This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation, Notice of Intent. The Midwest area for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to Campbell Scientific, Inc., 815 West 1800, Logan, UT 84321. This is a sole source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a requirement of the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit (CSWQRU), MWA, USDA at Columbia, Missouri for Data Loggers and Telemetry related equipment in order to improve and/or expand upon the existing Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network. The existing Radio Telemetry Network is designed to work together and communicate between each site as needed to transmit data to a central location. Therefore, all equipment has to be compatible using the same software. The current Network is controlled by Campbell Scientific, Inc. software and equipment. The current requirement of Data Loggers and Telemetry related equipment must be compatible with the existing software and equipment. The equipment and software from Campbell Scientific is proprietary. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written (mail or email) responses, including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement. Responses must be received in this office within 10 calendar days after publication of this notice. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with Campbell Scientific, Inc. without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 6.303-2(a)(1)).
USDA, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, Midwest Area, Procurement & Property Section.
2. Nature/Description of Actions(s) (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)).
a. This contracting action is to obtain Data Loggers and Telemetry related equipment to be used for research purposes.
3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)).
The requirement is to purchase Data Loggers and Telemetry related equipment in order to improve and/or expand upon the existing Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network.
4. Identification of Statutory Authority (FAR 6.303-2(a)(4)).
10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), FAR Subpart 6.302-1. The services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of services will satisfy the Agency requirements.
5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique qualifications (FAR 6.303-2(a)(5)).
a. Only one responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will satisfy Agency Requirements (FAR 6.302-1(a)(2))
(1) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)) states,
"When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or for DOD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for."
(2) The requirement is to purchase Data Loggers and Telemetry related equipment in order to improve and/or expand upon the existing Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network. The Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Missouri operate a Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network. The network is controlled by Campbell Scientific, Inc. equipment and software. Any equipment that is purchased to improve and/or expand upon the existing network must be compatible with the existing software. The equipment and software from Campbell Scientific, Inc. are proprietary. In 2008, extensive market research was done in order to determine the best option for upgrading the Rain Gage Network. It was determined that Campbell Scientific, Inc. was the best option. Therefore, a decision was made to purchase all equipment related to data loggers and telemetry equipment from Campbell Scientific, Inc. in order to guarantee compatibility across all sites included in the system. It was also determined that future purchases of equipment and/or software to improve and/or expand upon the Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network would also need to be purchased from Campbell Scientific, Inc. because of the importance of compatibility and the proprietary properties of the equipment and software.
6. Federal Business Opportunities - FedBizOpp.gov (FBO) Announcement/Potential Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(6)).
a. A Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) synopsis is published in an attempt to identify other possible vendors of the required consumable.
b. USDA/ARS does not anticipate other qualified sources; however, should any responses be received, they will be evaluated to determine if they can meet future needs of the Government.
7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (FAR 6.303-2(a)(7)).
After a thorough web search, price comparisons between Campbell Scientific, Inc. equipment and other vendors who sell similar equipment was able to be made.
8. Description of Market Research (FAR 6.303-2(a)(8)).
Extensive market research was done in order to determine the best option for upgrading the Rain Gage Network. It was determined that Campbell Scientific, Inc. was the best option. It was also determined that future purchases of equipment and/or software to improve and/or expand the Rain Gage/Radio Telemetry Network would also need to be purchased from Campbell Scientific, Inc. because of the importance of compatibility and the proprietary properties of the equipment and software. There were also comparisons with other vendors who sold similar equipment.
9. Any Other Supporting Facts (FAR 6.303-2(a)(9))
There are no other supporting facts.
10. Listing of Interested Sources (FAR 6.303-2(a)(10)).
No other sources are available at this time.
11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition (FAR 6.303(a)(11)).
A notice of intent to award on a sole source basis is posted in FedBizOpps in order to see if any other vendors could possible meet the entire requirement.
12. Technical Requirements and Certifications; (FAR 6.303-1(b) and FAR 6.303-2(b)).
I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: (FAR 6.303-1(A), 6.303-2(A)(12)).
I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name: Brionna D. Wade
Title: Contracting Officer

Bid Protests Not Available