FAR 13 Single Source or Brand Name Justification Less Than SAT v2 6-12-2024.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Agency Name USDA Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office

Contracting Activity USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (BC) Acquisitions Division (AD)

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

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is responsible for providing technical soils information to a variety of internal and external customers. This requires NRCS soil scientists to complete on-site soils investigations in a variety of landscapes and landforms settings and a wide range of soil parent materials. The Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office has a requirement to purchase and install one Giddings 25-SCS Truck Mount Coring/Drilling Machine.

The soil probes need to meet the specifications, in having the ability to collect intact / undisturbed soil cores at depths to approximately 20 feet.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

NRCS is required to complete on-site soils investigations to meet the needs of internal and external customers. This requires individual soil scientists to access field sites across Missouri and collect soil samples and to document soil profile characteristics. To meet these charges, NRCS uses mechanical soil sampling equipment that can be easily transported to a variety of in-field settings, and safely operated by one person. The mechanical soil sampling equipment must be capable of all the following: 1. Collect undisturbed, intact (core) samples up to 3 inches in diameter; 2. Collect undisturbed, intact (core) samples to depths of at least 7 feet; 3. Collect rotary (auger) samples up to 3 inches in diameter; and 4.

Collect rotary (auger) samples to depths of at least 20 feet.

Minnesota NRCS already operates four Giddings 25-SCS machines and has parts and an inventory of tools that are specific to the existing Giddings equipment. Continuing to use Giddings equipment will allow the agency to save money by using existing tools to allow for consistency in operation of equipment across the state and region as employees share and borrow the same equipment, as well as narrowing the training needed to new hires instead of all soils staff. Additionally, other soil probes available in the commercial marketplace do not meet the specifications of Giddings 25-SCS machines of having the ability to collect intact / undisturbed soil cores at depths to approximately 20 feet. This soil sample specification is critical to the overall success of NRCS’s mission.

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

Market Research was conducted as follows: Search of the GSA Library, it was found that the Giddings Soil Probe is not available on GSA or within a GSA Schedule. Additionally, with a general search on the internet, other soil probes were found, such as the Amity Technology Line of Soil Samplers and the DFP Soil Probe. However, none of the other soil probes met the specifications, in having the ability to collect intact / undisturbed soil cores at depths to approximately 20 feet. Other soil probes were limited to depths of 24 – 32 inches, which is not acceptable.

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

The total price estimate for the purchase of one Giddings 25-SCS Truck Mount Coring/Drilling Machine, installation and training included, is *********.

6. Recommended source(s).

Giddings Machine Company, Inc.

631 Technology Circle Windsor, Colorado 80550-3126 United States

Giddings Machine Company, Inc. is the only source capable of satisfying the Government’s requirement.

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.

State Conservation Engineer USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service

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.

Pedro Arritola-Vazquez Contracting Officer