JEFO_-_REDACTED.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics

Agricultural Research Service

USDA, ARS, AFM, APD, Contracting Operations Branch 2150 Centre Ave, Bldg. D, Ste. 310 • Fort Collins, CO 80526

Phone: (970) 492-7006 • Fax: (970) 492-7049 • E-mail: Molly.Jackson@ars.usda.gov An Equal Opportunity Employer

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

TITLE: FY17 Census Visualization

CONTENT:

1. Contracting Activity:

Molly Jackson Contract Specialist

USDA, ARS, AFM, APD

Contracting Operations Branch 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg. D, Ste. 310 Fort Collins, CO 80526 Phone: 970-492-7006 Fax: 970-492-7049 E-mail: Molly.Jackson@ars.usda.gov

2. Nature/Description of Action:

In support of the USDA to become more "data-driven, and customer-focused," NASS Data Strategy Team conducted a Strategic Planning Session with NASS executives and stakeholders for the future of NASS data, considering the goals and vision of OneUSDA. The objective of the session was to discuss ideas to identify common themes for future of NASS data and document possible future direction and suggested next steps. Following the planning session, Data Strategy Team conducted a strategy session with identified members of NASS Senior Executive team to agree on two to three strategic objectives.

One of the recommended objectives was to improve visualization for the Census publications in support of USDA's mission to become customer centric and data driven. To achieve this specific objective, the Data Strategy Team developed a Data Dissemination Strategy to identify ways to make 2017 NASS Census data available for USDA's stakeholders in an improved, interactive manner, instead of current static PDF documents and tables.

To achieve this objective, the Strategic Data Vision project will deliver improved and interactive visualizations for the 2017 Census of Ag for NASS's internal and external stakeholders.

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The contractor shall complete the following tasks, in accordance with the Statement of Work:

• Create visual prototypes and obtain stakeholder feedback. It is expected these design sessions occur weekly over a 4 to 6-week period

• Collaborate with NASS communication leads to develop communication materials for internal and external publication

• Create job aides/training materials for the NASS help desk, Public Information Office or appropriate organization

• Support user acceptance testing

• Support roll-out on February 21, 2019 mailto:Molly.Jackson@ars.usda.gov

4. Statutory Authority:

In accordance with FAR 16.505 (b)(2)(i)(B)

(b) Orders under multiple-award contracts—

(2) Exceptions to the fair opportunity process.

(i) The contracting officer shall give every awardee a fair opportunity to be considered for a delivery-order or task-order exceeding $3,500 unless one of the following statutory exceptions applies:

(B) Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications:

Accenture worked with NASS on preparing for the 2018 Census of Agriculture data collection. Accenture is familiar with the Census data set and has also worked with the Census Bureau on their releases to the public. In addition, 2017 Census of Agriculture data for this effort will be housed in the USDA OCIO Data Lake. This same unique Data Lake is used to house data for other agency level data as well as data for the CXO dashboards. The CXO dashboards have seven administrative functions: human resources, IT, finance, property, procurement, security and operations. On behalf of the USDA Chief Data Officer (CDO), Accenture has already worked with USDA to create visualizations across each of these areas, and they are now working with additional agencies (i.e. Forest Service) to execute visualization of their programmatic data similar to NASS. Accenture is uniquely familiar with this Data Lake environment and how to execute on impactful visualizations for the benefit of USDA stakeholders. It is vital that NASS release the Census data in an easy to access format for the public.

Accenture has worked in detailed analyzing NASS data (Contract AG-3142-C-14-0008). If another contractor provided these services, it would raise the cost and slow down the strategy to provide data dissemination for the Census which is less than 3 months away. Accenture has the largest and most diversified group of technology and business process consultants, and a proven track record of effective delivery at NASS and USDA.

6. Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Announcement/Potential Sources:

An announcement is not required prior to award, per FAR 5.202(a)(6). This justification will be posted on FBO within 14 days after award and be available for 30 days, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D).

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost:

A fair and reasonable cost has been determined based on years of experience by the NASS Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on system development practices, procedures, staffing needs, fair market labor rates, and the mix of labor categories. In addition, the rates provided under NITAAC CIO-SP3 are considered to be fair and reasonable based on prior competition on the GWAC.

The final fair and reasonable price determination will also be based on a comparison of the proposed price with the prices paid on the prior contracts.

8. Market Survey:

NASS has explored additional sources for this effort, but Accenture has the most experience and is uniquely qualified due to the reasons given above. There are numerous vendors within industry that possess data visualization capability.

However, Accenture is the only vendor to have successfully deployed visualizations within the USDA OCIO Data Lake and they already have a team in place supporting the Chief Data Officer as noted in paragraph 5. There is little to no 'ramp up time' needed for them to support this initiative (critical to our success given the Feb 19 expected release).

The Chief Data Officer has endorsed their ability to manage and execute within the OCIO Data Lake and this is where the NASS source data will be housed. Given the short timeframe, Accenture is the best choice.

9. Additional Support:

None

10. Other Interested Sources:

None were identified

11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition:

Basic system documentation has been developed.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Requirements/Program Office:

I certify the facts and representations under my cognizance included in this justification form are complete and accurate basis for the justification.