P06 - JOFOC.pdf

Template for Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition, February 2019

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition United States Department of Agriculture

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Mississippi State Office.

Contracting Activity: USDA, Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (BC), Acquisitions Division, Operations Branch, Section 1.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

USDA, NRCS, Mississippi has a need to enter into a negotiated, sole-source contract with Navigation Electronics, Inc. (NEI) to purchase Trimble GPS equipment for three area offices.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Trimble Navigation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and software have been used by the USDA for twenty years and are the predominant GNSS (GPS) systems used for mapping and survey data collection. Currently, Mississippi NRCS uses Trimble based equipment and software for all its survey needs. The current purchase request is to update Trimble systems already in place. Previously, the USDA had a BPA with Trimble Navigation, Ltd. for the purchase of Trimble hardware, software, and maintenance support for new and existing proprietary GNSS hardware, post-processing software, and field data collection software used with Trimble GNSS receivers and field data collection equipment. This BPA, now expired, allowed USDA agencies to maintain compatibility with the existing software and hardware systems used within the USDA agencies. A timeline for the renewal of the BPA has not been set.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, titled "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements."

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

Per Trimble Navigation, NEI is the only authorized dealer that can provide these products for the State of Mississippi. USDA NRCS has previously utilized Trimble equipment and has a continued need for this equipment, but because the current equipment is reaching its end of life or end of support from Trimble, the equipment must be replaced.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

There are no opportunities to obtain competition as NEI is the sole Authorized Business Partner for Trimble products for the state of Mississippi. An email from Trimble, stating NEI is the sole distributor of Trimble equipment and services is provided.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Based on the USDA BPA that recently expired the pricing provided by NEI is considered fair and reasonable. This pricing is simliar to pricing on other requirements in other states.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

There are no opportunities to obtain competition as NEI is the sole Authorized Business Partner for Trimble products for the state of Mississippi.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

NA

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

Navigation Electronics, Inc. (NEI)

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

USDA will continue review the need for the Trimble equipment and if any other equipment can satisfy their needs. Market research will be completed continuously, and options evaluated as needed.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Insert Name of Program or Technical Personnel Insert Title of Program/Technical Personnel

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Julie M. Simpson Contracting Officer

OLGUY LOUIS Digitally signed by OLGUY LOUIS Date: 2020.08.12 15:04:39 -05'00'

08/12/2020