P06 1040244 JA Campbell_Scientific_Inc_6Jul21_ss.pdf

APPENDIX A

Justification and Approval Document

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION

1. Agency and Contracting Activity USDA-NRCS National Water Climate Center, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd. STE 802 Portland OR. 97232

2. Description of the Action Being Approved The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires electronics components for hydro-meteorological data retrieval. Campbell Scientific, Inc. (CSI) provides these components that meet NRCS Standards and Specifications identified in the General Manual. NRCS requires various electronic components for snow measurement sites for use in the automated SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) network operated by the USDA NRCS Snow Survey Program in the western U.S. The documents included with the solicitation call for supplies that are particular to one contractor. This written justification provides approval for limiting competition to a single source as authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

3. Description of Supplies and/or Services This procurement will provide the NRCS Snow Survey program the required data collection platforms from remote SNOTEL for use in mission critical operations in water supply forecasting and snowpack indexing for sites in the SNOTEL Network. These temperature probes, 14-plate solar radiation shields and associated parts the only available mechanism to collect remote date form these sites due to their specialized applications in the SNOTEL system.

4. Statutory Authority Sole source acquisition of certain commercial items under the test program: (41 USC 428(a); Section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; or FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

a) 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C.253(c)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

b) FAR 13.106-1(b): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, 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.

c) Economy Act of June 30, 1932. Authority provided under the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program is provided in 7 C.F.R. Part 612.

5. Applicability of the Authority There is only one manufacturer of the temperature probes, 14-plate solar radiation and associated components that will integrate with the existing SNOTEL network: Campbell Scientific, Inc. manufacturers these components and temperature probes, 14-plate solar radiation for proper data retrieval and data collection. CSI’s uniquely developed and configured the data retrieval interface for NRCS.

6. Description of Efforts to Obtain Competition

a) Efforts to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable:

At present, the Campbell Scientific components are the only temperature probes, 14-plate solar radiation sensors and associated components tested that meet the demands of the SNOTEL system for quality, linear data for the longevity and quality demanded of such a sensor.

For acquisitions over $25,000 a notice shall be posted on the Government’s Point of Entry, www.fbo.gov unless the exception noted at FAR Part 5.202(a)(13) applies.

7. Determination the Anticipated Price to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable Market research has been conducted to determine that there are NO comparable vendors or products available for purchase and this is the standard of the NRCS Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program.

8. Market Research See Number 6 and cost comparison above.

9. Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition Based on comparisons of design and service rates charged by independent contractors to the cost of, design and service by the NRCS, it is economically in the best interest of the SSWSF Program and NRCS to procure services from Campbell Scientific, Inc.

10. Interested Sources None. Since other vendor services are not compatible with existing configuration and database requirements for NRCS Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program).

11. Barriers to Competition None. Since other vendor services are not compatible with existing configuration and database requirements for NRCS Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program).

12. Technical Requirements Personnel These temperature probes, 14-plate solar radiation are the only type of this telemetry approved by NRCS standards and specifications for use in the SNOTEL and snow survey and water supply forecasting system.

Use of any other approach or services would result data loss and unavailability meaning mission-critical forecasting activities by NRCS could not be accomplished and would not meet published NRCS policy for standards and specifications required.

Requirements or Technical Representative Certification I hereby certify requirements and/or technical supporting data relied upon for this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Michael Strobel USDA – NRCS Name Organization

Director, National Water Climate Center Title

__________________________________ _ June 8, 2021 Signature Date

Contracting Officer’s Certification I hereby certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name Organization Title

Signature

Mr. Kyle L. Heid

Contracting Officer

FPAC-BC