DRAFT Brand Name Justification Fertilizer - Holganix.doc

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Brand Name IAW FAR 11.105(a) Action ID: F369146-24-2000049

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Contracting Services, Riverside National Cemetery.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

Six totes delivers. Every four months will be a delivery of two totes of each – two Bio800 turf fertilizer and two Blue Sky turf fertilizer. Two specific products, the Bio800 + Lawn "Holganix" which needs refrigeration and Blue Sky, a slow-release pre-biotic fertilizer. They are ordered together and is mixed in equal parts cause one is live bacteria and fungus and Blue Sky is its food.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one brand, with the reason no other brands for supplies or services can be used:

Holganix Bio focuses on biology as a core solution for soil and plant health. The product line incorporates proprietary blends of soil microbes, microbe food, and nutrient enhancers that foster resilient plants and healthier soils.

Holganix Bio offers unique features and capabilities that are not available in any other brand on the market, making it essential for our project objectives. These unique characteristics are summarized as follows:

Proprietary Microbial Formulation:

Holganix Bio employs a proprietary blend of over 800 species of soil microbes, which is specifically designed to optimize soil health and plant growth. This unique microbial diversity is not replicated in any competing product, making it indispensable for achieving superior results in soil rejuvenation, nutrient cycling, and plant resilience.

Biology-Driven Approach

Unlike conventional products that rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Holganix uses a biology-first strategy, delivering a sustainable solution for soil and plant health. The product’s ability to naturally enhance soil fertility, reduce input costs, and improve plant resilience to environmental stress is unmatched by competitors.

Integrated Microbe and Nutrient Support:

Holganix Bio uniquely integrates microbe food and nutrient enhancers that promote microbial activity and nutrient conversion in the soil. This holistic approach supports immediate visible results while also fostering long-term soil health—ensuring sustained plant performance with reduced reliance on chemical inputs.

Proven Environmental and Cost Benefits

The reduction in the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides not only supports environmental goals but also reduces operational costs over time. This dual benefit is specific to Holganix’s proprietary formulation, as no other brand offers comparable environmental impact reductions while driving consistent agronomic performance.

Proprietary Rights and Exclusive Availability:

The specific microbial species blend and the proprietary formulation process are protected by intellectual property rights, limiting availability solely to Holganix. No other brand has access to or can replicate the microbial diversity and formulation used in Holganix products, making it the only viable solution for our project needs.

Due to the proprietary blend, unique biology-driven approach, and exclusive environmental and cost benefits, Holganix is the only brand that can meet the specific requirements for this contract. The unique capabilities of Holganix Bio cannot be matched by any other product, justifying the procurement of this brand-name product to ensure optimal soil health, plant performance, and cost efficiency.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research is ongoing to identify suppliers of Holganix fertilizer and to discover suitable alternatives to Holganix fertilizer

5. Contracting Officer's Certification:

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 11.105(a), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a brand name is reasonably available.

Name Date

Contracting Officer