J-9_Brand_Name_Justification_Ranger_IV_Honda.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CONTRACTING OPERATIONS - STRATEGIC

1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240

Justification for Brand Name Products

Date: 7/18/2025

Project: Justification for Use of Honda Outboard Engines in the Ranger IV Rescue Boats

Identifications Agency: National Park Service Contracting Office: Contracting Operations Strategic

Description of the action being approved:

The National Park Service (NPS) will solicit bids for the construction of the new build vessel, Ranger IV, which is a Logistics and Passenger Vessel intended to replace the aging Ranger III serving Isle Royale National Park. The solicitation documents specify a particular brand name product that is unique to a single manufacturer. This written justification seeks approval to restrict competition to the specified brand name products as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

Description of supplies and services:

The Ranger IV will be equipped with two motorized rescue boats, which are requested to have Honda brand selected for their outboard motors. This specification is crucial for operational efficiency and consistency within the Park's existing fleet.

Authority:

• 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

• FAR Part 11.105: The Brand Name products are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products do not meet and cannot be modified to meet the agency’s needs.

• FAR 6.302-1: The use of the name brand products are essential to the Government’s requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

The description of the product’s unique qualifications or the unique nature of the acquisition:

Isle Royale National Park operates a fleet consisting of 45-50 outboard-powered vessels crucial for transportation across the park.

Honda outboard motors have been uniformly utilized for all vessels within this fleet, resulting in a streamlined training and service protocol for park staff. The park’s technicians are certified Honda mechanics, and the team has invested significantly in the proprietary Honda diagnostic software and tools. Switching to another brand could lead to substantial increases in operational costs due to the need for new equipment, training, and software, which would undermine fiscal efficiency within the boat shop operations.

Efforts to obtain competition:

a. Efforts to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable:

For acquisitions over $25,000 the solicitation will be issued on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov.

b. Presolicitation notice per FAR 5.2:

For acquisitions over $25,000 a presolicitation notice shall be posted on the Government’s Point of Entry, sam.gov unless the exception noted at FAR Part 5.202(a)(13) applies.

Determination that costs will be fair & reasonable:

The rescue boats offered are complete packages that meet Coast Guard requirements. Dealers typically provide various engine options, allowing comparisons with similar non-Honda equipped packages to ensure competitive pricing for the Government.

Description of the market research conducted:

Market research into alternative outboard motor manufacturers has confirmed that the associated costs for technician training, necessary software, and proprietary tools for servicing different brands would place an undue financial burden on the Government.

Other facts supporting other than full & open competition:

c. Reason why documents suitable for full & open competition have not been developed:

The existing proprietary software, tools, and training requirements associated with servicing alternative outboard motors limit the availability and effectiveness of the solutions from other manufacturers.

d. Data, estimated costs or other rationale as to the extent or harm to the Government:

Utilization of alternative brands would incur additional annual software licensing costs of approximately: additional annual software license approximately $2000, additional $2000 one-time proprietary tool purchase and $4000-$5000 for training and travel for mechanics.

Interested Sources:

The rescue boat will be part of the solicitation for the Ranger IV Vessel, and the specified brand helps maintain operational synergy throughout the fleet.

Actions to remove barriers to competition in the future for similar acquisitions:

Given the unique operational requirements and existing systems, this will be an isolated situation and is not anticipated to be a frequent occurrence.

Certifications:

Technical / Requirements Certification:

I certify that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (i.e. verifying the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate:

Name:

Title:

Up to $50,000

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer

Reviewed/Concur/Approved by: (exceeding $250,000)

Center Chief of Contracting Operations Strategic