MFR- Brand Name Source -MWD Food Program Hills Pet Recomp 2.pdf

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

FOR

BRAND NAME HILL�S PET

MWD FOOD PROGRAM

PURCHASE REQUEST NO.: F2MTR15213HG01

Description of action being approved: This document approves the award of a Firm-Fixed Price Blanket Purchase Agreement, on a brand name basis for Hill�s Pet Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog food for the continued MWD food program to support the health, welfare, and operational readiness of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) assigned to the 341st Training Squadron (341 TRS) at Joint Base San Antonio -Lackland, Texas. The requirement consists of recurring purchases of specific Hill's Prescription Diet products, in both dry and wet formulations, prescribed by Army Veterinary Corps Officers on a case-by-case basis for MWDs with medically documented conditions.

Statute and/or Regulation supporting determination: DoDI 6400.04E designates the Secretary of the Army as the Executive Agent for Department of Defense Veterinary Public and Animal Health Services. Army Regulation 40-905, Veterinary Health Services, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-5, establishes that Military Working Dogs will be fed a standard diet unless a special diet is medically required, and that such special diets may only be fed when prescribed by the attending Army Veterinary Corps Officer on a case-by-case basis.

Technical Bulletin Medical (TB MED) 298 establishes nutritional standards for Military Working Dogs and anticipates competition among manufacturers when multiple responsible sources exist that can meet those standards. Competition, however, is contingent upon the availability of responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's minimum requirements at the time of acquisition.

A memorandum dated 3 December 2025 (Authorized Diet Memo - Hills 20251203) from the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service identifies specific Hill's Prescription Diet products as meeting all dietary and nutritional requirements needed to maintain the health and welfare of MWDs housed in the 341 TRS kennels and confirms the importance of sustained availability to ensure continuity of veterinary care.

Agency and Nature/Description of the action being approved: This document approves the award of a bridge Firm-Fixed Price Blanket Purchase Agreement, on a brand name basis for Hill�s Pet Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog food for the continued MWD food program to support the health, welfare, and operational readiness of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) assigned to the 341st Training Squadron (341 TRS) at Joint Base San Antonio -Lackland, Texas. The requirement consists of recurring purchases of specific Hill's Prescription Diet products, in both dry and wet formulations, prescribed by Army Veterinary Corps Officers on a case-by-case basis for MWDs with medically documented conditions.

Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs: This requirement is for the purchase of various types of Hill's Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog food manufactured by Hill's Pet Nutrition in support of the DoD Military Working Dog (MWD) program at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland, TX for the 341 Training Squadron (341 TRS). In accordance with the RFO 12.201-1(e)(3), the anticipated acquisition will be a now a 3 year Firm-Fixed Price between the Government and Small businesses.

This is a follow-on contract for FA301621A0039 BPA which expires on 18 April 2026. The BPA was originally awarded on 17 April 2021 to Hill's Pet Nutrition Sales Inc. with a master limit amount of $5,100,100.00.

**Acquistion plans has changed from sole source; other than full and open competition to Name Brand, 100% Total Small Business set-aside. Hill's Pet rejected award proposal due to company inconvenience to agreement on a BPA.

Total aggregate value has changed from $546,430.00 to $327,858.00.

Award proposal has changed from a 5-year to 3-year Blanket Purchase Agreement.

Rationale: This will be a decentralized BPA with a 3-year ordering period and shall require an approved pricing list supplied by Awardees. This will allow for multiple purchases being made during the three-year agreement without risking any down time or additional costs associated with delivery issues, damaged products and annual administrative actions.

PART 6 - Competition Requirements - Authority: RFO 6.103-5(b)(2), Authorized or required by statute. Agencies may contract without providing for full and open competition when the agency's need is for a brand-name commercial product for authorized resale. This authority does not include other uses of brand name descriptions that generally preclude full and open competition and are required to be addressed in accordance with 6.103-1(d). DpDO 6400.04E identifies the Secretary of the Army as the Executive Agent for the DoD Veterinary Public and Animal Health Services and AR 40-905 Veterinary Health Services, Chapter 5 para 5-5.

Diet and weight management, dictates that special diets (food other than the standard MWD) diet may be fed to individual MWDs only if prescribed by the attending Army VCO, on a case-by-case basis. Certain Hill's Pet Nutrition products may be commercially available through limited third-party channels, while simultaneously meeting mandatory delivery timelines, shelf-life constraints, emergency response capability, veterinary approval conditions, and quality assurance requirements. This will be a brand name requirement.

RFO Part 12 - Acquisition Of Commercial Products and Commercial Services: The supplies required under this acquisition are commercial products as defined in RFO 2.101 and are customarily used by the general public for non-governmental purposes. In accordance with RFO Part 12, the Government may acquire commercial products using commercial practices while still complying with applicable competition requirements. Although the items are commercial in nature, the Government's minimum requirements, including delivery within seven days, emergency delivery within 48 hours, strict manufacture-date limitations, replacement of contaminated or damaged goods, and continuity of veterinary-approved diets, significantly limit the pool of responsible sources.

This acquisition complies with RFO Parts 6 and 12. RFO Part 6 governs the competition determination and supports the use of Full and Open Competition, 100% total small business set-aside under RFO 6.103-5. RFO Part 12 authorizes the acquisition of commercial products using commercial practices and does require full and open competition where the requirement is strictly brand name per market research. Collectively, these authorities support the establishment of a BPA, preferred to three awardees based on market research, capability, and risk considerations.

Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition: This requirement is only a brand name source and does not limit competition to other than full and open competition. This requirement is being solicited as a 100% total small business set-aside. Market research shows as the requirement is considered commercial, commercial vendors offer the items that the agency requires.

Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: It is in the best interest of the Government to award a brand name, blanket purchase agreement as justified. Market research concludes to the commerciality of the requirement. Price reasonableness of a resulting award will be determined IAW RFO 12.204(a) and D-RFO 212.204(a).

Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition: This requirement is intended to be Brand Name source, as a result of DoDI 6400.04E designates the Secretary of the Army as the Executive Agent for Department of Defense Veterinary Public and Animal Health Services. Army Regulation 40-905, Veterinary Health Services, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-5, establishes that Military Working Dogs will be fed a standard diet unless a special diet is medically required, and that such special diets may only be fed when prescribed by the attending Army Veterinary Corps Officer on a case-by-case basis.

Technical Bulletin Medical (TB MED) 298 establishes nutritional standards for Military Working Dogs and anticipates competition among manufacturers when multiple responsible sources exist that can meet those standards. Competition, however, is contingent upon the availability of responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's minimum requirements at the time of acquisition.

A memorandum dated 3 December 2025 from the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service identifies specific Hill's Prescription Diet products as meeting all dietary and nutritional requirements needed to maintain the health and welfare of MWDs housed in the 341 TRS kennels and confirms the importance of sustained availability to ensure continuity of veterinary care.

In the future, and upon expiration, this requirement will be executed using the maximum extent possible to gain competition.

Approving Authority:

BELINDA B. TINDAL, GS-13, DAF

Contracting Officer