FAR 8 Limited Sources Justification 2024 H-T RAWS PARTS.docx

Limited Sources Justification Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Mission Area United States Department of Agriculture FAR 8.405 Federal Supply Schedules Multiple Award Schedule Program

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

The requisitioning activity for the requirement is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), United States Forest Service (FS), Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Contracting Activity is the United States Forest Service, Procurement & Property Services (PPS) Field Procurement Operations, Intermountain Region.

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

The FS intends to issue a firm-fixed-price delivery order against Forest Technologies Systems (FTS) LTD’s GSA Contract Number GS-07F-9253S for weather station parts (upgrades for existing Remote Automated Weather Stations [RAWS]) at an estimated firm-fixed-price cost of $16,688.06. These parts are required to be NFDRS certified in accordance with NWCG Standards for fire weather stations. The anticipated delivery date is 60 days after receipt of order (ARO).

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

The proposed order is to procure upgraded/replacement components for existing portable RAWS.

Parts estimated value: $27,689.43.

4. The authority and supporting rationale.

The statutory authority permitting limited sources for this requirement is:

1) 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 because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.”

FTS is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the FTS Fixed and Portable “Quick Deploy” Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS). FTS does not employ or contract to any agent, distributor, or service provider within the United States for FTS manufactured products. FTS provides specific characteristics to furnish the unique requirements to meet the NWCG weather station standards for the Forest Service. FTS is the only National Interagency Fire Center/National Fire Danger Rating System certified RAWS weather station manufacturer, and supplier of parts.

Warranty:

The FTS service and field warranty for the existing equipment owned by the Forest Service would be voided and not covered/extended by FTS if used with (i) Products which have been repaired or altered other than by FTS or FTS’ authorized representative and (ii) Products utilized as a component part of another product or equipment assembly.

· FTS has a patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement which limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows: The existing RAWS stations used by the FS Regionally (114 stations) and Nationally (2,698 stations), and the components that allow them to accurately monitor the weather.

· The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current equipment: FTS is the sole provider of RAWS replacement parts and cable parts, dataloggers, transmitters, sensors, sensor parts, and calibration equipment.

· The new RAWS must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system. The ability for FTS sensors and components to be interchangeable and adaptive means agencies can reuse current sensors, creating a savings of thousands of dollars per station. In addition, FTS RAWS sensors and dataloggers utilize a Serial Digital Interface connection, eliminating the need for costly installation software.

· FTS designs and manufactures RAWS specifically intended for use with the National Fire Danger Rating System and exceeds the NWCG weather station Standards (PMS 426-3) on all aspects.

· FTS is 100% compliant on all aspects of PMS 426-3.

· FTS equipment is fully supported by the National Interagency Fire Center.

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

Although GSA-FSS has already determined prices under its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts to be fair and reasonable, the Contracting Officer will ensure the proposed cost to the Government for the supplies or services covered by this justification are evaluated for price reasonableness and the contemplated order represents the best value to the Government. A best value determination will be based on a Government technical evaluation and price analysis of the contractor’s quote, which will include a comparison of the contractor’s quote to the Independent Government Cost Estimate, other quotations, or by comparison to established GSA or other published price lists.

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

The items needed are available on GSA Schedule, also known as Federal Supply Schedule, a governmentwide contract that provides access to millions of commercial products and services at fair and reasonable prices to the government. FTS is the only contractor on GSA with the appropriate items to meet the government’s need.

Company: Forest Technology Systems (FTS) LTD; 1065 Henry Eng Place, Victoria, BC, Canada V9B 6B2

7. Any facts supporting the justification.

The ability for FTS sensors and components to be interchangeable and adaptive means agencies can reuse current sensors, creating a savings of thousands of dollars per station. In addition, FTS RAWS sensors and dataloggers utilize a Serial Digital Interface connection, eliminating the need for costly installation software.

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

Fire and Aviation Management is continually working with USDA to identify if alternative manufacturers are able to meet the NFCG weather station standards for the Forest Service. At this time. FTS is the only NIFC/NFDRS certified RAWS weather station manufacturer/supplier of parts.

Certifications & Approval

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

Aryn Hayden Fuels AFMO, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF

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

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