FAR-13--Brand-Name-Justification-Less-Than-SAT-Nov-2024 1148617 KM LH.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions Control No. 12405B25Q0099

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

1a. Requesting Activity Agency: USDA, ARS, CHPRR 1b. Contracting Activity: USDA, ARS, SEA

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Mississippi State houses various agricultural research units at the Building 1, Harned Building at 150 Twelve Lane and houses Poultry Research unit at Building 12, 606 Spring Street, MS State, MS 39762. Both of these buildings were built in the 1960’s and originally contained a mixture of incandescent and florescent lighting fixtures. There is an aggregate total of approximately 735 interior, exterior, and parking lot lighting fixtures at the two buildings. In the following years, lighting updates on approximately 100 fixtures have been made at various locations throughout both buildings therefore there is currently a mix of LED lighting is scattered throughout. The purpose of this project is to perform a comprehensive LED lighting update on all fixtures (approximately

635) that aren’t already converted to LED lighting and install occupancy sensors in selected rooms.

Additionally, there are low mast pole mounted roadway lighting fixtures that are already LED but need replacement as a part of this project so that the lighting color is consistent with the rest of the USDA campus as well as the Mississippi State University campus.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The University requires that we work to maintain consistency with the visual aesthetics. The specified American Electric Lighting Autobahn series is the roadway and parking lot lighting unit that is used throughout the entire Mississippi State Campus. Specifying these units will provide visual consistency in aesthetics, lighting intensity, and light color with the rest of campus. The Green Creative numbers are there for information only to ensure that products provided will be similar to these items.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

A web seardh shows that the desired products from Autobahn and Green Creative are available from multiple sources. These are the brands that the University is currently using. The Statement of Work (SOW) shows a list of products desired.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated cost from the IGCE is $123,081.00.

6. Recommended source(s).

Any source that can provide the products listed on the SOW and install them would be acceptable.

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Kevin Magee SEA General Engineer

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Insert Name of Contracting Officer Contracting Officer

Notes and Guidance. Delete these Notes prior to finalizing document for signature

For acquisitions greater than the micro-purchase threshold but less than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) the Contracting Officer may solicit from one source only if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, etc.). Contracting Officers must document the rationale for soliciting from a single source, including brand name in accordance with FAR 13.106- 1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i).

Program personnel are advised to work with contracting personnel early on in order to promote and provide for full and open competition to the maximum extent practicable. In circumstances permitting other than full and open competition, program personnel shall provide necessary information to contracting personnel to support and document the circumstances limiting competition through the use of this form

Advance planning. Contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of (1) a lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or (2) concerns related to the amount of funds available to the agency or activity for the acquisition of supplies or services.

Brand Name. Items peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer. Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the Agency’s needs.

Posting. When an acquisition contains brand name specifications, the Contracting Officer shall include the justification required by FAR 13.106-1(b) or 13.501 with the solicitation when synopsizing in the GPE (actions exceeding $25,000) or displaying in a public place (actions exceeding $15,000 but not expected to exceed $25,000), as required by FAR 5.102(1)(6).

Screening. Before posting the justification, in accordance with FAR 6.305(e) and 24.202, the Contracting Officer is responsible to redact any information that is exempt from disclosure under Freedom of Information Act or information proprietary to the contractor.

Signatures. After review and completion by the Program Office and Contracting Officer, the Word document shall be converted to an Adobe PDF file and routed for electronic signatures. Signature blocks shall include dates.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_106_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501