11-12-2024 Y80775 LSJ for OCIO Gartner November 2024 redacted_Redacted.pdf

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

OFFICE OF BUDGET, FINANCE AND AWARD MANAGEMENT

DIVISION OF ACQUISITION AND COOPERATIVE SUPPORT

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

GSA ORDER EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program, 41 U.S.C.

152(3), Competitive Procedures and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Sources Justification.”

The National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS), on behalf of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) proposes to award a task order pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(c), Limiting Sources for an order exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

(a) Type of action: Firm-Fixed Price Task Order against a GSA Contract

(b) Amount the current J&A is justifying:

(c) Brief Description: DACS intends to procure on a sole source basis, Gartner services from the following company:

Gartner Inc.

56 Top Gallant Road Stamford CT, 06902

3. Description of Supplies or Services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

In 2024, NSF established the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to ensure that information technology, technology innovation and data are supported by a centralized structure with the right resources, which will be critical to the agency’s mission now and in the future. Gartner Consulting will provide professional services support to accelerate development of NSF's IT governance structure and processes, to improve the alignment of agency business and IT decisions and to maximize transparency into IT resource utilization. Gartner Consulting services will complement and align closely with the research documents, teleconferences, webinars, and training events that are utilized by NSF through the use of its existing Gartner research and advisory services subscription.

Gartner Solution Qty Investment Period Unit Price Total Investment

Gartner Consulting Services engagement 1 December 1, 2024 –

January 31, 2025 $ $

Support for governance execution (optional task)

1 February 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025

Total Investment $

DIVISION OF ACQUISITION AND COOPERATIVE SUPPORT

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

GSA ORDER EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

4. The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A)(B) or (C) and a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service:

Authority:

Choose only one of the following three authorities:

☐ (A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays;

☒ (B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized;

☐ (C) 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-sources procedures.

Rationale:

Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(I)(i)(B) Gartner is the only firm capable of providing the specialized information technology-focused consulting services to support NSF's development and implementation of a new IT governance framework. Gartner provides multiple unique offerings that will support the NSF OCIO. Specifically, Gartner's applied research consulting personnel are able to leverage Gartner’s proprietary frameworks, benchmarks, methodologies, approaches and supporting data based on the latest market data, concepts and best practices developed by its research experts. Gartner's source research, toolkits, and frameworks are not transferrable to other private sector consultancies because Gartner does not have any resellers of its research tools or methodologies and related proprietary tools that are leveraged in Gartner Consulting frameworks. By using Gartner Consulting, NSF is able to virtually eliminate ramp up time, saving time, energy, effort, and funding while also leveraging Gartner's world class research, methodologies, and expertise.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

The order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

During our market research and benchmarking discussions with other federal agencies, NSF determined that Gartner offers unique services that are not available from other providers. Gartner Applied Research Consulting Services are an extension of Gartner research services that are already utilized in the NSF environment.

7. Any Other facts supporting the justification.

N/A

DIVISION OF ACQUISITION AND COOPERATIVE SUPPORT

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

GSA ORDER EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

8. A statement of the action, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

NSF will continue to evaluate alternatives to Gartner consulting services if future requirements arise.

9. Since this LSJ exceeds the SAT, posting is required in accordance with 8.405-6(a)(2).

10. Requiring Office Technical Certification

I hereby certify that the services described in this document represent the Government’s minimum need and the rationale which forms the basis for this justification is complete and accurate.

Nancy Kaplan, Chief, OCIO Business Management Branch Date

11.Contracting Officer Certification and Approval

I hereby determine that the circumstances described herein exist and that the information is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Kristina Price, Contracting Officer, DACS Date