JOFOC Greenfeed_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Midwest Area 1815 N University Street Peoria, IL 61604 Debora Wells – Contract Specialist debora.wells@usda.gov

2. Nature/Description of Action The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service has a requirement to purchase three (3) turn-key systems to measure gas fluxes. The contractor shall be required to deliver, install, and provide training on the three (3) systems. The system locations are:

Unit 1:

U.S. High Plains Grasslands Research Station 8408 Hildreth Road Cheyenne, WY 82009-8899

Unit 2:

U.S. Meat Animal Research Center 844 Rd 313 Clay Center, NE 68933-0166

Unit 3:

U.S. Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research 2615 Yellowstone Drive Marshfield, WI 54449-0000

3. Description of Supplies/Services These systems shall be designed to measure gas fluxes of Methane (CH4), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and optionally, Oxygen (O2), and Hydrogen (H2) units based on each unit requirements specified in Section 3. Particularly, these systems allow for individual measurements of enteric Green House Gases (GHG) from cattle being housed and fed in pasture-based management systems.

The system will have the capability to dispense a concentrated feed to animal to entice them to remain in the unit while gas samples are being collected over a three-to-five-minute time period. Power source requirements include solar and electric to allow use

JOFOC

24Q0052 GREENFEED

of the system in a variety of climates. Certain ARS locations require systems with heated lines that are capable of gas collection in below freezing temperatures. Also, certain systems will require dual hoppers so multiple feeds to test experimental treatments can be fed. These systems must be compatible with existing pasture units.

This will improve data collection around enteric greenhouse gas (GHG) research and improving model estimates of enteric GHG inventories through contributions from pasture and rangeland system. Individual animal enteric GHG from grazing systems is limited and a primary area in need of equipment investments that meet certain specifications.

Statutory Authority In accordance with

Demonstration of Contractor’s Unique Qualifications and/or Product’s Unique Features Due to its versatility, gas measuring capabilities, and ability to deliver feed additives for enteric methane research, the Greenfeed system is currently utilized across the majority of ARS locations and research institutions involved in ruminant research (dairy, beef, young animal) and across multiple management settings (grazing, pasture, rangeland, confinement).

The Greenfeed system will give USDA the unique ability to analyze methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen and hydrogen gas measurements animal-side in their common pasture or rangeland environment, to reduce stress to capture these gas measurements. The Greenfeed will provide versatility of methane measurements in the animal’s particular pasture environment. Open-circuit and traditional respiration chambers are not functional in a pasture environment, or the capability of measuring a greater number of animals that the Green-Feed unit possesses (4 with respiration vs. 25+ animals with Greenfeed). The unique features for Greenfeed units in a pasture environments make the ability of the equipment to operate in real-world environments, from cold to warm, across multiple terrains. The additional features of the sensors also allows the estimation of respiratory outputs and better insight into metabolic pathways associated with methane (e.g. hydrogen add-on). Other systems are not versatile enough to meet all the data requirements and will not be compatible with the data generated from the preexisting Greenfeed systems already in use.

ARS is currently using 20 Greenfeed units for ongoing enteric methane research including testing feed additives, diet composition, physiological state of animals, forage type and composition, grazing management, and animal behavior for both beef and dairy cattle.

Lock is the sole manufacturing and seller of this product.

System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Announcement/Potential Sources Sources Sought Notice was published on SAM.gov on 2 February 2024 with a response date of 13 February 2024 which resulted in one response. C-Lock Inc, a Small Business responded on 12 February 2024.

Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost An independent Government Estimate was prepared prior to submission of the requirements package, with an estimate price o Ideally, this will be used to determine price reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi). If price reasonableness cannot be determined from a comparison between the quote received and the Government estimate, other techniques will be used including obtaining data other than certified cost and pricing data in accordance with FAR 1 . -3.

Market Survey The requiring agency conducted market surveys by conducting literature review to identify methane and gas measuring equipment for animal-side use. C-Lock GreenFeed is commonly cited and is the only piece of equipment of its kind in the market for use to monitor enteric greenhouse gas emissions from grazing animals on pasture.

Additional Market Research was done by the Contracting Office and found a previous Purchase Order 12805B23P0432 was awarded to C-Lock, Inc. on 1 Sep 2023. NAICS Code 334516 / PSC Code 6640. Sole Source. $ 216,161.02. Additional searches of Google and SAM.gov did not result in finding other contractors that are able to fulfill this requirement.

Additional Support No other information can be provided. C-Lock is the sole manufacturing and seller of this product.

Other Interested Sources The only response from the Sources Sought Notice received was from C-Lock Inc. No other interested or capable sources were found with market research by the end user or contracting office.

Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition Market research will be ongoing and the Government is looking for alternatives to meet the need and will compete if at all possible in the future.

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.