Intent to Sole Source Sensus 6" OMNI C2 Water Meters to Dana Kepner

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $3,000 AND UP TO $100,000 (See FAR 13.106-1) Date: July 24, 2012 PR Number: R1576123004 1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost): These Sensus 6" OMNI C2 water meters will replace very old and troublesome meters that have been undependable for quite some time, creating revenue losses. The new units will renew meter life operation and dramatically reduce down time and maintenance cost currently involved. Also, these new meters "constant read" even for low flow conditions, which old meters cannot do. Therefore all water use is captured that will in turn produce more revenue. The cost for four meters is $21,256.60 2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below): ___X___ Only one responsible source. ____ __ Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met. Explain: Sensus water meters provide the most technologically advanced large meter on the market today. Because we have a proprietary Sensus software auto read system that utilizes a touch read/remote read meter, the water meters must be compatible with this system. There is a touchread component on the water head that reads the water usage for the auto read handheld reader. The reader then transfers the data to the software. We use the information to bill water and sewer usage to the concessionaire and other contractors within Yellowstone. Only the Sensus water meters meet this requirement. Dana Kepner is the only authorized distributor for Sensus metering systems for this region. 3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest: We haven't found another meter comparable to the Sensus system during our market research and if we did, we would be required to replace this auto reading system due to compatibility issues. It would cost approximately $60,000 - $100,000 and additionally, we would have to change out all the other existing water meters (242) which would be approximately another $200,000. The expense of this would not be cost effective for the use of government funds. This system is interconnected from the water meter to the software. No other system will work without replacing the whole system. 4. If this is a determination for sole source, the Contracting Officer certifies: a. Only one source is available, or urgent and compelling circumstances exist. b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a). Bruce Sefton 7/24/2012 Project Officer Date Stacy Vallie 7/24/2012 Contracting Officer Date