127EAV24P0007 EE News Subscription FAR 13 Under SAT Justification SS justification_rw.docx

SOLE SOURCE or BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION (FAR 13 Under the SAT)

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED

State the requesting organization and the supplies or services required. Include the total estimated value and the period of performance or required delivery timeframe.

USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region requiring subscription to Energy and Environment (E&E) News service.

2. JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLICITING FROM A SINGLE SOURCE or FOR A BRAND NAME

Provide a detailed reason why another vendor or another brand name cannot be used to provide the required supplies or services.

E&E News (Politico, LLC.) has provided a Sole Source document stating they are the sole and only source, owner, distributer, and provider of E&E News publications and services - Energywire, Climatewire, E&E Daily, Greenwire, and E&E News PM - the premier and essential source of daily comprehensive, timely, original, and objective journalistic analysis, news and information on significant policy, legislation, science, legal, regulatory, and industry developments across the environment and energy spectrum.

Energy and Environment (E&E) News provides coverage of energy and environment issues related to the business of the energy, agriculture, and environmental Congressional committees which have jurisdiction over the USDA Forest Service. The information reported in E&E News is critical for informing executive leadership in the Region of issues that will impact our collective work. Other brands/services offer comprehensive public policy platforms for news and legislative tracking but are not focused solely on energy and environmental issues. Furthermore, these additional services are not necessary and go above and beyond what is needed to keep our executive leadership informed on emerging issues.

3. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

Describe what market research was conducted in an effort to identify other vendors or brands suitable for the Government’s requirements; or provide the reason market research was not conducted.

Politico Pro, Congressional Quarterly, and Bloomberg Government News are all services that can provide similar news coverage, however, they all entail a robust and broad platform for tracking public policy at the federal and state level, while E&E News focuses solely on reporting news related to energy, climate, agriculture, and environmental issues facing Congress and related to the work of the Forest Service and offers subscriptions at a substantially lower price compared to the above mentioned vendors.

4. STEPS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE SINGLE SOURCE (or BRAND NAME) AWARDS

The government will continue to use market research to stay informed on new industry/market trends.

5. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is available for the required services.

Requesting Office: Southwestern Region, Office of Communication and Engagement

NAME: Robyn Whitney Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist

Concur/Does Not Concur: Concur