Limited Competition Justification - FY 25 MEARNG Band Instruments - Redacted - 10FEB2025_Redacted.pdf

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 CUI//SP-SSEL 3 of 4

CUI//SP-SSEL

• Case/Bag: Standard Bach Hard Case

• Mouthpiece: Bach Symphonic Series S651 1.25C with Throat #24 or equivalent

c. Demonstrate, in Detail, Why This Specific Item or Service, is the Only One That Meets Your Requirements

• The 195th Army Band is requesting specific brands, makes and models of musical instruments and components to replace property book equipment that is no longer operational and beyond the documented life cycle. Cases, components, and peripherals selected are to ensure the standard of professional interment is met. It is imperative these instruments be replaced by the requested brand, make and model to meet consistent mission training expectations and outcomes. In accordance with DA PAM 220-90 paragraph 6-1d (1), Professional -quality musical instruments are required for use in Army Music Performance Units (MPUs). Contracting offices will procure musical instruments and related supplies and accessories based on the recommendation of the MPU Commander, Army Music Officer, Warrant Officer Band Master, or the MPU Senior Sergeant (see AR 220-90)

• Instruments within a musical section cannot be mixed in terms of characteristics. This leads to the section not being able to tune together, or blend and balance effectively. Typically, an instrumental section within a professional ensemble will perform in such a way as to be heard as one “voice”. This becomes increasingly difficult to accomplish with low quality instruments, because of poor construction, and low-quality materials makeing a large differences in tuning tendencies and sound. It is unreasonable to expect a professional ensemble and musician to perform to the required level of professional performance with substandard equipment and to play musically next to an instrument of higher different caliber or make.

• The 195th Army Band Warrant Officer Band Master recommends, based on professional knowledge and expertise, the specified brand name professional-quality-musical instruments. Although lesser quality instruments are somewhat playable and may perform the basic functions attributed to musical instruments, these lesser models or other brands are of an untested quality and in some cases, basic student /entry level instruments. These instruments are usually made from lower quality materials, and have larger tolerances between movable parts, and commonly require maintenance prior to performance.

• Instruments of lesser professional quality, or low-quality brands will not meet the performance requirements due to different manufacturing processes, quality of materials and industry performance track record over time. Army Music Performance Units require instruments of professional quality to withstand the rigors associated with the performance of Army Bands. Failure to procure instruments of specified brand and quality may incur an additional risk to the Government in terms of increased replacement rate due to lower life cycle duration and endurance, and deviations could result in additional budgetary costs due to a higher replacement rate.

5a. HAS THIS BEEN PREVIOUSLY PROCURED?

Yes, details are below. No.✔

6a. AUTHORITY CITED 41 USC 1901 as implemented in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Soliciting from a single source.

b. Reason for Authority Cited

The requested instruments are the only solution determined acceptable by the Band Warrant Officer. The desired items are intended to be incorporated into the existing MEARNG brass and wind ensemble in specific capacities. Acoustically various brands of instruments have unique sound characteristics along with craftsmanship that effects overall quality. If other brands were utilized with the current brass/wind section of the MEARNG Band it is anticiapated that they would detract from the performance of the Band and thus the Band's ability to accomplish it's mission.

7. POSTING REQUIREMENTS

Include MFR with solicitation (FAR 13.106-1(b)(3)).

8. CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS

a. Efforts to Obtain Competition

IAW DFARS PGI 206.302-1, a Sources Sought notice was issued at SAM.gov on 10 January 2025 and closed 22 January 2025. Eight vendors responded to the notice.

b. Actions to Increase Competition

The USPFO for Maine and MEARNG Band will continue to monitor the market and maintain continous market research in an effort to indentify any emerging instruments that may satisfy future requirements. Should such instruments become available, the USPFO for Maine and the MEARNG will seek competition to the maximum extent practicable.

c. Market Research

This requirement came to the contracting office in December of 2024. Market research was conducted by the requiring activity (195th Army Band) and the contracting officer. The Requiring activity utilized personal knowledge in procuring supplies of this type as well as Former and current Army Band Supply NCO's, Prowinds, Musicians, and local music area vendors. It was also found that brand name the instruments can be sourced through multiple retailers.

The Contract Specialist discovered multiple instances of brand name requirements for instruments across National Guards, the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Exact matches to our requirements were difficult to find but many like items were discovered. Overall it would appear appropriate to solicit Total Small Business Set Aside, this will allow appropriate competition and fulfill the brand name requirement.