A16_JOFOC_signed_2.pdf

Attachment 6

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

In accordance with the authority granted under 41 U.S.C. 253(c), this request for award under other than full and open competition is hereby submitted.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) - Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Procuring the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Fire Detection Points and Fire Image Collection from University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geographic Information Network of Alaska (UAF-GINA). These data must be available in near real-time. Near real-time (NRT) is defined as 15 to 35 minutes after satellite pass.

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

Due to the circumstances described below, request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of the BLM requirement NRT VIIRS Fire Detection Points and Fire Imagery Collection.

UAF-GINA provides the only source of direct broadcast (near real-time) VIIRS satellite-derived data products for Alaska.

Access to near real-time VIIRS data is a critical component of BLM-AFS wildland fire detection, monitoring, and management.

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

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, UAF-GINA has been the only Alaska provider of near real-time (NRT), satellite-derived wildland fire monitoring data products and has been providing them AFS since 2003. The products are critical for AFS and our interagency partners because they provided NRT information on wildland fire location, spread direction, behavior, and potential intensity several times per day. Access to this NRT information has changed the way AFS identifies, maps and monitors fires, significantly reducing cost and exposure to agency personnel.

In recent years, UAF-GINA has been producing VIIRS Fire Color (375 m) products and providing these products for download by AFS and our partners in NRT. The VIIRS Fire Color images compliments the fire heat detection points derived from the same instrument. When taken together, the VIIRS Fire Color images and fire heat points provide fire managers and fire behavior analysists with a clearer understanding of fire extent and behavior. This is especially true for wildland fires burning far from population centers.

The ability to easily incorporate the VIIRS Fire Color images into the existing ArcGIS Online-based Alaska Wildland Fire Information web application would significantly reduce the technological barriers encountered by users needing easy access to this information. Because AFS has built its web mapping application using the ArcGIS Online platform, a publicly available REST1 Image Service is the preferred solution.

The estimated value of this acquisition is $1,121,107 (over 5 years).

4. An identification of the Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition:

41. U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2).

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

The VIIRS sensors are deployed on polar-orbiting satellites and their flight paths cross Alaska multiple times a day. Because UAF-GINA has access to data collected by receiving located in Fairbanks, Alaska, they receive and process updates from the satellites several times a day. As such, they have the ability provide near real-time information pertaining to fire behavior. This near real-time information is critical to AFS and its partner’s ability to provide the safest wildland fire suppression services in Alaska.

UAF-GINA can process and distribute VIIRS data within 15 to 35 minutes of satellite overpass. While these data are available directly from NOAA and NASA, there is a much longer delay between when data are acquired and when they are made available for use (+18 hours or longer). This time lag severely limits the utility of this data and the ability to inform safe real time operational and tactical decisions. In addition, neither NOAA nor NASA generate the VIIRS Fire Imagery products on a regular basis.

This vendor has unique qualifications because no other entity offers the combination of services provided within the “Near Real-Time” timeframe of 15-35 minutes.

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

5.202 applies:

UAF-GINA provides the only source of direct broadcast (near real-time) VIIRS satellite-derived data products for Alaska. A notice of sole source order will be publicized on SAM.gov

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

The anticipated cost is determined to be fair and reasonable based on historic contract pricing with economic adjustments, IGE, and WDOL.

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

VIIRS data are also available directly from NOAA and NASA. However, there is a much longer delay between when data are acquired and when they are made available for use (+18 hours or longer). This time lag severely limits the utility of these data to inform tactical decisions. In addition, neither NOAA nor NASA generate the VIIRS Fire Color product on a regular basis.

The other alternatives to the VIIRS and MODIS-based fire extent and behavior data include data from Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 (USGS satellites), Sentinel-2 (European Space Agency satellites) and data collected by aircraft. While Landsat 8, Landsat 9 and Sentinel-2 data are an excellent resource for mapping fire perimeters, lag between data collection in a specific area limits its utility in informing tactical decisions. AFS staff flying in fixed wing aircraft can collect fire extend and behavior data daily, but this activity is cost prohibitive, places people at risk and incapable of providing a statewide consistent fire behavior product. Furthermore, the footprint of VIIRS data far exceeds what one or multiple aircraft could ever cover in a single day.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition FAR 6.303-2(a) (9)):

A pre award Notice of Intent to Sole Source has been published on a GPE with each previous sole source requests. No entity has reached out to Alaska Fire service expressing interest in the requirement.

10. A listing of 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:

Though there is no clear way to change barriers of entry for this project, we will continue to reach out to other possible vendors annually to assess interest and capability for competition.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, hereby, certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or scheduled requirements, and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Requisitioner’s Signature Date I, hereby, certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer’s Signature Date

Date_2: 7/14/2022