JFOC.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Justification and Approval – Unusual and Compelling Urgency Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Spray Box tp Support PR Cattle Fever Tick Mitigation Program

Section 1: Limited Sources Justification

1.1 Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity

Requesting Agency:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) 4700 River Road Riverdale, MD 20737

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS

Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD) Procurement Branch

4700 River Road Riverdale, MD 20737

1.2 The Nature and/or Description of the Action to Meet the Agency’s Need

1.3 Rational or Circumstances for Limiting Competition

To mitigate the spread of Cattle Fever Tick in PR, we reached out to the CFTEP on the spray boxes they have in Texas.

They purchased 2 of the same trailers in 2022. It has been determined that the specifications utilized for those trailers are the same needed for PR. By quickly mitigating this disease we would be able reduce the affect on trade activity with an ultimate goal of increasing the exports for the Territory. With this company already building the trailers to the specifications, delays and issues would be greatly reduced.

On November 26, 2024, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) detected ticks on 6 of 79 cattle imported from PR. Since this time, FDACS restricted importation of all cattle from PR into Florida. FiOps-PR manages the pre-export isolation activities for cattle, including checking animals for ticks (“scratching”) and overseeing acaricidal treatment of the cattle, each twice within 7 days prior to export. Implementing a new strategy is necessary to prevent new incursions and allow for cattle imports from PR to resume. Florida is the only interstate market for cattle from PR.

Analysis: Implementing a new treatment protocol will reopen the interstate movement of cattle for PR with a positive impact on the economy. With the approval of a new tick protocol for FiOps-PR, it is possible the Territory could increase cattle exports, thus expanding trade activity for PR. It was a determined the purchase of a spray box to distribute acaricidal treatments topically over animals’ bodies was needed.

The contracts needed to be awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures FAR 13.5 using the unusual and compelling authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b) (2) to obtain an immediate contractor response. In accordance with FAR 13.501 acquisitions conducted under the simplified acquisition procedures are exempt from FAR part 6, however this justification is prepared in accordance with FAR part 6.

1.4 Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results or a Statement of the Reason Market Research was not Conducted

Market research was conducted for potential sources. Upon identifying these same trailers were purchased in 2022, we contacted the Cattle Fever Tick program in Texas to identify potential sources. It was determined that only 1 vendor bid for this contract. We reached out to the vendor and they agreed to provide a quote for

W-W Manufacturing Co INC 8832 State Highway 54 Thomas OK, 73669

I researched on line and could not find a comparable box with the needed specifications. The closest I could find was spray races that cattle walk through, but these were not contained and controlled spraying Because of the needed response time it wasn’t possible to go through the standard market research process as would be done with non-emergency acquisitions.

1.5 Estimated Price Including all Options if Applicable

The estimated value of the contract would be $139,500 which includes an estimated $15000 to ship and deliver to the location in Puerto Rico. Original costs for these delivered to Texas in 2022 was $95,000. Each award issued to date as well as any future awards anticipated will be issued under Simplified Acquisition Procedures with an award price less than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000.00.

The contracting officer performed price analysis to verify the pricing is fair and reasonable.

1.6 Recommended Sources

W-W Manufacturing Co INC 8832 State Highway 54 Thomas OK, 73669

There are no other recommended sources and no sources expressed an interest in this acquisition.

Section 2: Certifications and Approvals

Certifications & Approvals

The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete as acknowledged by the affixed signature.

2.1 Program or Technical Personnel

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

2.2 Contracting Officer

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

AVIC PR