RFQ SS AASHTO Sole Source 2022-23.pdf

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION (Sole Source) For purchases below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting activity/agency

U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD).

2. Description of supplies and/or services required to meet agency need

FHWA-WFLHD requires participation in the AASHTO Accreditation Program services.

3. Identification of the limited source to be solicited Company Name: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Company Address: 444 N Capital Street NW, Ste 249, Washington DC 20001 Company POC: Lori Morgan

4. Rationale The specific characteristics that limit the availability to a single source are the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) was established in 1988 as a means of formally recognizing the competence of testing laboratories to perform specific tests on construction materials. AAP is a voluntary program that is available to all testing laboratories including government, commercial, university, and research facilities. There are over 1,750 individual laboratories that are currently accredited through AAP, making it the largest accrediting body of construction materials testing laboratories. AAP utilizes laboratory assessment and proficiency sample services provided by AASHTO re:source (formerly AMRL) and the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL). Re:source provides administrative coordination and technical support for AAP. The program accredits for over 650 AASHTO, ASTM, or state standards.

The process of becoming accredited helps our laboratory improve its quality through re:source’s rigorous review of testing, equipment, and quality system management.

Participating in the AAP, LAP, PSP and ISO-17025 programs signifies that our laboratory is maintaining the highest standard in the industry. Once we obtain the accreditation, we become part of the elite group of materials testing laboratories that can start bidding on projects that may require the accreditation. Specifying agencies include the DOTs, FHWA, FAA and many regional, state and local authorities. Being accredited also enters us into the AMRL community of accredited laboratories. The people who work for these laboratories who hold this accreditation do more than just conform to standards – they set standards. Many of the participants in the program write and submit balloted changes to ASTM standards. As an AASHTO program, re:source is able to offer its accredited labs the ability to submit a change to an AASHTO standard as well mailto:lmorgan@astm.org

5. Authority

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) – The contracting officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).