1202SA22K9800- Janet Sulivan SIGNED.pdf

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United States Department of Agriculture Single Source/Brand Name Justification

Less Than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

Control No. (if applicable) 1202SA22R9800

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA Forest Service – Aviation Branch, Procurement & Property Services (PPS), Incident Procurement Operations

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

1) The USDA Forest Service intends on procuring specialized programming and code writing services, within the helicopter and airtanker contracting acquisition model database, in support of aircraft contract solicitations, evaluations, and award. The intent is to negotiate an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Joseph’s Coat, LLC, dba Janet Sullivan (hereafter referred to as “Janet Sullivan), to procure programming and technical writing services. The objective of these services is for the contractor to continue development and maintenance of proprietary tools and applications enabling program and contracting personnel to evaluate industry aircraft operators’ proposals for contract award. The tools and applications are used by offerors to populate aircraft specifications, pricing, and other particulars required within the solicitation.

This support includes the following:

• Leveraging prior experience and knowledge of existing code found in current pricing workbooks

• Producing software enhancements that are operable from USFS computers

• Utilizing the cost minimization approach from the previous helicopter optimization model to expedite program evolution

• Rigorous file management, version control and protocol documentation

• Leveraging Software expertise: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), GAMS

(mathematical programming), Microsoft Office, What’s Best (MS extension for mathematical programming and data analysis.)

• Database Design and management (FoxPro, Excel): develop and maintain efficient database to meet requirements of clients

• Database programming (SQL, Excel VBA): design and develop user interface and database management software applications to meet needs and requirements of clients

• Linear Programming / Goal Programming data management – data design, problem formulation and management of LP/GP software analytical tools.

• Excel Spreadsheet-as-database design and programming. User Interface design and programming. Data analysis and report programming (Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA))

3. Rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

Janet Sullivan, is uniquely qualified to provide these services to the Government because the requirement is for continued development and upgrade of existing pricing workbooks built with proprietary program code written by the contractor Janet Sullivan. The contractor’s prior knowledge of the existing program code and aviation proposal language is essential to be responsive to the known modifications and updates required by the

Page 2 Version 03152021 government enabling timely solicitation, evaluation, and award of contracts under the current exigent circumstance. Any contractor not able to leverage this prior knowledge would be unable to satisfy the government’s expected need. Additionally, this unique familiarity with the code and access to the database that this contractor has written cumulatively since 2007, as well as a currently installed (USFS purchased) specialized software license (LINDO What’s Best with Technical Approval), will expedite the work and ensure the spreadsheet tool functions in a manner that aviation managers can confidently rely on the computer support during evaluation, award, and any potential protests. If a differnet contractor was selected, they would need to reverse engineer this proprietary code in order to properly understand it, and update the program as needed. It would not be would not be cost effective nor timly to expect a new entity to reinvent the tools and applications currently being utilized. This would in turn not be in the best interest of the Government and would not bring the best value to the Government. The prior experience of this contractor also promotes adaptability during the current transition from the tradeoff source selection process to the LPTA source selection process, and to any future source selection variant the government applys. It’s deemed, pursuaint to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that only one source is reasonably available.

4. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was performed in accordance with FAR Part 10. The USFS intends to synopsise the intent to sole source and post this Justification through a Government Point of Entry (sam.gov). Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) such as GSA Schedule 70, and other GWACs on acquisition.gov were reviewed and the results revealed that this acquisition cannot be procured through these methods due to the proprietary nature of the coding and resultant tools. The Contracting Officer determines that ther is only one available source that can provide the identified support and coding expertise.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated value of these services is $250,000 over the life of the contract.

6. Recommended source(s).

No sources have expressed an interest in this acquisition.

Certifications

☒ The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete by ___David Gomez__, Program/Technical Personnel.

David Gomez National Helicopter Program Manager, Fire and Aviation Management

Contracting Officer (less than SAT). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Curtis Smith Vicki Keen Contract Specialist Contracting Officer