140D0421Q0244 Sole Source Justification v1.1 REDACTED_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

Solicitation # 140D0421Q0244

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, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division 1, on behalf of the DOI Office of the Chief Information (OCIO).

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

This is a sole source justification to establish a contract to maintain, and support Blue Marble Geographics Global Mapper software with the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) extension for the DOI, OCIO, with the Contractor Blue Marble Geographics. The DOI has a significant investment in Global Mapper software to accomplish mission critical tasks involving the display and analysis of geospatial data, especially LiDAR data. The current Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) contract 140D0418P0042 was awarded to streamline administration and costs for DOI Bureaus and Offices who were placing individual awards before the current ELA was awarded. Continuing support and maintenance on the previous Global Mapper ELA is essential to complete DOI geospatial mission critical tasks and maintain services for DOI Bureaus.

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

Global Mapper software is a low cost, easy to use Geographic Information System (GIS) application that offers access to geospatial datasets critical to DOI Bureau missions. This application provides a level of functionality both experienced and beginning users need to perform their tasks. This new award will provide continued maintenance and support to Global Mapper version 22.0 (v22.0), as well as the LiDAR extension. LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser, analyzing the reflected light. LiDAR use in DOI is expanding as a technology to make high-resolution maps, with applications in earth science and land management essential to completing DOI missions.

AQD intends to award a contract to Blue Marble Geographics. Based on SAM records, Blue Marble Geographics is a small business entity.

The Period of Performance (POP) is a 12-month Base Period beginning on April 5, 2021.

The Order will include two (2) 12-month Option Periods. Options will only be exercised if

Blue Marble’s upgrade path stays on schedule as it has the last several years.

The estimated dollar value is as follows

Base Period 04/05/2021 – 04/04/2022 REDACTED Option Period 1 04/05/2022 – 04/04/2023 REDACTED Option Period 2 04/05/2023 – 04/04/2024 REDACTED

TOTAL REDACTED

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 41U.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.

While other casual use geospatial desktop software provides the same base functionality as Global Mapper, such as Esri’s ArcGIS software, none come with a module to display and analyze LiDAR data. DOI currently has a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Intergraph ERDAS and Exelisvis ENVI software, both of which analyze and display LiDAR data.

However, these software packages are specific to remotely sensed data, are very expensive, and cannot perform casual use desktop functionality for all types of geospatial data. Global Mapper software is the only software of its kind that can perform casual use desktop functionality for various types of geospatial data at a fair and reasonable price.

A GSA Advantage search shows no equivalent offerings and Global Mapper software itself is not available on GSA Advantage at the enterprise level. Additionally, a search on the World Wide Web has also shown that this software can only be purchased through the developer. Blue Marble Group has indicated they have no plans to utilize resellers, but this will be analyzed through ongoing market research prior to any option period award.

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.

The Contracting Officer will publish a “Notice of Intent to Sole Source” per FAR 5.102(a)(6) “Availability of Solicitations” with the solicitation on Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) www.fedbizopps.gov.

http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

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

The Contracting Officer will ensure that the quoted price is equal to or lower than the vendor’s commercial prices. Additionally, the proposed price will be evaluated against the Independent Government Estimate based on historical data, and the Contracting Officer will determine whether cost to the Government is fair and reasonable.

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.

The Department of the Interior has a need for a low cost, easy-to-use GIS application that offers access to geospatial datasets. Market research has shown that the Government’s needs can be met by items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace.

A critical task of the Geospatial Enterprise License (GEL) group which includes all DOI Bureaus, is to constantly monitor the geospatial technology market place. This group has voted to continue pursuit of an unlimited use ELA for Global Mapper software since no other technology can perform casual use geospatial analysis in addition to LiDAR analysis.

Research still shows that there is no other software commercially available that encompasses all of the features and functionalities of Global Mapper software. Blue Marble Geographic is the only source that sells Global Mapper software with LiDAR. Additionally, Blue Marble Geographics only sells directly to customers and has no authorized resellers.

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

Not applicable

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

None

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.

AQD will request Blue Marble Geographics notify the Government should they begin offering the services through authorized resellers. The Government will continue to conduct market research in an effort to identify other vendors. Market research is continually conducted by the GEL group. If new technology emerges that competes with the Blue Marble Global Mapper and LiDAR module software, Option Period upgrades will not be exercised and a full and open competitive procurement will be pursued.