P06 1100944 SS JA (FY23-FPAC-J045)_Tipping Buckets_1Jun23_ss_Redacted.pdf

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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 snow measurement sites for use in the automated Soil Climate Analysis Network sites (SCAN) network operated by the USDA NRCS Snow Survey Program in the throughout 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 NRCS SCAN program the required data collection platforms from remote SCAN for use in mission critical operations in water supply forecasting and drought prediction for sites in the SCAN Network. These tipping bucket rain gauges, components, and associated parts the only available mechanism to collect remote date form these sites due to their specialized applications in the SCAN system.

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

There is only one manufacturer of the tipping bucket rain gauges and associated components that will integrate with the existing SCAN network: manufactures these components and tipping bucket rain gauge device for proper data retrieval and data collection. has uniquely developed and configured the data retrieval interface for NRCS.

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. At present, the components are the only tipping bucket rain gauges and associated components tested that meet the demands of the SCAN system for quality, linear data for the longevity and quality demanded of such a sensor.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

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The estimated price

6. Recommended source(s).

Certifications

The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete.

Contracting Officer (less than SAT). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.