J_A_140L5720C0003_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

https://www.blm.gov

April 7, 2025

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES

This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by 13.106-1(b)(1) & (2).

1. Contracting agency and activity.

The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Utah State Office, 440 W 200 S, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101.

2. Nature and/or description of action being approved.

Contract 140L5720C0003 provides veterinarian services for the Wild Horse and Burro (WH&B) wild horses and burros held at the two Off-Range Corrals (ORCs) located in Axtell, UT for a 12-month base period plus four (4) 12-month option periods and expires on May15, 2025. The requested contract action is for a three-month extension of the current contract to allow adequate time for a competitive follow-on acquisition without lapse of service. FAR clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract was included in the solicitation but was not priced and evaluated prior to award.

3. Description of supplies or services.

The purpose of this contract is to obtain veterinary services for the BLM’s wild horse and burros protected, managed, and controlled under provisions of the Wild Horse and Burro (WH&B) Act of December 15, 1971, as amended (16 US. 1331-1340). This contract extension will provide continued services for a three-month period. The primary objective of this contract is to provide veterinarian services to wild horses and burros on an “as needed” basis at the two Axtell ORC’s, located in Axtell, Utah.

4. Estimated dollar value.

The estimated amount for the three-month extension is anticipated to be one-fourth of the current option year: $49,718.75. As these are professional services, Service Contract Labor Standards do not apply.

5. Statutory authority.

__X__41 U.S.C. 1901 – Simplified acquisition procedures (use when the simplified procedures for purchases of property and services for amounts (1) not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold

____41 U.S.C 1903 – Special emergency procurement authority (applies when in support of a contingency operation as defined in section 101(a) of title 10 or to facilitate the defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack against the United States).

6. Rationale supporting use of the authority stated in paragraph 5.

https://www.blm.gov/

Peterson DVM has been performing the vet services successfully since the time of award. Given the unique service required on BLM administered facilities located in Axtell, UT. Peterson DVM has the expertise, equipment, and the familiarity of the requirements to ensure services continue without a lapse of coverage.

7. Other information.

A decision to not select and extend the contract for a three-month period would be disadvantageous to the Government. The time to award a new service contract is expected to take several months, based on the lead time to update the SOW with shorthanded staffing issues, solicitation timeframe, review of proposals, selection, start date, etc. As this contract supports the WH&B program a lapse in service would be detrimental to the equine and burros in the BLMs care.

8. The efforts to identify additional sources including the market research conducted.

Market research was not conducted for this intended action. Adequate market research will be conducted for the follow-on requirement.

9. Future plans to permit competition.

Utah State Office plans to issue a small business competitive acquisition during the three (3) month extension for the follow-on contract.

10. The ordering activity Contracting Officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer’s knowledge and belief and evidence that the supporting data that form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by technical/program personnel.

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

//Signature on File//_________________ Heath Weber

WH&B Specialist (Facilities) Contracting Officer’s Representative

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

//Signature on File//_________________ Tori Blunt-Mayes Contracting Officer