P06 1116751 SS_(FY24-FPAC-J019)_20Dec23_ss_Redacted.pdf

Control No: (if applicable):____________ __

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

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

. Description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

FY24-FPAC-Justification-019

USDA NRCS Oregon State Office 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Ste 900, Portland, OR 97232

The USDA NRCS Oregon Snow Survey needs to obtain the below mix of antifreeze solution. This solution prohibits collected rainfall and snow from freezing in the precipitation gauges and in snow pillows so that continuous measurements of snowpack and precipitation can be made during the winter months. This data is considered critical infrastructure and used in water supply forecasts in the western U.S.

a. 2475 gallons

b. Solution must contain by weight:

> 48.5% propylene glycol > 48.5% denatured alcohol > 3% Tween 20 > Product dyed red

The solution will be packaged in Government owned containers. The vendor is required to pick up the containers at the Oregon Snow Survey facility in Troutdale, OR and deliver back once the containers are filled.

Since the storage containers are Government owned, the vendor is required to pick up the empty containers, transport them to their facility for filling, and transport them back to the Troutdale, OR location. Vendors outside of the area that cannot perform this pick-up and delivery, will require the Government to properly dispose of the empty containers, which causes additional expenses to auction used containers through GSA each year.

In past actions for the purchase of similar mixtures, the selected vendor dropped off the order, which was determined at a later time to be the incorrect chemical mixture. Additionally, the vendors didn't pick up the empty containers to refill as was per the contracts, but provided additional containers. Snow Survey staff do not have the capability to test the chemical composition upon delivery and receiving the incorrect chemical mixture is highly detrimental to operations and data received from hydro-climatic sites that provide water supply forecasting. Consistently using the same vendor establishes a firm relationship that greatly reduces this risk.

has provided the correct mixture year after year and re-use the Government owned containers, thus reducing the risk to the Government.

Due to the logistical requirements referenced in item 3, detailed market research determined previous vendors did not perform adequately, nor did those vendors provide the correct chemical mixture solution. Those vendors were not within the state of Oregon and therefore were not capable of picking up the Government owned containers, refilling them and returning them to the Government location. has provided the correct mixture year after year and have always provided the correct chemical mixture solution. The use of another vendor greatly increases the health and safety of personnel as they don't provide the proper containers, nor provide the proper chemical mixture, which could cause hazardous spills/leaks, thus causing undue hardship for the Government.

Control No: (if applicable):______ ________

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FY24-FPAC-Justification-019