Template for Single Source - final - fully signed - redacted pricing.pdf

Template for Single Source or Brand Name Justification under SAT, March 2019

Single Source/Brand Name Justification United States Department of Agriculture

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting office.

Agency:

USDA Forest Service, Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Comanche & Cimarron National Grasslands (PSICC) Attn: Jeff Hyatt 2840 Kachina Drive Pueblo, CO. 81008

Agency point of contact:

Jeff Hyatt – Forest Recreation, Trails, Wilderness, and Special Uses Program Manager Office - (719) 553-1477 Cell - (719) 486-4627

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

Requesting to purchase brand-name specific QuietKat electric bikes (e-bike) for transportation in order to conduct trail maintenance activities. Using mountain bike style e-bikes will enhance field crew’s ability to access trail activity locations faster and improve efficiency of field crews, and reduce both noise and pollution over other types of gas power transportation that is used currently.

Field crews will be able to reach remote project areas faster with e-bikes and with less effort that can be used to complete the project. The e-bikes can also significantly increase the field range and coverage of field crews. This increased range can help enhance public contact opportunities in remote areas, and can provide for an alter option in relaying safety and emergency information where radio communication is limited in remote areas. With the increased popularity of public e-bike use, having agency representatives on similar equipment play a vital role in communication and connecting with that particular user group.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

After extensive market research conducted by the PSICC, it was determined that QuietKat Inc is one contractor that is capable of providing a mountain type e-bike that meets the Government’s needs.

QuietKat, Inc. was identified based on their suitability for working on Forest System trails within the PSICC, as they were found to be the only company that specifically manufacturer’s e-bikes for backcountry and remote work that provides the necessary specification and components. The trails in the PSICC can be rocky with steep and challenging terrain, and the brand-name specific QuietKat, Inc.

Ridge Runner 750 watt was found to be the most capable to meet these challenging requirements.

The specific QuietKat e-bike model Ridge Runner 750 watt is considered a class 2 electric bike. A class 2 electric bike is defined as a low-speed bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mile per hour with a throttle and push button, no pedaling required.

The class 2 electric bike was selected because these e-bikes may be used by field crews to access project areas that may cross other land management agencies jurisdictions. Some land management agencies restrict e-bikes use to only class 1 and 2 e-bikes only. Also, the class 2 electric bike with the throttle on demand is preferable over the class 1 pedal assisted electric bikes when slow maneuvering around obstacles with pedal assist power (class 1) may become problematic.

The QuietKat, Inc. Ridge Runner was the only e-bike identified that comes equipped with wider tires (4.8”), which provides for more stability and traction to navigate the challenging terrain.

The model comes equipped with a mid-drive motor, and comes equipped with a 1 x 9 gear range which provides better power assistance on steeper terrain. The Fire-Link front suspension, and the rear Rock Shox Air Suspension provide better traction and control for navigating a wide variety of trail obstacles common to Forest System Trails.

This particular Ridge Runner e-bike has a 300 lbs load capacity that would allow for adding accessories, tools, and gear when traveling to distant work site locations, and was the only e-bike found to have that large of load capacity. The large load capacity is considered essential, as the field crews will be required to carry multiple tools and materials to remote locations. The bike is also compatible with two wheel and single wheel trailer to transport tools and gear to work site.

The weight of this model of e-bike is listed at 79 lbs., which makes the e-bike more manageable and easier to transporting (to trailheads) than a motorcycle or ATV.

QuietKat, Inc. is also based in Eagle, CO, and while that may not seem important, the Government considers this important in terms of supporting the local economy, but also in terms of maintenance and warranty related issues. Based on this CO’s experience in the industry, it is very important to work with the original reseller on maintenance related things, as all new bicycles have a break in period. Plus, with QuietKat, Inc. being the only seller of this equipment, it is crucial to the Government to have qualified maintenance people available to address any technical issues that may come up, and it is better to have them locally, in terms of costs and time frame. The cost come from potential shipping costs, if an e-bike needs to be shipped out for maintenance, and the time frame comes from the shipping time lag going to and from the facility, and the potential risks of loss or further damage.

All the features identified above are considered essential to the Government. While many of these features and capabilities are available on other e-bikes from other manufacturers that are equal or even greater in some cases then QuiteKat, Inc.’s equipment, they are not all available inclusively with one e-bike. Some have this or that, but only QuietKat, Inc.’s equipment includes all of the features in one package.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Extensive web based research was completed by the PSICC, and while other manufacturers of e-bike were identified, only QuietKat, Inc.’s equipment was found capable of meeting all of the Government’s required needs.

The Contracting Officer (CO) also has direct working experience in the bicycle industry from a past career, and has tremedous working knowledge and experience in this field. The (CO) also did some extensive Market Research, and found that only QuietKat, Inc. was the only manufacturer of the type of e-bike that meets the Government required specifications. Other companies like Giant have an e-bike that is fairly similar, but did not have the wide tires, or the load capicity of the QuietKat, Inc. model.

This held true from other manufacturers as well.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The manufactured suggested retail price for the Ridge Runner E-bike is $5,999 for each bike, plus a $175 freight cost for each bike.

QueitKat Inc. has established wholesale and fleet pricing. This particular purchase proposal would include the purchase of 8 total Ridge Runner E-Bikes that would qualify for the reduced fleet pricing of $3,859 for each bike, and a $175 freight cost per bike.

The wholesale price for this bike (if purchase in quantities of less than 7 bikes) is $4,099 for each bike, plus a $175 freight cost per bike.

The single wheel cargo trailer manufactured price is $299. The whole sale price is $189. The freight charge for each trailer is $52 each. It is anticipated we would purchase four total single wheel trailers with this initial purchase. Additional trailers may be purchased at a later date.

6. Recommended source(s).

QuietKat Inc.

215 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631

(970) 480-0212

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Jeff Hyatt PSICC Recreation, Trails, Wilderness, and Special Uses Program Manager

07/14/2020 bmccabe Highlight

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.

Brian McCabe Contracting Officer

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.