USDA APHIS on behalf of GIPSA intends to make a sole source award to Carter Day for Dockage Testers. Please see below justification for additional information.

1. Contracting Agency:

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition
USDA APHIS MRP-BS ASD
100 North 6th Street 5th Floor, Minneapolis MN 55403

2. Description of Action:

Purchase of Carter Day Dockage Tester for use by the Grading Services Lab (GSL) and Board of Appeals and Review (BAR). The BAR/GSL is replacing aged equipment. The specific make/model of the Dockage Tester is limited to this specific model by GIPSA, which standardizes the equipment used within the official grain inspection system.
• Objective 2.1. Provide the market with terms and methods for quality assessments.
• Objective 2.2. Protect the integrity of U.S. grain and related markets.

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

Dockage Testers designed by Carter-Day to meet specifications of the USDA, the Carter-Day Dockage Tester provides accurate and uniform tests of grain samples for dockage. It is the official testing machine used in Federal Grain Inspection Service offices of the USDA, the department's licensed inspectors, state grain inspection offices, Canadian Grain Commission and throughout the commercial grain grading system. Equipment purchased for official use must be in accordance to the Approved Equipment list published in Equipment Handbook, and applicable Program Notice and Directives FGIS-PN-07-05.

Estimated Price $45,000

4. Authority Cited:

41 U.S.C 253 (c) (1), and FAR 6.302.1,

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

GIPSA's standardization of equipment used within the official grain inspection system requires the specific make/model of equipment.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

This is a fixed price item for all vendors. Carter Day is the manufacturer versus a whole sale organization

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

The anticipated cost to the Government is reasonable based on Contracting Officer's industry knowledge and comparison to other laboratory equipment. None

8. Market Survey:
GIPSA continuously searches the market for new products and has procedures in place to test and verify the information to bring it into use.

9. Any Other Facts:

GIPSA is aware of no other manufactured equipment of this specific type/use. No other manufacturers have approached GIPSA to review their equipment/obtain approval.

10. Other Sources Expressing an Interest:

None

11. Actions the Agency may take to remove Barriers:

GIPSA management would have to change the approved equipment list after thorough evaluation of other products if they exist.

12. Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance that is included in the Justification and Approval is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
///Approved GIPSA Technical Advisor////

13. Procuring Officer Certification:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance included in the Justification and Approval is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

////Approved Nathan Johnson Contracting Officer////