07B1564 LSJ.pdf

L I M I T E D SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency, Contracting Activity and Document

The National Science Foundation (NSF) proposes a Limited Sources Justification (LSJ) for increasing the estimated value of all orders under a Federal Supply Schedule Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), number NSFDACS07B1564, with Acquisition Solutions, Inc. (ASI). The contracting activity is the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS). This document justifies the determination to increase the BPA value without competition.

2. Action Being Approved

NSF competed and awarded a 5-year BPA, NSFDACS07B1564, under contract GS-lOF-0308, to ASI on September 25, 2007. The BPA provides acquisition and program management support services to DACS and the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP). The estimated value of all orders issued under the BPA is $8,200,000. The BPA is currently in its fourth year and the total amount of orders issued to-date is $8,086,981. The action being approved under this LSJ is an increase ofthe BPA total estimated value by $820,000 or 10% to $9,020,000.

3. Description of Services/Supplies

In 2007, DACS and OPP began work on the re-competition of the Antarctic support contract (ASC). In anticipation ofthe complexity and scope of this effort as well as new and on-going work to support the NSF mission, the BPA was established to provide acquisition and program management support services for DACS and OPP.

Since award, nine separate orders have been issued to obtain contractor support personnel to assist OPP and DACS throughout the ASC re-competition; to provide program management support to OPP in its management and administration of the current ASC and other contracts in support of the program; and to provide acquisition support to the DACS Contracts Branch and Policy Office to meet critical priorities and to respond to requests and mandates from the Office of Management and Budget, the Government Accountability Office and the NSF Office of the Inspector General.

The original estimated value of this BPA was $8,200,000 over five years. However, support of NSF's mission requirements wil l exceed that amount. In less than four years, orders issued total $8,086,981 and there is a continuing need for support: DACS has requested approximately $450,000 of additional funding to be added to existing orders (NSFDACS09T1550 and NSFDACS10T1613); OPP has indicated an additional $200,000 in support may be needed after August 2011 (NSFDACSl 1T1244); and although current funding on the order supporting the ASC re-competition (NSFDACS08T1529) is estimated to cover post-award activities, it would not be unexpected i f more funding was needed given the level of effort required to support the procurement since 2007. Therefore, after discussions with the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative and DACS Contracts Branch Chief, the estimate for the increase of the BPA value is $820,000 or 10% to cover NSF's support requirements through the end of the BPA period of performance (September 30, 2012).

4. Justification Rationale

The increase to the BPA value is in the Government's best interest based on FAR 8.405- 6(a)(l)(i)(c) as a logical follow-on to a BPA established under competition. FAR 8.405-6(a) describes circumstances that may justify restriction of sources. This modification fits the circumstances stated under FAR 8.405-6(a)(l)(i)(c) which indicates, "In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-source procedures."

As stated in Item 3 above, the current and on-going requirements for support wil l soon exceed the originally awarded BPA value. In order to continue the support with minimal disruption to efforts underway, increasing the BPA value is the only prudent business option available that wil l meet the NSF mission.

5. Determination of Best Value

The contracting officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will represent the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) where GSA schedule pricing is already deemed fair and reasonable. Furthermore, under the BPA terms, NSF receives a j i d i s c o u n t on ASI's GSA schedule rates as well as progressive volume discounts based on total amounts invoiced.

6. Market Research

Market research was not conducted as the increase to the BPA value is essentially a follow-on award to a competitive BPA. Due to factors explained in the paragraphs above, market research was not pursued.

7. Additional Facts:

There are no other facts supporting this justification to be listed under this item. A l l supporting facts are stated in the preceding and following paragraphs.

8. Removing Barriers to Competition

The BPA wi l l expire on September 30, 2012. A re-competition of this requirement will be conducted in FY 12 should the need for continuing these services be required. However, as explained above, this increase to the BPA value is necessary in order to meet new and on-going support requirements for DACS and OPP. The only barriers that remain to prevent a competition are the current need for continuity of services provided during the advance stages of proposal evaluations for the ASC procurement.

9. Certifications/Coordinations/Approvals

Program Officer/COTR

(DACS):

Contracting Officer:

Office of the General Council:

Chief, DACS Contracts Branch:

Competiticp?Arivocate, Contracts Branch:

I hereby certify that the supporting technical data presented in this Limited Source Justification are complete and accurate.

Carolyn Smith Date

I assure that a detailed analysis wi l l be performed on all proposed prices to assure that they are fair and reasonable. I also certify that this Limited Source Justification is complete and accurate.

Mary C. Rous^ Date

1 hereby concur xj^rij^Kis Limited Source Justification.

Date

I hereby concur with this Limited Source Justification.

MIL

^.^jreg Steigerwald Date

I hereby concur with this Limited Source Justification.

B ^ r f B n ^ e l l / / Date

Page 3 of3