140D0420Q0347 - Sole Source Justification_FBO_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901 Solicitation 140D0420Q0347

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

This document is a Sole Source Justification for the Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division II Branch II on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI).

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

The proposed action is a new requirement to award a sole-source contract to the University of Chicago for the integration of the University’s Pediatric Cancer Data Commons (PCDC) with NCI’s Cancer Research Data Commons (CRDC).

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The objective of this acquisition is to provide program and technical support services for the NCI’s ongoing efforts in pediatric cancer research and treatment in support of White House-directed cancer initiatives. Specifically, support is required for pediatric cancer data harmonization, integration, and use capabilities for the national Pediatric Cancer Data Commons.

The contract will provide several categories of informatics and program support services, including the necessary professional skills for:

Clinical and research data harmonization and integration;

Data transfer and migration from multiple specialized databases;

Instantiation of cloud-based data access infrastructure;

Data quality assessment and assurance;

Infrastructure capability demonstration; and Project and Program management to support the above activities.

The estimated value is for a single 18-month period of performance for non-severable services.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The primary objective of this requirement will be the integration and harmonization of the University of Chicago’s PCDC with the NCI’s CRDC. The University of Chicago created and maintains the PCDC, and as a result possesses unique qualifications to provide the data migration and harmonization services required. Additionally, the University’s existing work on the development of NCI’s Center for Cancer Data Harmonization (CCDH) provides them with the unique capability to quickly and effectively implement this high-priority White House pediatric cancer initiative. The University’s development of, and ongoing work on, the PCDC and CCDH suggests that they are the only source capable of providing these services in accordance with the Government’s technical and cost objectives.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted to the System for Award Management (SAM) on May 20, 2020 with responses due May 26, 2020. No responses were received.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer anticipates that the price will be fair and reasonable based on the estimated level of effort in the Initial Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and the use of the University of Chicago’s HHS-approved Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Agreement

. Additionally, the University’s status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution means that they will not be seeking profit as a result of this work. A final determination of price reasonableness will be made prior to contract award.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by reviewing program requirements with NCI and discussing harmonization capabilities with the University of Chicago. The primary objective of this requirement will be the integration and harmonization of the University of Chicago’s PCDC with the NCI’s CRDC. Market research determined that since the University of Chicago created and maintains the PCDC, they are the only source capable of performing the data migration and harmonization activities required.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

The NCI program office reviewed all known efforts in pediatric oncology research data collection, harmonization, sharing, integration, and the tools available for access and use of research data. It has been determined that the University of Chicago has the requisite experience working on projects directly applicable to the Governments requirement and is the most knowledgeable source for the requirement, processes, and data involved.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

1) University of Chicago

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

This acquisition is a one-time data integration and harmonization effort. No subsequent acquisitions are anticipated for these services.

14. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

Melissa Onyszko Date Branch Chief

Concur

Heidi Herron Date Division Chief

Approve

Mike Whalen Date Bureau Competition Advocate