Brand Name Justification - Nashville NC GM S.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Solicitation Number:__36C78624R50078____________________

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

Contracting, Southeast District, Nashville National Cemetery Purchase Request #: F364724-24-2000010

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use:

Requirement is for grounds maintenance, headstone/marker and interment services for the Nashville National Cemetery. Services include but not limited to mowing, trimming, edging, power washing, tree & shrub pruning, raise/lower/realign/reset/backfill/install/cleaning of headstones/markers, grave excavation & backfilling, disposal of un-useable headstones/markers, soil preparation, sod placement, and sunken grave repairs.

While the overall estimate for the whole requirement is over the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), this brand name justification is in reference to only the supply portion of the sod/turf and the cleaning agent, Weather-Zyme. The supply portion is estimated to be under the SAT.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

For the soil preparation and sod placement work, only the brands TifTuf Bermuda and Celebration Bermuda shall be used. These are the turfgrasses currently present at the Nashville National Cemetery, and they are the only turfgrasses to be allowed in Nashville NC to stay in accordance with NCA National Shrine Standards, NCA Turfgrass Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and NCA Organizational Assessment and Improvement (OAI) requirements.

For the cleaning of headstones and markers, only the brand Weather-Zyme shall be used. The NCA has noted that Weather-Zyme does not linger in the porous marble of the headstones and markers.

Other products and brands have been known to leave particles in the pores which can spall the marble during the freeze/thaw cycle. These results are based on research undertaken by the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) and funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research included gathering information from NCA cemetery personnel, agronomist, historical architect and NCPTT.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Charles W. Worsham Date Contracting Officer https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466