Sole Source Determination signed 05072025 - Biak Boardman RAWS.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION AND JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

To: Designated Procurement Officer

Oregon Military Department

From: Chief, Support Branch Installations Division Oregon Military Department

Agency Analyst/Procurement Specialist: Moya McKeehan

Date: 4/25/2025

Re: Sole Source Determination pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 279B.075 and Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 125-247-0275

1. Authority to enter into a Sole-Source Contract: OAR 125-246-0170(2)(c)(H)

2. Estimated Total Value of Contract: $46,000

3. Subject of Contract: Purchase of Remote Area Weather Stations (RAWS) to be located at Biak

Training Center and Boardman Training Site

4. Background:

In September 2024, Oregon Military Department (OMD or Agency) purchased three RAWS hardware packages and supporting software. The RAWS are located at three Oregon National Guard training sites:

Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Rees Training Center in Hermiston, and Camp Adair in Corvallis. The RAWS are integrated into a large-scale weather data network that includes the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The data is uploaded to a NOAA satellite and used, at a minimum, for fire danger analysis by OMD and other public and private entities.

The purchase was the result of a Request for Quote (RFQ) posted on OregonBuys in August 2024. The RFQ detailed the purchase of hardware and software for two RAWS to be located at Camp Rilea and Rees Training Center. The RFQ allowed for purchase of an additional RAWS if funding was available.

The RFQ specified that the RAWS hardware and software must be compliant with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) standards, US National Fire Rating Systems standards, and the Wild Land Fire Management Information database. In addition, the RFQ specified that the RAWS hardware and software must meet the following requirements:

1) System does not require proprietary external devices to maintain RAWS hardware and software;

2) System has user friendly external program to interface with RAWS hardware and software for individuals who do not have a working knowledge of programming language; and

3) Agency personnel or third-parties are allowed to calibrate and maintain RAWS hardware and software.

The RFQ also included a list of system components not limited to the following:

1) Data logger;

2) Tower mast;

3) Antenna;

4) Solar radiation sensor;

5) Wind speed and direction sensor;

6) Rain gauge;

7) Air temperature and humidity sensor;

8) Fuel moisture and temperature sensor;

9) Solar panel; and

10) Solid framework with adjustable legs that will withstand 125 mph winds.

One vendor, FTS Forest Technology Systems LTD (FTS), responded to the RFQ, and after review of the vendor’s quote, OMD issued purchase orders for three RAWS hardware packages along with the supporting software.

OMD currently has available funding to purchase two additional RAWS for the Biak Training Center in Powell Butte and Boardman Training Site in Boardman. To ensure compatibility with the RAWS hardware and software purchased in 2024, OMD is entering into a sole-source contract with FTS to purchase the two additional RAWS hardware packages.

5. Findings:

A. Market Research Overall Finding.

With the purchase of the RAWS hardware packages and supporting software from FTS in 2024, OMD established a remote weather data network to support three of the Oregon National Guard training sites and upload data to the large-scale weather data network used by OMD and other public and private entities.

FTS designs and builds the hardware packages and provides the supporting software for complete systems. Purchase of additional RAWS from FTS allows OMD to expand the existing remote weather data network to support additional Oregon National Guard training sites and continue efficient data upload for fire danger analysis by OMD and other public and private entities.

And

B. Findings of Fact pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2) must include, at a minimum, one of the following:

1. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(a): Compatibility. Provide findings supporting determination that the efficient utilization of existing Supplies or Services requires the acquisition of compatible Supplies or Services from only one source.

To effectively utilize the software purchased in 2024 and expand the remote weather data network to other Oregon National Guard training sites, purchase of additional RAWS hardware packages need to be compatible with the established network. Purchase of other systems would require management of different software licenses and RAWS types. This would impair efficient past, present, and future modeling capabilities as well as increase hardware maintenance costs.

2. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(b): Exchange of Software or Data. Provide findings supporting determination that the Supplies or Services required for the exchange of software or data with other public or private agencies are available from only one source.

Not Applicable

3. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(c): Pilot or Experimental Project. Provide findings supporting determination that the Supplies or Services are for use in a pilot or an experimental project.

4. Pursuant to OAR 125-247-0275(2)(d): Other findings that support the conclusion that Supplies and Services are available from only one source may include but are not limited to considerations of: unique design, availability, geographic location, exclusive authorized representative, cost of conversion, and warranty services.

Approved By: ____________________________________________________________________ Adam Giblin, Designated Procurement Officer Date Oregon Military Department