Updated FAR 13 Single Source Portaccounts ER Certified -lh.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Source/Brand Name Justification

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions Control No. (if applicable) 1123799 & 1126359

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requesting Agency:

USDA/APHIS/ERCS

69 Thomas Johnson Dr Frederick, MD 21702

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS-AAMD Contracting 250 Marquette Ave Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401

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

This requirement is to provide ten (26) PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Tester 8048’s at a total cost of $465,040.00

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) current operates a robust Respiratory Protection Program in which it has used PortaCounts™ provided by TSI Incorporated since 1998. APHIS is initiating the replacement of the second reiteration of the units (Model 8038) with the updated Model 8048. The older Model 8038s have entered their shelf life for production.

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i);

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.).

This is a follow-on requirement:

AG-6395-B-13-0041 12/01/2012 to 11/30/2015 AG-6395-B-16-0019 12/01/2015 to 11/30/2018 AG-3267-B-17-0001 12/01/2018 to 11/30/2019 12639520A0012 01/02/2020 to 12/31/2022 12639523A0015 02/15/2023 to 02/14/2026

The PortaCount is the only quantitative fit testing device used by the APHIS Respiratory Protection Program. It is the only piece of equipment that can properly and seamlessly integrate data into the current APHIS Response Information System (ARIS) that is used to manage employee medical monitoring, surveillance, and respiratory protection information. ARIS is used on a daily basis by APHIS to determine which employees can respond to emergency response activities. If employees have not passed a fit test on a PortaCount instrument, they are not able to wear a respirator which can limit both their daily duties as well as their ability to participate in certain emergency response activities. ARIS is also used to track compliance with OSHA regulations and requirements for respiratory protection. The PortaCount model 8048 can fit test employees on all the different types of respirators used in APHIS. This includes both half-face, full-face, and filtering facepiece respirators.

The PortaCounts have been deployed to APHIS locations throughout the US as part of an APHIS fit testing kit. These kits contain all of the supplies necessary to conduct a quantitative fit test on APHIS employees and are specifically designed for the PortaCount. There are over 170 certified fit testers in APHIS that have been trained to use the PortaCount to conduct fit testing of employees in all 50 states and in locations such as Puerto Rico. These fit testers have had to attend a full-day training on how to use the PortaCount equipment, as it requires specialized knowledge to use it properly. These trainings are unique to the PortaCount instrument, and teach employees how to use the equipment, as well as how to troubleshoot issues that may occur. The PortaCount has been used by APHIS since the late 1990s and has worked to keep the APHIS respiratory protective program active during numerous zoonotic outbreaks, eradication efforts, and emergency response activities.

The use of other quantitative fit testing devices would require APHIS to re-engineer the ARIS system.

This would be a large software development effort which could have adverse consequences on keeping people up to date with their legally required fit testing data and could potentially lead to employees not being able to perform their daily duties or be able to respond to emergency situations that arise. The use of another quantitative fit testing device will likely not be compatible with ARIS as it currently exists and would also require re-training of over 170 employees on the use of the new system. This could lead to delays in fit testing and negatively impact APHIS’s mission.

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

The anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on a deduction of $2,000 for each returned unit (up to 23) to be used for scrap, providing a total discount of $46,000. APHIS and TSI Incorporated have an agreement that the older Model 8038s will be traded in and scrapped to recycle parts that will be reused for both existing and the newer Model 8048s, to keep the machinery in good operating condition and provide a cost savings. TSI also provided an additional $10,000 discount on the final price due to the volume purchased.

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

Item Material/Description Quantity Unit Price Amount

1 8048-B2B3 23.00 EA 20,040.00 460,920.00

PortaCount 8048 + B2B3 Service Plan Promo Discount Amt = - $46,000.00

2 8048-B2B3 .00 EA 20,040.00 60,120.00

Discount = - $10,000

Total with Discount $465,040.00

Quotation Numbers -20311781

Quotation Date – 6/27/2025 Customer No – 561804

6. Recommended source(s).

TSI INCORPORATED

UEI SAM: HLY6Q9S8CEV8 CAGE: 24575

500 CARDIGAN ROAD

SHOREVIEW, MN 55126-3903

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.

Timothy Snidow Chief, Safety and Health Branch

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.

Latisha Hollman Contracting Officer