REDACTED Brand Name Justification.docx

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER CARDEROCK DIVISION

MEMORANDUM

Requirements POC:

Requiring Code:

PID#:

This requirement is for a commercial product or commercial service that is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) and FAR Part 12 procedures will be used for the purchase. FAR 12.102(a) states that the decision to restrict competition, including the use of brand name descriptions without allowing for “equal” products, must be documented. The Requirements Owner requests approval to restrict competition for the identified PID# for the reasons stated in Section III and submits this memorandum to document the basis for the request pursuant FAR 12.102(a).

I. TYPE OF RESTRICTION REQUESTED

SELECT ONE

· DON Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA). Enter ELA#: Click or tap here to enter text.

· Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). Enter ESI# Click or tap here to enter text.

· NASA Strategic Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP)

II. REQUIREMENTS DESCRIPTION

Provide a brief description of the requirements.

Code is requesting one base year and 4 option years of: Epson 1-Year Preferred, Plus Next-Business-Day, On-Site Repair, Extended Service Plan, for our two SureColor P20570 large format printers.

CUI

CUI

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

B03 Request to Restrict Competition NTE SAT v060126 Effective June 2026

Identify the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), OEM address, and whether the market research was conducted by contacting the OEM directly or an authorized OEM dealer or reseller. For the source of the market research, provide the point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail. Also include the estimated dollar value from the Independent Government Estimate (IGE). Using manufacturer or vendor estimated cost information will result in rejection of the request.

☒ Authorized OEM Dealer or Reseller POC provided market research.

Market Research Source POC Name:

N/A

Market Resource Source POC Phone#:

N/A

Market Research Source POC E-Mail# N/A

Estimated $ Value

III. BASIS TO RESTRICT COMPETITION

A. Existing Restrictive Rights/Licensing Agreements.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

B. Coordination with Existing Equipment and Systems.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

C. Market Research Conducted & Conclusions.

Detailed market research is required to establish why only one source, or one brand can meet the requirement for the exclusion of other sources or brands. To comply with FAR 12.102(a), limitations to competition MUST detail the market research conducted to find alternate sources and competition. This information will be verified before Contracting Officer approval.

For Sole Source ONLY:

· Describe what is unique about the sole source that no other company or individual can provide.

· If using a cost impact statement, attach the supporting documentation.

For Brand Name ONLY:

· Discuss why you are precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company.

· Describe how the brand name product or feature is essential to the Government’s requirement.

· Explain why a “brand name or equal” description cannot be used.

· Describe how market research indicates other companies’ similar products or products lacking the particular feature do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the Government’s requirement.

For Restrictive Rights:

· Explain what rights are restricted, why the restrictive rights make the required item or service available from only one source, and why another company could not satisfy the Government’s need.

· Describe how market research indicates other companies’ similar products or products lacking the particular feature do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

For Exclusive Licensing Agreements:

· Identify the OEM and explain the circumstances surrounding why the item or service is only available from the OEM.

· Describe how market research indicates other companies’ similar products or products lacking the particular feature do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs. Provide evidence of the exclusive licensing agreement as an attachment to this document.

For Other Reasons:

· Only include a cost impact statement if justification cannot be established using any of the above. The cost impact statement must provide a trackable basis for the conclusion that the estimated cost of switching sources is so high that it outweighs the benefits of competition.

· Lack of support documentation for the cost impact statement will result in Contracting Officer rejection.

Click or tap here to enter text.Market Research Statement:

Market research was conducted on , to identify sources for the required Epson service plan. The research confirmed that this is a commercial service available from multiple authorized resellers. A review of the GSA Advantage! catalog and NASA SEWP identified several contract vehicles and vendors. Specifically, market research identified three authorized Epson partners capable of providing the required service:

Googoz.com, Inc. (CAGE: 5CCL6), Better Direct (CAGE: 4JN18), and IT Supplies (CAGE: 3WYV0). The service is available via GSA Schedule contracts, including GS-35F-0503X and GS-02F-0124T. The previous contract for these services (N0016725P1002) was with Googoz.com, Inc., which has since expired.

Justification for Brand Name Restriction (Epson):

The requirement is for continued maintenance and support for two government-owned, large-format Epson SureColor P20570 printers. These printers are critical to the mission of Code . The justification for restricting this procurement to the "Epson" brand name service plan is as follows:

· Essential to Government's Requirement: The Epson Preferred Plus service plan is essential to ensure the operational readiness and longevity of the existing printers. This specific service plan guarantees that only OEM-certified technicians will perform repairs and that only genuine Epson parts will be used. This is critical for maintaining the equipment's performance and reliability.

· Why a "Brand Name or Equal" is Not Sufficient: Using a third-party or "equal" service plan introduces unacceptable risks. A non-authorized service provider may use non-genuine parts or lack the specialized training required for the Epson P20570 printers. Such actions could lead to improper repairs, causing further damage to the printers and potentially voiding the manufacturer's warranty. The potential for increased downtime and additional repair costs associated with using a non-OEM service outweighs any potential savings.

· Market Research Findings: While market research confirms the existence of multiple resellers for Epson products, it also confirms that the underlying service and warranty protection can only be authentically provided by Epson or its certified partners. Therefore, competition is sought among authorized resellers of the genuine Epson-branded service, not for an "equal" service from a different provider. This brand-name requirement ensures compatibility and protects the Government's investment in the existing equipment.

IV. CERTIFICATIONS & APPROVALS

A. Requirements Owner/Technical Certification. I certify that the information provided above is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that approval of this request precludes use of full and open competition.