SS just NOW moths--AA-2023_signed.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Section 1: Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

1.1 Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity

USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Marketing & Regulatory Programs Business Services (MRPBS), Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD)

1.2 The Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved

The USDA proposes to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition to negotiate a sole source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with American Airlines.

1.3 Description of the Supplies or Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs (Including the

Estimated Value)

This request is for the procurement of an air carrier to provide transportation of up to 2 million sterile navel orangeworm (NOW) moths in shipping containers from Phoenix, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA, up to 7 days per week.

USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) has agreed to participate in a cooperative area-wide trial and developmental project to assist the nut industry in California in evaluation of sterile insect technique (SIT) as a tool to combat the significant damage caused by the navel orangeworm. Without this means of transportation the multimillion dollar project would fail.

The PBWRF/NOWRF mass-rears NOW on artificial diet to the adult stage, which requires 30 – 40 days. The moths are collected and inactivated in a walk-in refrigerator held at ~38 degrees F, and placed in canisters for sterilization of the moths through breakage of chromosomes. Following sterilization the moths are placed in a shipping box called a Drop Box Shipping Container (DBSC). The capacity of this box is around 750,000 sterile insects. The box is fitted with a passive cooling system composed of plastic cylinders filled with blue ice that keeps moth temperatures in the box at ~38 degrees F. Once the moths and cooling tubes are loaded in the box it is ready for commercial shipping. A full box will weigh about 48 lbs. Daily, as many as 2 shipping boxes may be sent to Bakersfield, dependent upon the level of production attained on any particular day.

Once the moths are packaged for shipment it is critical that they be delivered to their destinations and the box be opened in a cold room within 5 hours or less, to allow oxygen levels to return to ambient. At times longer than 5 hours, the air in the containers becomes depleted of oxygen, and carbon dioxide proportionately increases. The resulting anoxia detrimentally impacts the quality of the moth by significantly reducing the frequency of mating. It is for this reason that airline schedules, in effect, must fit into our schedule and it is critical that deliveries be timely and without delays.

Delivery is to the destination airport cargo or baggage area where the shipment is picked up by our cooperators.

This is expected to be a base and four option-year contract with an estimated value of $240,000.

1.4 Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition

1.4.1 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) / FAR 6.302-1 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, titled “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

Once the moths are packaged for shipment it is critical that they be delivered to their destinations and the box be opened in a cold room within 5 hours or less, to allow oxygen levels to return to ambient. At times longer than 5 hours, the air in the containers becomes depleted of oxygen, and carbon dioxide proportionately increases. The resulting anoxia detrimentally impacts the quality of the moth by significantly reducing the frequency of mating. It is for this reason that airline schedules, in effect, must fit into our schedule and it is critical that deliveries be timely and without delays.

Because of this critical need for timeliness, only direct commercial flights will meet this requirement. At the present time, only one air carrier (American Airlines) has direct morning flights from Phoenix to Bakersfield.

1.5 Description of Efforts Made to Ensure Offers Are Solicitated from as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable

A sources sought notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) website on October 21, 2022. Several companies expressed interest in ground transportation. But, because of time limitations, that would not be feasible for outgoing moth shipments. Ground transport may be considered for return of the empty containers in the future however. Other respondents offered charter service flights which would be cost prohibitive for this project.

1.6 Determination by Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Costs to the Government will be Fair and

Reasonable

Offered price will be compared to historical pricing for similar services.

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

Statement of the Reason Market Research Was Not Conducted

A sources sought notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) website on October 21, 2022. Several companies expressed interest in ground transportation. But, because of time limitations, that would not be feasible for outgoing moth shipments. Ground transport may be considered for return of the empty containers in the future however. Other respondents offered charter service flights which would be cost prohibitive for this project.

1.8 Facts Supporting the Justification

N/A

1.9 Listing of the Sources That Expressed a Written Interest in the Acquisition

See 1.5 above. Sources expressed interest in ground shipping or charter flights in response to the Sources Sought Notice.

1.10 Statement of Actions the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers to Competition if Subsequent Acquisitions are Anticipated

USDA will consider other contractors if more direct flights are offered that meet the NOW moth transport requirement.

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.

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

2.2 Contracting Officer

The information contained in this Limited Sources Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Insert Name of Contracting Officer Contracting Officer