Xetawave_redacted_Redacted.pdf

Justification for Noncompetitive Procurement

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a firm-fixed price contract on a limited source basis as required by FAR 13.106-1 and 11.105.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

The U.S. Geological Survey requests award of a brand name procurement for Xetawave radios.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

We are requesting to purchase 20 qty. Xetawave Xeta9 (902-928MHz) Debian0S and 4 qty Xetawave Xeta9x9 (902-928MHz) DebianOS, plus accompanying mounting hardware. The requiring Program Office is the Volcano Science Center, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, WA.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of Section 201 of the Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 USC 501) and FAR 13.106-1 and 11.105 – Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5

The Xetawave radios will complete our network buildout at new Lahar monitoring stations to be installed at Mt. Rainier in the summer of 2022 and replace failed radios at existing volcanic monitoring stations on Mt. St. Helens and Crater Lake. Although there are various suppliers of microwave 900 MHz radios, we have been using the Xetawave 9 series for several years because they offer the many features required to maintain data flow in our complex and varied telemetry networks on remote volcanoes. The Xetawave radio is the only model with multiple speed and distance coverage options that are needed for both low bandwidth/long distance and high bandwidth/short distance mixed monitoring network applications. In addition, our network requires interchangeable instrumentation in the field to facilitate repair and replacement. We currently have over 20 of these radios deployed in remote areas throughout Washington and Oregon. By maintaining a uniform inventory, we can re-configure and swap equipment simply and efficiently, and avoid having to customize the configuration at each field site. Additionally, the new Xetawave radios is backwards compatible with older 900 MHz Xetawave radios. For existing networks with Xetwaves, not utilizing Xetawaves to replace failed radios will require the replacement of all radios in the networks to maintain data telemetry. Having to replace all radios in a network to accommodate another radio model would add an enormous expense to CVO that could result in CVO not being able to maintain it’s ability to monitor volcanic activity on high threat volcanoes like Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier in real-time.

7. Other Information. This radio equipment has been reviewed and technically approved by the bureau Radio Approver.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

A web search for similar radio equipment was conducted and no other manufacturer with features meeting the Government’s minimum needs was identified. CVO staff has conducted market research and per the manufacturer, they use a number of resellers nationwide.

Competition will be sought available among resellers. There are many manufactures of digital radios. The Xetawave radios are the only models with multiple speed and distance coverage options that are needed for both low bandwidth/long distance and high bandwidth/short distance mixed monitoring network applications.

9. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition.

Future requirements for same/similar items will be competed to the maximum extent practical, including when the existing inventory reach end of useful life.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a limited source basis. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification, that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

Benjamin Pauk Date

11. Certifications and Approval from the Contracting Officer:

a. The contracting officer determines the order represents a fair and reasonable price to the Government based on market research and competitive quotes received for Xetawave radios.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Approvals

Cheryl Ciccarelli, Contracting Officer Date

Jennifer Kelley, Bureau Competition Advocate Date