FAR_13_-_Sole_Source_-_Brand_Name.doc

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: National Weather Service (NWS), National Logistics Support Center (NLSC)

2. Procurement Request Number:

NWWJ0000-15-04008

NWWJ0000-15-04007

NWWJ0000-15-04021

3. Description of Action being Approved: Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order

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

The following Scala Brand products are required to meet the NWS, NLSC needs:

Shipping

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):

Brand Name: Scala Division of Kathrein Inc.

555 Airport Rd.

Medford, OR 97504

Point of Contact: Don Bennett 541-618-5189 All of the required products are proprietary to Scala. As a result, substitutes are not available. The Bracket, Tower Mounting, Set of Four Power Dividers to Antenna Cables, One Degree Down-Tilt, Half-Wave Dipole, and Set of Four Power Divider to Antenna Cables, Zero Degree Down-Tilt are all required because all spare assemblies must have identical form, fit, and function to the item provided with the original equipment. The original equipment was subject to a stringent qualification test regime which included operational testing, field testing, and environmental qualification testing. Acceptance of any other item other than the Scala brand would require additional extensive testing, which would cost a significant amount of money and time. Acceptance of any item other than the original equipment would require that testing be completely re-accomplished. This is not acceptable, as it would require significant funding and time to accomplish and would result in fielded NOAA Weather Radio systems being unavailable during the period. For this reason, only Kathrein Inc., Scala Division brand is deemed the only viable option for NOAA Weather Radio to successfully perform operations.

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

Since there are numerous distributors of the Scala Brand, orders issued under this limited sources justification represent the best value to the government as the agreed to prices will be based upon competitive quotes received from authorized resellers of the manufacturer in a competitive environment. Therefore, the price paid will represent the best value and result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the needs of the government.

7. Description of market research conducted:

Because of the proprietary nature of this product, market research is not applicable. All spares for this system are required to be identical to the item which was provided with the original equipment. It is not possible to substitute for this item; any logistical spares must be form, fit, and function identical to the original equipment item.

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

The NWS will continue to research other options for spare assemblies that have identical form, fit, and function to the Scala Brand original equipment.

9. Any other facts supporting justification:

N/A