U. S. Debit card program

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Provision of Technical Assistance for Forestry Services International Programs The following Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is prepared in accordance with FAR 6.302-1: 1. Identification of Agency: The USDA Forest Service, Washington Office AQM-Operations Branch. 2. Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved: The U.S. Forest Service seeks support services for its debit card program, which provides the Forest Service to make payments to international visitors through debit cards, as an alternative to checks, drafts, cash, and other non-electronic mechanisms. 3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Agency’s Need Including Estimated the Value: The Forest Service has an agreement with the Department of Treasury to use New York Community Bank for debit cards to support our international visitors. The debit cards are used to provide reimbursement for travel, such as per diem, taxis, etc. per the Federal Travel Regulations. Per the agreement with Treasury, International Programs is responsible for fees associated with the debit cards as defined below. $4,000 - $,5000 per year 4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: FAR 6.302-1, 10 U.S.C 2304 (c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1) 5. Demonstration That the Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Requires use of the Authority Cited: The debit card program is managed by the Department of Treasury, who competed the requirement and selected New York Community as the vendor. It is therefore, required for Forest Service to use New York Community. 6. A Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable, Including Whether a Notice was or Will be Publicized as Required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, Which Exception Under 5.202 Applies: n/a 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer That the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: 8. Description of Market Research Conducted: This effort was competed by the Department of Treasury. 9. Any Other Facts Supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition: None. 10. A listing of the Sources, if any, That Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Not applicable. 11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency may Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition Before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services 

Awarded contract 12318723 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2023-04-16.