Justification_for_Other_Than_Full_and_Open_REDACTED.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND CONTRACTING AGENCY:

Contracting Activity Customer Agency Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics Branch of Acquisition Management Office of Prices and Living Conditions

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

Current CE metadata storage systems are fragmented across processing phases, and highly dependent on phase-specific knowledge to use/query. There has long been a recognition of the need for a more standardized and centralized approach to creating, documenting, and maintaining the entire lifecycle of CE survey metadata. The objective is to [1] minimize errors from having the same information stored in multiple places, [2] facilitate efficient querying, and [3] improve efficiency and reduce costs by managing documentation and metadata in one system. As the survey instruments evolve to be more complex and flexible to meet the challenges of maintaining or improving survey response rates, an integrated system of managing survey metadata becomes increasingly critical not only to survey operations, but also for responding to internal and external data users.

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

NEEDS (Including the Estimated Value):

The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) has completed a pilot for metadata redesgin using the software Coletica Designer. After a couple years of research, CE realized that it needs three software tools within the suite in order to meet and maximize their program objectives.

CE needs additional licenses of Coletica Portal and Repository, and Blaise Colectica Questionnaires. CE also requires consultation from Colectica to deleveop assist with designing the program suite. The estimated value of this award is $27,995.00.

4. AN IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUSITION REQUIRES USE OF

THE AUTHORITY CITED:

This requirement involves using proprietary software that Colectica (Algenta Technologies) has developed. The Colectica Metadata Management Platform is proprietary to Algenta Technologies. No other source is available that provides the licenses and consultation for the Coletica software as it is proprietary. Furthermore, no other software are designed to

Loyet_A Sticky Note Accepted set by Loyet_A

Loyet_A Sticky Note Accepted set by Loyet_A document metadata using the data documentation initiative (DDI) standard and has all of the features that are included and beneficial to the Consumer Expenditure Survey program for adopting the DDI standard.

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:

A notice of intent to sole source will be publicized on Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) to see if any potential sources could fulfill this requirement.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNEMENT WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE:

To ensure that the price will be fair and reasonable, the data from the IGCE and published price lists will be compared with the proposal received from the sole source offeror in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(iii) and (vi). An award will be made only if it is shown that the anticipated cost to the government will be 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:

BLS searched GSA metadata software vendors and found 28 vendors. BLS reached out to these GSA vendors in May (2018) but none of them had the functionality that BLS needed.

BLS in May (2018) also searched to see if there were any inter-agency contracts could fulfill BLS’ requirement regarding metadata and found two results. The first result Metadata Technology North America INC. (MTNA), did have items that relate to metadata system building. They actually had some free software that we used, but is not to the level or sophistication needed for our multi-layered purposes. The second search result, International Bank for Reconstruction & Development did not have anything in terms of building a metadata system.

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:

Algenta Technologies (Coletica)

I1. 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:

N/A

I2. SIGNA'tURE BLOCKS:

The program/technical official further certifies that no conflict of interest exists in awarding a sole source contract to the contractor identified herein.

the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification,I certify that are accurate co111p lete to the best of my knowledge and belf f. ,, bLLn Dare: lltdtt Type Name: S Brown

Title: Prosram Analvst

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

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

Signature: Date:

Type Name:

Title:

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION:

Signature:

Ida Ryan

Contracting Officer

Loyet_A Sticky Note Accepted set by Loyet_A

Loyet_A Sticky Note Accepted set by Loyet_A