Nursery Seedling Container Purchase

The following Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is prepared in accordance with 6.302-1(c) Brand Name and 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. (a) Authority. (1) Citations: 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) 1. Identification of Agency: The USDA Forest Service, Washington Office AQM-Operations Branch. 2. Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved: The United States Forest Service International Programs (USFS/IP)requests that Stuewe and Sons, Inc. supply the US Forest Service's project for Sustainable environmental and Economic Development (SEED) with its nursery seedling containers. The Forest Service will grow several hundred thousand native seedlings and establish five native plant nurseries in various regions of Jordan over the next three years. In order to accomplish this task, the production of vigorous seedlings by local nurseries is crucial for future restoration success. The quality of native seedlings depends largely on the container model. Container shape and size can also enhance root growth after out-planting. In Jordan, USFS-sponsored consultants and tree nursery experts have witnessed common and frequent problems with nursery seedling growth. These problems include lack of water resources, spiral or bound roots in the container, and root growth into the soil below the containers. In order to avoid these common problems, the project technical specialists have recommended specific Stuewe and Sons, Inc. (based in Tangent, OR), http://www.stuewe.com/, Deepots (D19L and D27L) and their respective trays (D20T) for SEED participating nurseries. 3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Agency's Need Including Estimated the Value: Stuewe and Sons, Inc. Deepots and Treepots are long containers designed for roots to reach deep into the soil and are effective for tree plantings in low-moisture areas. These containers produce scientifically appropriate root-to-shoot ratios for tree survival in dry conditions, like Jordan. Both nursery container models are produced by Stuewe and Sons, Inc. Due to their shape and size, they are highly recommended for Jordan's landscape and native tree species. Stuewe and Sons, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of these containers. The estimated cost is between 23,000.00 and $40,000.00 4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (e.g., unique supplies or services that are available from only one supplier). This requirement is for supplies specific to a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer consequently, it does not provide for full and open competition, regardless of the number of sources solicited. 5. Demonstration That the Proposed Contractor's Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Requires use of the Authority Cited: The Stuewe and Sons, Inc. Treepot and Deepot nursery containers models are a trademark brand. They are designed and developed by Stuewe and Sons in their factories. They are uniquely qualified to supply the desired product for the project. Their containers have unique dimensions with depth and narrow diameters and are not manufactured by other nursery container companies. The pots are longer than their competitors with deeper ridges on the sides to promote downward root growth to the tip of the container length. The trays are also designed specifically to fit these custom-sized containers. For example, the Deepot D19L model has a cell volume of 19.2 cubic inches, a cell diameter of 2.5 inches, and a cell depth of 5 inches, and the D27L model requested has a cell volume of 27 cubic inches, a cell diameter of 2.5 inches, and a cell depth of 7 inches--both are larger than common seedling containers. Since the Forest Service's project in Jordan aims to update Jordan's native nurseries away from unreliable plastic poly bag containers to more effective methods, these unique-sized pots will provide benefits at outplanting and an easier equipment transition for nursery managers from large poly bags. tuewe and Sons, Inc. purchased the rights to the mold for the Deepot containers 20 years ago and have since made updates on the basic high quality plastic tructure. The company also owns the injection molds to make the tailored coordinating trays. Stuewe and Sons, Inc. manufactures these containers and trays at its two factories in the U.S. and China. The two most important Deepots for the SEED's work in Jordan are the D19L and D27L models. These models are only produced by Stuewe and Sons, Inc. at their factory in China. Therefore, these items will be sourced from the Stuewe and Sons, Inc. factory in China. The Deepot containers are also reusable and can be used by nurseries for over seven years, providing a much more effective and efficient alternative to traditional poly bags used in Jordan. 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: After consultation with silvaculture academics and professional tree seedling growers in the United States, Stuewe and Sons containers were recommended for their unique design features which match the soil conditions on the ground in Jordan. USFS technical staff conducted an exhaustive internet search of competitor nursery container manufacturers. Companies such as: Beaver Plastics, Ltd. (based in Vancouver, Canada), Jiffy Products (based in Norway), Nursery Suppliers, Inc. (based in PA, FL, and CA), and Lacebark, Inc. (based in OK), were considered. However, these suppliers do not produce containers with the specific deep and extremely narrow dimensions required for outplanting success in Jordan. A notice will be publicized accordingly. 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer That the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: A government estimate has been provided and will be utilized to negotiate a fair and reasonable price to the government. 8. Description of Market Research Conducted: The desired product is selected at the advice and recommendation of consulting technical tree nursery experts, including Dr. Anthony Davis, Director of the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research, at the University of Idaho. The Forest Service's technical staff reviewed the various types of nursery containers available in the market, but Stuewe and Sons, Inc. is the only company that manufactures seedling containers with the recommended dimensions for planting in an arid climate. An exhaustive internet search of competitor nursery container companies revealed that Stuewe and Sons is the only manufacturer which produces containers with the deep and narrow dimensions required for successful outplanting in extremely dry, summer season conditions. Other competitor nursery container suppliers considered were: ? Beaver Plastics, Ltd., http://www.beaverplastics.com/#agriculture ? Jiffy Products, http://www.jiffygroup.com/jiffy ? Nursery Suppliers, Inc., http://www.nurserysupplies.com/ ? Lacebark, Inc., http://www.lacebarkinc.com/ 9. Any Other Facts Supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition: Given the proven outplanting success of Stuewe and Sons, Inc. container seedlings, the company now sells millions of these specified containers to fruit, nut, and restoration tree growers. These containers are not designed for ornamental plants, but specifically for growing seedlings to survive for restoration in arid climates, with long, hot, and dry summers. 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 Required: This action where, as a commercial practice, is an equipment purchase which is specific to the company where it is procured. For this purchase there are no other companies that can provide the specialized equipment needed to support this mission.