Single Source Justification for Subsoiling Mini Excavator (track mounted) with Penetrating Tongs and Operator

In accordance with FAR 13.106 (b)(1)(i) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold: Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). JUSTIFICATION FOR SINGLE SOURCE The Forest Service desires the services of a Subsoiling Mini Excavator (track mounted) with Penetrating Tongs and Operator. The following efforts and market research have been done to seek competition. According to an article by Forester, Bob Monk titled "Multipurpose Subsoiling Excavator Attachments" (see reference below) subsoiling is a new method used for subsoiling and restoring land that has soil-productivity issues. These new methods were developed to cut the cost of restoration activities and to ensure a satisfactory result. Ref. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Technology & Development Program 2400-Forest Management 0424 1804-SDTDC Revised June 2009 Only a few successful subsoilers have been made to date. The article mentioned above, gave the following references for information on pricing and questions. Subsoiling Grapple Rake (SGR) Kilkenny Machine Company 4380 North Umpqua Highway Roseburg, OR 97470 541-672-5147 Subsoiling Excavator Bucket (SEB) Shamrock Steel Fabricators Inc. 4125 McDougal Lane Eugene, OR 97470 541-688-5994 COR Dave Klug provided the following market research based on the above references. 1. Kilkenny Machine Company's rep said that they've sold the Subsoiling Grapple Rake (SGR) only to the Umpqua NF. 2. Shamrock Steel Fabricators have made one for the BLM in Montana. BLM's Jackie Woods, who procured it, said that she only knew of the BLM using the subsoiler attachment and not any contractors. Corey Meier, the COR, said he knows of no other subsoiling attachments used anywhere in the Northwest. Suggested trying British Columbia where he said sub-soiling began back in the day. COR Dave Klug left a message with Haley Construction, a local who has an excavator and works in the woods to check is they have subsoiler. COR Dave Klug called President Mike Herrick with Aquatic Contracting who has performed many road decommissioning projects. Mike said he'd never heard of anything like a subsoiling attachment. Dave said they just use a bucket on a large excavator to obliterate a road where soil mixing doesn't matter. A bucket face would tend to pull any organic material down into the soil as the bucket face and edging sink several inches down into the soil it penetrates. A basic excavator with a bucket will not suffice for a subsoiler. According to COR Dave Klug, Project Engineer and spec writer, Carlos Velez, said that he's never even heard of a subsoiling attachment on an excavator. Gerry Hills Corporation does have a Subsoiling Mini Excavator that would meet the need of the Forest Service. Based on the above authority and justification it's hereby deemed that only one source is reasonably available. The services of a Subsoiling Mini Excavator will be solicited directly to Gerry Hills Corporation.