P06 1089725 FY23-FPAC-J012 JA SS under SAT_FAR13_106_3Feb23_ss_Redacted.pdf

Control No. (if applicable) FY23-FPAC-Justification 012

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA-NRCS National Water & Climate Center, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd. STE 802, Portland OR. 97232

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires electronics components for hydrometeorological data retrieval. provides these components that meet NRCS Standards and Specifications identified in the General Manual. NRCS requires various electronic components for precipitation and climate measurement sites for use in the automated SCAN (Soil Climate Analysis Network) operated by the USDA NRCS across the 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).

This procurement will provide the required data collection platforms for SCAN use in mission critical operations in climate and drought monitoring. This Sole Source covers Vaisala HMP 155 Temperature and Relative Humidity Probes, and are currently the only air temperature/humidity sensors tested and approved for installation at SCAN weather stations.

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

Currently, is the only known vendor of the Vaisala HMP 155 temperature and relative humidity sensor with specific cable attributes that is also listed as a GSA vendor. At this time, there are no other vendors which offer the ability to customize cable lengths and offer pre-tinned wires for the specific needs of SCAN weather stations. Sensors must meet the specific requirements and be approved for use in as outlined in the NRCS SCAN Standards and Specifications Guide. Items listed on GSA Advantage do not meet the specific needs (cable lengths, cable wiring size, connections) of the SCAN network. As such, it is in the best interest to order the equipment from

4. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

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 SCAN Program. The Vaisala HMP 155 Temperature and Relative Humidity Probe sold by is the only type of these sensors with specific cable attributes approved by NRCS standards and specifications for use in the SCAN network. Use of any other approach or services would result data loss and unavailability meaning mission-critical data collection activities by NRCS could not be accomplished and would not meet published NRCS policy for standards and specifications required.