Single Source Justification Oct 8 2024 Req 1141037.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Single Source or Brand Name Justification Under Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Contents Section 1: Single Source or Brand Name Justification

1.1 Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity

1.2 Description of the Supplies or Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs

1.3 Circumstances and Rationale for Limiting Competition

1.4 Description of the Market Research Conducted Among Schedule Holders and the Results or a Statement of the Reason Market Research Was Not Conducted

1.5 Estimated Price, Including All Options, If Applicable

1.6 Recommended Source(s)

Section 2: Certifications and Approvals

2.1 Program or Technical Personnel

2.2 Contracting Officer

Section 3: Notes and Guidance

Section 1: Single Source or Brand Name Justification

1.1 Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity

USDA, APHIS, VS, RPS, PO, PPT

Procurement for Animals for FADD Training

1.2 Description of the Supplies or Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs Animals (2 bovine, 8 sheep, 4 goats, 14 swine) for inoculation for FADD Training at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.

1.3 Circumstances and Rationale for Limiting Competition

Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need. For example, equipment that must be compatible in all aspects with existing systems/equipment presently installed; or proprietary data or software licensing agreements that limit competition, etc. In cases of unusual and compelling urgency, state the harm to the Government is normal procedures (e.g., competition) were followed.

Thomas Morris is the only animal supplier located at a location within our area. Thomas Morris is a USDA approved vendor and has been supplying our animals for several years. We have reached out to another vendor in the past, and received animals from him, but there were issues with the delivery and quality of the swine.

1.4 Description of the Market Research Conducted Among Schedule Holders and the Results or a

Statement of the Reason Market Research Was Not Conducted Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted. Include responses received from FedBizOps announcement, if used. Note: FAR Part 10.001 requires agencies to conduct market research appropriate to the circumstances: (a) before developing new requirements documents for an acquisition by the agency; (b) before soliciting officers for acquisitions with an estimated value less than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold when adequate information is not available and the circumstances justify the cost; and (c) on an ongoing basis, take advantage of commercially available market research methods in order to effectively identify the capabilities of small businesses and new entrants into the market.

We have not been able to find another vendor who supply the specified animals in a timely manner for our training at Plum Island.

1.5 Estimated Price, Including All Options, If Applicable

Provide the estimated value. If the proposed action includes option periods, include the estimated value for the base period and each option period and the total estimated value of the base and all option periods.

The quote for the animals is $29,460.00 which includes necessary Q fever tests, health papers and delivery charge.

1.6 Recommended Source(s)

List proposed source or sources, and include any sources, that expressed an interest in the acquisition.

Thomas Morris, Inc.

400 Millender Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136

Section 2: Certifications and Approvals

2.1 Program or Technical Personnel

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

Elizabeth D. Fernandez, Training Specialist with PPT FADD Training

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

2.2 Contracting Officer

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Insert Name of Contracting Officer Contracting Officer

ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ Digitally signed by ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ Date: 2024.10.08 10:37:08 -04'00'

Section 3: Notes and Guidance Delete these notes prior to finalizing document for signature.

For acquisitions greater than the micro-purchase threshold but less than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) the Contracting Officer may solicit from one source only if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, etc.). Contracting Officers must document the rationale for soliciting from a single source, including brand name in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i).

Program personnel are advised to work with contracting personnel early on in order to promote and provide for full and open competition to the maximum extent practicable. In circumstances permitting other than full and open competition, program personnel shall provide necessary information to contracting personnel to support and document the circumstances limiting competition through the use of this form

Advance planning. Contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of (1) a lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or (2) concerns related to the amount of funds available to the agency or activity for the acquisition of supplies or services.

Brand Name. Items peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements and 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.

Posting. When an acquisition contains brand name specifications, the Contracting Officer shall include the justification required by FAR 13.103-1(b) with the solicitation when synopsizing in the GPE (actions exceeding $25,000) or displaying in a public place (actions exceeding $15,000 but not expected to exceed $25,000), as required by FAR 5.102(1)(6).

Screening. Before posting the justification, in accordance with FAR 6.305(e) and 24.202, the Contracting Officer is responsible to redact any information that is exempt from disclosure under Freedom of Information Act or information proprietary to the contractor.

Signatures. After review and completion by the Program Office and Contracting Officer, the Word document shall be converted to an Adobe PDF file and routed for electronic signatures. Signature blocks shall include dates.