P06 1125677 JA SS (FY24-FPAC-J052) Under SAT_9Apr24__Redacted.pdf

Control No: (if applicable):FY24-FPAC-Justification-052

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA-NRCS Oregon State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd. STE 900, Portland OR. 97232

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

The USDA NRCS Oregon State Office Snow Survey requires repair services for 6 storage precipitation gages. Precipitation gages are a fundamentally critical component of the measurement of annual precipitation at SNOTEL sites. The data collected by the precipitation gages are an integral component of many publicly-accessed products that the snow survey program maintains. Gages being provided vary in height from 12' to 24', the Snow Survey will provide transportation of the gages. Six (6) precipitation gages that are in various states of disrepair, will be provided to the vendor by USDA.

These gages are not standard off-the-shelf equipment and have specific engineering design requirements to meet NRCS standards and specifications (210-VI-NEH Appendix 8G Fig. 8G-6); they are custom fabricated items specific to the snow survey and water supply forecasting program. No other agency (state, local, or federal) uses this exact design. The materials to repair the gages to specification are not commonly held in welding or fabrication shops, specifically the color of the coating and thickness of the metal are not commonly stocked at metal fabrication shops. Additionally, testing of the coating material and quality of the weld, commonly referred to as hydrostatic testing, will be conducted to ensure the repair can withstand harsh environments without failure. The equipment required to perform the hydrostatic testing is not commonly found outside of industrial-scale fabrication environments. The combination of uncommon materials and hydrostatic testing requirement justify limiting competition in the procurement of repair services.

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

Market research was conducted and several vendors that could provide custom metal fabrication services were contacted, but none of them were available to repair the items in para 2 above. Additionally, the hydrostatic testing process, not being commonly used in the commercial marketplace nor are there vendors capable of providing the process outside of the industrial scale fabrication environments.

Additional market research revealed that prospective vendors that were contacted are outside of the local area and are either not willing nor are they interested in completing this work. Based on the lack of interested vendors located during the market research phase, there is one (1) vendor willing and capable of completing the requirements needed to repair the equipment.

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

$18,000.00

Certifications & Approval

[Z] The info1mation provided for this justification has been reviewed and ce1tified 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.

Control No: (if applicable):FY24-FPAC-Justification-052