P06 1029333 JA Snow Sensors R1_16Mar21_s.pdf

USDA

w United States Department of A�riculture

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding $250K)

Snow Survey Sensor Refurbish, Boise, ID

1. Contracting Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Snow Survey, Boise, ID

2. Description of Action: The NRCS proposes to procure by means of other than full and open competition, the refurbishment of sonic snow depth sensors to use at SNOTEL sites in Idaho, Washington, Nevada, and Wyoming.

3. Description: The mission of NRCS is "Helping People Help the Land." The NRCS vision:

"Productive Lands--Healthy Environment." Our National Water and Climate Center's (NWCC) mission is "To lead the development and transfer of water and climate information and technology which support natural resource conservation," with a vision of the future as "A globally recognized source for a top quality spatial snow, water, climate, and hydro-logic network of information and technology." The functions of the NWCC are natural resource planning and support to the states regarding data acquisition and management, technology innovation, partnerships and joint ventures, as well as technology transfer. The NRCS installs, operates, and maintains an extensive automated system designed to collect snow-pack and related climatic data in the Western United States and Alaska. This system, called SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) operates approximately 800 remote sites in mountain snow-packed zones. The modem SNOTEL network also serves climate studies, air and water quality investigations, fire management, flood control, and endangered species habitat monitoring. The high-elevation watershed locations, broad coverage, and real-time operation of the network provide important data to researchers, river and reservoir managers, emergency managers for natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and for power generation. To this end, scientific and electronic equipment, parts and supplies are required to properly conduct these studies and experiments.

4. Needs: The USDA NRCS Snow Survey needs to have existing sonic snow depth sensors refurbished to the new 'standards for use' in order to take accurate and critical snow depth measurements at SNOTEL sites.

5. Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for a simplified acquisition is FAR 13.106-l(b)(l): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available ( e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

6. Applicability of Authority: There are 120 SNOTEL sites spanning the states ofldaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Washington and each site has snow depth sensors. Judd Communications are the manufacturer of the current snow sensors in the agency inventory and are the only authorized maintenance dealer for the proprietary snow sensors. These units are installed in remote locations and are an essential measurement in the SNOTEL network. Getting the sensors refurbished in lieu of purchasing new sensors, saves unnecessary costs for possible training with the new sensors and any additional costs of tuning the sensors to the existing network of equipment.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The estimated value of this action does not meet the thresholds set forth in FAR 5.202 and is exempt from synopsizing in accordance with FAR 5.202(13Xi) The proposed contract action - is for an amount not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

8. Fair and Reasonable Price: I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge, the-anticipated price of the·refurbished sensors has been determined fair and reasonable.

9. Market Survey: The sonic �now depth sensors must work in varying temperatures ranging from -40 to +40 degrees C; must operate on l2VDC systems; have a low power draw of <l20ma; must be analog or SDI outputs; must be able to measure between 1-3 meters and have accuracy of 1cm or better.

10. Interested Sources: No other interested resources were contacted at the time of quote submission.

11. Further Competition: Should the need arise for new snow depth sensors to replace outdated and antiquated sensors, a solicitation will be posted for any/all small businesses capable of providing this equipment to submit a quote/proposal as outlined in the FAR when appropriate and applicable.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

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

Technical Representative

Date: 3/ 16/21

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

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

Mr. Kyle L. Heid

Contracting Officer

FPAC-BC, Ft. Worth Tx