Sole_Source_Justification.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND CONTRACTING AGENCY:

Contracting Activity Customer Agency

Department of the Interior Department of the Interior

BSEE/AMD BOEM/RED

45600 Woodland Road 45600 Woodland Road

Sterling, VA 20166 Sterling, VA 20166

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED:

This justification authorizes and approves the issuance of a sole source action to Ohio State

University (OSU) to characterize methane hydrate prospect distribution on the shallow continental shelf (1600-6000 ft of water) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Specifically, BOEM requires

OSU to evaluate five project areas that were selected based on availability of high-quality public 3D seismic data, the presence of previously identified bottom simulating reflectors (BSR’s), and well-log data that indicate the presence of gas hydrates.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S

NEEDS (Including the Estimated Value):

This procurement will provide analytical expertise to BOEM on the distribution of methane hydrate prospects in an area where BOEM has not performed a systematic evaluation of gas hydrate prospects. OSU will delineate discreet gas hydrate prospects, using full technological capabilities including Kingdom Suite, Petrel, TechLog, ArcGIS, and Global Mapper. OSU has access to a significant amount of the publicly available data from the National Archive of Marine Seismic

Surveys (NAMSS) website and a comprehensive inventory of wellbore data needed to begin this project.

The total estimated value for the base period is $110,000.00 for the 15 months of work required under this order.

4. AN IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

Identification of the justification rationale is 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source.

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUSITION REQUIRES USE OF

THE AUTHORITY CITED:

Market research was conducted by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and supports that only one vendor, The Ohio State University, is capable of providing 3D seismic mapping data for wellbore information on methane hydrate volumes available in the wells. OSU owns the database that can provide the information in the level of detail BOEM needs and provide the interpretation of the mapping data in the quality for BOEM to take action on the reports. Based on this, no other vendor can fulfill this requirement for the agency.

6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION 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 SUBPART 5.2 AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION

UNDER 5.202 APPLIES:

The Contracting Officer in addition to the COR conducted market research on this information. While the agency has obtained mapping and interpretation packages from other vendors such as Integrated

Geophysics Corporation or Furgo, the vendors are not providing wellbore information for detecting methane hydrate information. Although no other vendors can provide the mapping data and interpretation packages, because this requirement is greater than $25K a notice of intent to sole source will be posted to FBO.gov to allow vendors to submit a capability statement if they can complete this effort.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED

COST TO THE GOVERNEMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE:

A price analysis will be completed at the time of award and the agency will also request pricing from the vendor on similar sales to compare them to determine price is fair and reasonable.

8. A DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (PART 10) AND THE

RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED:

Market research was conducted and only one vendor has been found that can provide a response to this request due to the unique need for the level of information obtained from the database owned by the university.

9. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

N/A

10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST

IN THE ACQUISITION:

a. The Ohio State University (Vendor Size: Other than Small Business)

DUNS #: 105693949

1590 N High St. Ste 400; Columbus, OH, 43201-6000;

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:

The agency will evaluate future requirements to determine if other vendors mapping and interpretation packages can meet the need of the agency.

12. SIGNATURE BLOCKS:

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: _________________________ Date: __08/23/2019______________

Type Name: David Jablonski

Title: Contracting Officer