RAS_-_SAM_Posting_Redacted_1.pdf

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6 and 40 U.S.C 501

SOL: 140D0425Q0565

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program.

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited-Sources Justification.”

Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, Division II, Branch II, on behalf of Bureau of Land Management.

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

This requirement serves as a sole source logical follow-on to establish a bridge between the ongoing services and the upcoming Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) recompete.

NexGen Technologies Inc.

UEI: E9FMJ1ESWH86

165 S Union Blvd.

STE 615

Lakewood, Colorado 80228-2213, United States

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

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) for the Rangeland Administration System (RAS) outlines the requirements for Application Operations and Maintenance support, which will be awarded as a logical follow-on to NexGen Technologies (GSA Contract # 47QTCA22D007C), which is a Small Business. The RAS provides grazing administrative support and management reports for the BLM and the public. The RAS serves as an electronic calendar for issuance of approximately 18,000 applications and 2,200 grazing authorizations (Permits, Leases, and Exchange-of-Use Agreements) per year, eliminating the need for manually processing these forms. The RAS also creates approximately 21,000 bills, and 13,000 compliance inspections per year. The RAS provides grazing bill distribution information to the Collections and Billings System (CBS) for tracking, collecting, and distributing grazing receipts. Additionally, the system maintains electronic files about allotments, authorizations, and grazing bill history that is also used for internal and external reporting.

SOL: 140D0425Q0565

Estimated value:

amount with FAR 52.217-8

The period of performance is a 6-month Base and a 6-month Option Period. In accordance with FAR 52.217-8, a maximum of six one-month options will be included.

4. The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)C – In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

The requirement is being pursued as a sole source award to NexGen Technologies, which is a Small Business, citing FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C). The Contracting Officer has verified that the current order, 140L0620A0013 / 140L0621F0378, was competed under a multiple award BPA, and has determined that FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) serves the best interests of the government for economy and efficiency. This decision is crucial due to the high risks and potential impacts the agency could face, including significant operational disruptions, data fragmentation, financial challenges, and increased operational costs. Such issues could jeopardize compliance with statutory requirements, including the Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. §§ 315-316o) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. § 1751), as amended by the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. § 190). Furthermore, the absence of RAS would hinder effective decision-making and expose the agency to security risks, ultimately undermining the integrity of grazing management and financial operations.

If this requirement is not awarded as a logical follow-on, the Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT) would increase from approximately 30 days to around 90 days or more. This delay would negatively impact BLM's mission, as they would lack the necessary support to maintain the RAS system.

Competing this requirement as a new task order would require more labor hours, increasing administrative costs. Additionally, since the incumbent, NexGen Technologies (UEI: E9FMJ1ESWH86), already has firsthand knowledge of the requirements, they are likely to offer better pricing due to their familiarity and lack of a learning curve. Therefore, from an administrative cost and vendor pricing perspective, a logical follow-on would be more economical and efficient.

Furthermore, the BLM Contracting Office is currently in the process of competing a new BPA, which will be used for future orders similar to this requirement. Competing the task order now would not benefit the government and would cause further delays, costs, and time.

SOL: 140D0425Q0565

The findings indicate that continuing with NexGen Technologies is the most suitable option. NexGen Technologies has a strong track record and firsthand knowledge of the project requirements, enabling them to effectively meet the needs outlined in the PWS without delay. Additionally, awarding this as a sole source logical follow-on sole source is more efficient and economical, ensuring continuity and cost-effectiveness for the Government. Moreover, this approach will ensure efficient service delivery while supporting small businesses.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

Not Applicable.

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

This requirement serves as a logical follow-on and a temporary bridge, consisting of a 6-month base period with an additional 6-month option period, and the potential for a FAR 52.217-8 option. As this requirement is currently in the process of being recompeted, no further action is necessary to address any barriers at this time.