WS WTD IL Single Source Justification.pdf

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United States Department of Agriculture

Single Source/Brand Name Justification

Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requiring Activity:

Wildlife Services

USDA APHIS

3430 Constitution Dr.

Suite 121

Springfield, IL 62711-9411

(217) 241-6700

Contracting Activity:

Procurement Branch

Acquisition and Asset Management Division

USDA APHIS MRPBS

250 Marquette Ave., Suite 410

Minneapolis, MN 55401

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

Collection of up to 500 nasal swabs and up to 500 blood samples from Whitetail deer (WTD) in Illinois for diagnostic screening of SARS CoV-2 in accordance with APHIS and Illinois Department of Natural

Resources (IL DNR) guidelines/protocols. Collected samples will support virus detection and subsequent molecular sequencing of sample positives for SARS-CoV-2 and document variants circulating in WTD.

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The work entailed in this requirement is not available for competition. In order for APHIS to obtain biological samples from whitetail deer in Illinois as part of its national SARS CoV-2 disease surveillane program it must comply with the specifications of the State’s Department of Natural Resources, which limits competition to one source. The general management of wildlife falls within the purview of State government unless a unique federal interest exists such as the Endangered Spieces Act. State wildlife organizations (Department’s of Natural Resources, Fish & Game Divisions, etc) have exclusive authority to manage domestic “game species” within their territories and enforce management laws.

States generally prohibit commercialy oriented organizations from participating in wildife management since wildlife are a public resouce.

The IL DNR solely partners with the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) organization at the

Uninversity of Illinois for large scale WTD studies/management activities. The INHS has performed

Page 2 Version 03152021 biloligcal surveys in the state for more than 150 years and was a divison of the IL DNR prior to the State transfering the it to the university. INHS essentialy serves as an extention of the IL DNR during fieldwork and both organizations are intimitly integrated in data management, communications and personel oversight. In summary, no other organiztion is capable of fufulinng the work because the IL

DNR has granted the INHS exclusive rights for the project.

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

WS conducted market research across the nation to identify organizations capable of supporting its

SARS CoV-2 disease surveillance in 41 states, not only Illinois. Market research for the national program reveals that only State wilidife management groups, or their designated proxies like INHS, are capable of performing the work. Research included: (1) internet searchers; (2) communications with academia; (3) exchanges with the professional organizations suchs as the American Fish & Wildlife

Association (AFWA); (4) conversations with State natural resouce regulators, (5) inquiries to other federal organizations such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and (6) reviewing previous APHIS contracts & cooperative agreements.

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

The total government estimate for the entire project is less than $35,000. The purchase order should be structured as firm fixed price for supply of 500 samples to be tested by USDA.

6. Recommended source(s).

Illinois Natural History Survey

University of Illionis

1816 South Oak Street, MC 652

Champaign, IL 61820

(217) 333-6880 jharden3@illinois.edu

DUNS: 041514081

Certifications

☒ The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete by Scott Beckerman (WS Illinois State Director), Program/Technical Personnel.

Contracting Officer (less than SAT). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Charmion Harris, Contracting Officer mailto:jharden3@illinois.edu