Sole Source JA.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Only One Source Able to Provide the Products, Services, or Solutions

Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number:

Rev. 10/29/25

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.401 and General Services Administration Regulation (GSAR) 538.7104-3 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Brief Description of Supplies or Services The acquisition involves procuring a commercial a diesel‑powered pump station, mainline conveyance, zone control infrastructure, filtration, fertigation components, and drip irrigation for approximately four (4) acres of citrus plantings, but with sufficient size to handle irrigation up to 20 acres, in anticipation of future grove expansion. The irrigation system is required to maintain the new grove and support high priority PPQ methods development projects.

(2) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. 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.

Irrigation Mart is the only local business that handles commercial citrus grove irrigation system installation in the Rio Grande Valley. They are the only company that has experience with the unique water regulation infrastructure in the RGV and are aware of restrictions to installation. They have made two site visits to Moore Air Base already this year, scoped the area fully, and have prepared draft plans for the irrigation system requested.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

We obtained quotes for this work through an earlier contracting attempt when it was combined with additional grove installation work, but after the amounts were too high, we decided to meet with private industry in the area so they could make direct recommendations for companies we can work with. Margaux Narcheska was the CO on that and her notes on the bids should be in the IAS system. The amounts were so high because all of the bids involved companies that a) were not experienced with commercial citrus irrigation and b) would rely on sub-contracts, thereby creating in inflated quote with middle men companies. Industry and local university extension experts highly recommended irrigation mart since they are the only company here that does this work. We also learned this company helped install much of the older irrigation systems on base for other older crop plots. We obtained a quote from them for approximately $118,000 which includes all of the irrigation system components including the pump, generator, and drip line components.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-8#FAR_Subpart_8_4 https://www.acquisition.gov/fss-ordering-procedures

United States Department of Agriculture Only One Source Able to Provide the Products, Services, or Solutions

Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Identification Number:

Rev. 10/29/25

Certifications & Approvals

(1) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Dara G. Stockton Assistant Laboratory Director

(2) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.

James Roloff Contracting Officer