SoleSourceJust.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE or BRAND NAME SPECIFIED (Simplified Acquisitions <$150K)

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), the Contracting Officer determines if the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available or a portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item. This determination must be supported with full justification for Sole Source or Brand Name from the Technical/Requirements personnel. When the Technical/Requirements personnel describe an item with a purchase description which limits the competition, the justification must explain why the item is the only one that will meet the Government’s requirement. The Technical/Requirements personnel shall provide the following information:

1. Organization/Line Office:

NMFS, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division

2. Procurement Request Number:

NFFKPR00-16-01925

3. Description of Action being Approved:

In the U.S. an active and organized sea turtle stranding network has been developed and continues to be improved in order to quantify the seasonality, species composition, stock structure, life history stage, sex ratio, and distribution of turtles that wash ashore dead or alive. Due to its endangered status, strandings involving the Kemp’s ridley turtle receive a great deal of attention from federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing the Endangered Species Act as well as fishing industry interest whose fishing activities may be affected by management actions. The epicenter of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting is located between La Pesca, in the state of Tamaulipas and Lechuguillas, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Stranding data collected since 2001 have shown that significant strandings are occurring, both during the nesting season and throughout the remainder of the year.

Stranding data, collected in a systematic manner, and over the long-term, are a source of important information to inform conservation management to address threats and to provide information on mortality factors.

The specified work will facilitate the continuation of stranding surveys on the Tamaulipas, Mexico coastline to document mortality and to evaluate potential causative factors. Annual data are needed to understand the level of sea turtle strandings and to evaluate the trend(s) in strandings. Prior to the initiation of stranding surveys in Mexico in 2001, data in Mexico were anecdotal at best and were only recorded during the months of nesting activity at the principal nesting beaches, and then, only when time permitted.

4. Description of item or services required to meet the Agency’s needs (including estimated value):

The contractor will conduct patrols three times per week from the Tepehuajes, Rancho Nuevo, Barra del Tordo, Altamira and La Pesca camps. These patrols cover the prime sectors of the Kemp’s Ridley habitat. GPS location data for each stranding location, as well as detailed biological information on each stranded turtle will be collected. Necropsies will be performed on dead stranded sea turtles when practical and carcass anomalies and potential cause(s) of death will be assessed and reported.

The estimated value of these services for the base year and one additional year is $140,000.

5. List the proposed contractor (name and address) or brand name and describe the unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source (explain why the suggested source is the only source which can provide the supplies or services):

The Gladys Porter Zoo Valley Zoological Society 500 Ringgold St.

Brownsville, TX 7520

The Gladys Porter Zoo, Valley Zoological Society (VZS) has been chosen for this project for the following reasons:

Under the direction of Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield, VZS has operated day to day activities of the bi-national program to protect the Kemp’s ridley nesting beach along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in conjunction with Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de la Pesca (INP) since 1989.

During that time Dr. Burchfield has served as the U.S. Field Assistance Coordinator for the project. He has over 20 years of experience running this camp in close coordination and collaboration with Mexican fishing authorities. He has overseen the establishment of the camp, expansion and improvements at the main camp and satellite camps, and he has directed the daily survey and nest protection activities.

The VZS holds the necessary Mexican, federal, and state permits required to conduct this work. The work cannot be done without these permits in hand.

Dr. Burchfield is a member of the Kemp’s Ridley Working Group, a bi-national group responsible for implementing the recovery plan for this critically endangered species. He is a well-qualified zoologist and herpetologist and serves as Deputy Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo which is operated by the Valley Zoological Society. The geographic location of the Zoo, which is situated in Brownsville, TX on the U.S.-Mexico border, greatly facilitates the operation of this bi-national program. This proximity also enhances the efficiency and cost effectiveness of transporting personnel and equipment to the survey areas in Tamaulipas, Mexico.

6. Describe how the Government will determine the cost to be fair and reasonable:

Award will not be made unless the final negotiated value of this acquisition is determined to be fair and reasonable. This determination will include a technical evaluation by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative and a cost analysis by the Contracting Officer. The contracting officer will review the contractor’s cost proposal and, based on a comparison of the proposed costs to other vendors offering similar services to make a determination of price reasonableness.

7. Description of market research conducted:

A market survey was not conducted as there is sufficient justification to award this contract to a sole-source without full and open competition (see Items 4 and 5 above).

8. Statement of actions, if any, to remove barriers to competition in the future:

N/A

9. Any other facts supporting justification:

None

10. Certification:

Technical/Requirements Personnel:

I certify the requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the facts, representations, and data included in this justification are complete and accurate.

Signature Date

Contracting Officer:

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Signature Date