C38_J_A_UTA_2025_Eco_Passes_Sam_Posting_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

https://www.blm.gov

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR ACQUISTIONS UNDER SIMPLIFIED ACQUISTION PROCEEDURES

This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by 13.106-1(b)(1) & (2).

1. AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office 440 West 200 South, Suite 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84101

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF ACTION(S):

This is a firm-fixed-price, sole source one-year contract for ECO Passes with the Utah Transportation Authority (UTA).

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

UTA ECO Passes are ordered yearly for employees of the BLM Utah State Office (UTSO).

These passes are for official government use of the public transportation system in Utah at a discounted rate. BLM rate for UTA ECO Passes 2025 – 164 Each @ $275 = $45,100.00

4. ESTIMATED DOLLAR VALUE:

BLM rate for UTA ECO Passes 2025 – 164 Each @ $275 = $45,100.00

5. IDENTIFICATION OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

__X__41 U.S.C. 1901 – Simplified acquisition procedures (use when the simplified procedures for purchases of property and services for amounts (1) not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold

____41 U.S.C 1903 – Special emergency procurement authority (applies when in support of a contingency operation as defined in section 101(a) of title 10 or to facilitate the defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack against the United States).

6. RATIONALE SUPPORTING USE OF THE AUTHORITY STATED IN PARAGRAPH 5:

The federal government offers a transit subsidy program to employees, including BLM UTSO employees that wish to participate in this program. In situations where the https://www.blm.gov/

Government may obtain passes as a discounted rate, the agency can choose to procure the passes rather than reimbursing employees for public transportation costs. This offers a considerable cost savings to the Government to purchase the yearly pass at $275 per pass per year, compared to reimbursing individuals at $198 per month. Attached is the National Business Center documentation outlining office purchasing passes. UTA is the only provider of mass public transportation in Utah, and therefore the most qualified vendor to fulfil BLM Utah’s public transportation needs.

7. OTHER INFORMATION:

The UTA offers a significant discount for Government entities purchasing transit passes in bulk. This discounted price of $275 per annual pass offers the best value for the Government and is fair and reasonable after comparing with UTA’s standard commercial pricing with the Annual Select pass ($499/year), Monthly pass ($59/month or $708/year), Daily passes ($6.40/day or $2,329.60/year).

UTA Eco Passes prices have been compared to the historical cost from six previous years, as follows:

2024 – 164 @ $275 = $45,100.00 2023 – 160 @ $275 = $44,000.00 2022 – 164 @ $275 = $45,100.00 2021 – 164 @ $275 = $45,100.00 2020 – 164 @ $392 = $64,288.00 2019 – 164 @ $392 = $64,288.00 2018 – 164 @ $392 = $64,288.00

Despite relatively high inflation between 2021 and 2022, next year’s price has remained steady. Additionally, the price dropped dramatically (30 percent) between 2020 and 2021.

Online comparisons for annual public transportation passes across the US has been conducted. Prices varied widely - from $240 to $1189. The average price was $792.21, and the median was $744.00. Graphically, the prices are as follows:

The market research shows that UTA’s price of $275 is very reasonable. It is less than half of the average price of $792.21. For reasons stated above, UTA’s price is fair and reasonable.

Information obtained from The Most and Least Affordable Cities for Public Transit - ValuePenguin.

8. THE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL SOURCES INCLUDING THE MARKET RESEARCH

CONDUCTED:

A Public Notice will be posted before award to SAM.GOV to allow potential sources to be made aware of this requirement and give them fair opportunity to respond if they have a comparable service being offered by the UTA.

9. FUTURE PLANS TO PERMIT COMPETITION:

Due to the unique position that UTA holds offering the only public transit options along the Wasatch Front currently available, there are no future plans to allow for competition.

10. CERTIFICATIONS:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

// Signature on file // Pete Ross Date Deputy State Director, Support Services

I hereby certify that the facts and representations included in this justification for other than full and open competition are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

// Signature on file //

Sarah Hancey Date Contracting Specialist

I hereby certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements, and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is accurate and completed to the best of my knowledge and belief.

// Signature on file //

Temujene H. Makua Date Contracting Officer https://www.valuepenguin.com/most-and-least-affordable-cities-commuting#most-least https://www.valuepenguin.com/most-and-least-affordable-cities-commuting#most-least