costs. This procurement will ensure that the government avoids unnecessary expense and delays.

Using anything other than full and open competition under these circumstances is necessitated not by a lack of performance specifications or data packages but due to the proprietary nature and programmatic history with this specific sensor, which is solely possessed by the incumbent brand name. This mitigates the risks of operational disruptions and ensures the continued success and efficiency of the Snow Survey & Water Supply Forecasting Program, fulfilling our organizational objectives without compromise.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research revealed that there are no comparable products that can be integrated into and be compatible with the existing SNOTEL infrastructure. Apogee brand net radiometers have been tested and proven and this is the standard of the NRCS Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program SNOTEL network.

Certifications & Approvals

(5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

(6) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.