FAR 8.4 Limited-Sources-Justification_Type 3H Fire Engine Reacquisition - FINAL.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Limited Sources Justification

For an Order/BPA Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

FAR 8.405 Federal Supply Schedules (FSS)

Multiple Award Schedule Program

Control No. (if applicable)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

1a. Requesting Activity Agency: Forest Service, National Fleet Management Program

1b. Contracting Activity: Procurement & Property Services (PPS), National Procurement Operations

(NPO), National Contracts Branch (NCB)

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Forest Service, National Fleet Management Program, proposes to issue a limited source Federal

Supply Schedule (FSS) order on Firm-Fixed basis with HME, Inc.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Provide Type 3H (Heavy) Fire Engine bodies, custom built to Forest Service national standard specifications, and mount on Government-furnished 4X4 cab and chassis. Requirements include delivery of completed units to various locations in AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, NV. Total estimated cost is $4,400,000.00. The Period of Performance is for 18 months from the time of awards with no option years. The current requirement is a replacement order for fire engines.

4. Identification of the authority for limiting sources.

The following circumstance justifies limiting the source under FAR 8.405-6:

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required.

5. Supporting rationale demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

HME, Inc. is the only known vendor to possess the unique ability to provide the Type 3H fire engine body, custom built to Forest Service national standard specifications on the GSA Schedule. They have demonstrated expertise in the manufacturing of wildland fire apparatus and have maintained and improved their skills. HME has successfully produced for the Forest Service Type 3H fire engines through a previous contract. They have the means and capacity to complete these fire engines in a timely manner.

Over the past five (5) years since the Type 3H national standard specifications were established HME, Inc.is the only vendor to establish Type 3H Forest Service specifications on their GSA schedule.

HME, Inc. has successfully met the demands of this requirement and delivery schedules on prior GSA and open market orders.

6. A determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer (CO) that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

The price is determined to be reasonable and represents the best value for the Government, price and other factors considered in accordance with FAR 8.404(d). Additionally, historic prices established from the prior competitive awards were determined fair and reasonable. The estimated price of the current requirement is $4,400,000.00. GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and fixed-price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. To ensure best value the Forest service shall seek additional price reductions to the GSA schedule pricing in accordance with FAR 8.405-4

7. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research included a review of historic acquisition strategies and consideration of known contractor interest in future opportunities. Two consecutive requests for information (RFIs) posted to

GSA for market research purposes revealed limited interest of schedule holders to add the required 3H specifications to their GSA schedule contracts. Current market research and discussions with GSA fleet officers and the USDA GSA Representative has revealed that HME, Inc. is currently the only known schedule holder to possess the unique ability to provide the Type 3H fire engine body, custom built to Forest Service national standard specifications. HME, Inc. possesses the equipment needed for this requirement and has the knowledge and ability to produce 3H engines in accordance with Forest

Service specifications.

8. Any other facts supporting the justification.

The requirement to supply Fire Engines is mission critical, a failure to procure these resources timely would impact government’s ability to provide safety to the American public and wildlife throughout the National Forest System. The resources procured under the resultant contract will provide National

Forest Service fire crews the ability to safely and effectively mitigate damage from wildfire on public land and provide assistance to other federal, tribal, state or local partners in wildfire fighting efforts.

The expeditious build and completion of these fire engines is needed to support wildfire fighting efforts and ensure public safety.

9. A statement of actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

The Government will continue to encourage schedule holders to include the Forest Service National

Standard Specifications in their GSA Schedule Contract. Market research tools, such as sources sought notices and RFI’s, will continue to be leveraged for future needs to identify vendors capable of meeting Forest Service specifications and producing large quantities of fire equipment needed to meet critical schedule demands.

Certifications & Approval

Supporting data which form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Insert Name of Program or Technical Personnel

Insert Title of Program/Technical Personnel

LINDA KEYDENIERS Digitally signed by LINDA KEYDENIERS

Date: 2025.05.05 07:47:30 -07'00'

The information contained in this Limited Sources Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Insert Name of the Contracting Officer

Contracting Officer

Additional Reviews & Approvals

Advocate for competition for the procuring activity (if over $750,000, but not exceeding $15 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, unless additional approvals are required as prescribed below, as advocate for competition for the procuring activity/MASCO, I hereby approve this justification. If required, my approval constitutes clearance for submission to the Head of the Procuring Activity.

Mary Morris

Title: Mission Area Senior Contracting Official (MASCO)

Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition

NICOLE GREEN GREEN

Digitally signed by NICOLE