jofoc.docx

Justification for Name Brand

1. Contracting Activity NEA Acquisitions

2. Nature/Description of Action This purchase is to secure water, temperature, and humidity sensors with data acquisition logger systems for an on-farm research network led by USDA-ARS.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Acclima Inc. a sensor and data logger company that specializes in water sensors and data collection systems. This purchase is for 1,040 soil moisture, 38 temperature, 38 temperature humidity sensors, and their data acquisition system of 60 gateway 915 and 145 node system. These are the precise sensors and data loggers (nodes and gateways) that are currently being used in a 90 on-farm research project. We have expanded the network and need this increased water, temperature, and humidity monitoring systems to cover the expanded number of farms (60).

4. Statutory Authority The authority for Name Brand other than full & open competition is pursuant to 41, U.S.C. 252(c)(1) as contemplated by AR 6.302-1(a), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Demonstration of Contractor’s Unique Qualifications and/or Product’s Unique Features We specifically request this configuration and company of soil moisture, temperature, and humidity sensors and data acquisition system as it is already being deployed in 90 farms across the US. We have custom designed all of the data flow and analytical systems around this specific technology. No other solution would be compatible with our national network of 150 farms. We would not be able to conduct this research and capture the data unless all technology is precisely the same

6. Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Announcement/Potential Sources No soliciting of other sources was completed. We can only conduct this research with the technology created by this company.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

8. Market Survey Historically several sensor companies were examined. None had the configurations needed for our on-farm research. Now that we have already assembled a large inventory of this technology and customized our programming for data flow, we have to continue to use this precise product.

9. Additional Support The sensor technology developed by this company matches the precise data logger systems we custom designed and is now fabricated by the company. They are essentially manufacturing our designs which are already being used across the on-farm research network.

10. Other Interested Sources No other companies are marketing this product that matches our database system and method for automated analysis. We would have to completely reconfigure our systems to support other technology and this would result in costs greater than the purchase of this hardware.

11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition We do not anticipate purchasing more sensor and data loggers for this project.

12. Certifications Requirements/Program Office:

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

Steven Mirsky, Research Ecologist, July 22, 2020

Contracting Officer:

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

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