Single Source Justification - ACQ-26-0498_redacted.pdf

Single Source Determination Using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

This is a Single Source Determination justification document for a contract action under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)). The Department of Commerce's NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office, in coordination with the Western Acquisition Division, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), and NMFS/AFSC/RACE Division, is procuring trawl webbing and hardware supplies from L.F.S. TRAWL (803 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225; POC: Shea Kirkpatrick; shea@lfsinc.com) on a firm-fixed price basis. The contract period runs from the award date through January 1, 2027, with delivery preferred as materials become available. The vendor has indicated that certain items are on backorder with potential 14-week delivery delays. The supplies are required to construct, repair, and maintain fishing gear for fishery-independent surveys in Alaska mandated by the Ted Stevenson Act.

The justification establishes that only one source is reasonably available based on two primary factors: (1) the AFSC's groundfish assessment program requires identical trawl webbing specifications across five different trawl surveys to ensure standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) data collection methods remain consistent between towns and years, preventing biased population estimations; and (2) the required rope and twine must be manufactured identically year-to-year with unchanging fiber and tensile specifications to maintain survey standardization. The RACE Division has determined that L.F.S. TRAWL is uniquely qualified and proven effective for this specialized requirement, as small differences in webbing can influence drag, turbulence, and trawl opening characteristics. Market research confirmed no other vendor can provide the exact specifications needed. The contracting officer's determination is signed and dated April 7, 2026.