JOFOC -FBO Posted Digital Email Subscription.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity: HQ HUD OCPO/NOA

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

This is a new purchase order for a 12-month base year and four 12-month option years for digital email subscription management system to be used exclusively by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public Affairs (HUD OPA). The Contractor would collaborate with the management of HUD OPA in setting up digital subscription options, identifying administrators of the digital subscription options, placing HTML links to digital email subscription features on state websites and providing hosting and management services in support of user profiles and subscriptions at state facilities. The Contractor would work with state website administrators to identify content that administrators and project sponsors wanted to promote and distribute using email, RSS feeds and other means.

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

The Contractor would be required to provide a base period of 12-months plus four 12-month option years of their digital email subscription management system to be used exclusively by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public Affairs (HUD OPA). The Contractor would collaborate with the management of HUD OPA in setting up digital email subscription , identifying administrators of the digital email subscription , placing HTML links to digital email subscription features on state websites and providing hosting and management services in support of user profiles and subscriptions at state facilities. The Contractor would work with state website administrators to identify content that administrators and project sponsors wanted to promote and distribute using email, RSS feeds and other means.

The Estimated value of this requirement for a base period of 12-months and four 12-month options is $369,000.00

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

Sole source acquisitions. Acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition procedures are exempt from the requirements in Part 6. The procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 were used in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901

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

Granicus was providing HUD OPA’s digital email subscription under an IAA through DOI Federal Consulting Group. The Contracting Officer Representative performed extensive Market Research and determined that Granicus’ was the digital email subscription used by over 400 other federal agencies across the 15 Cabinet level agencies and that procuring directly through Granicus, the only one that can provide the services required at the level of quality required because the services ordered are unique or highly specialized. As stakeholders, hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens rely on Granicus’ network to secure government information daily.

(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 Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

In addition to searching on Google, SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) Tool, Library of Congress and the GSA schedules, as well as general internet search by key words for firms who could potentially provide these services. No other company was found who could provide similar services at the level that the program office required. A Sources Sought Notice was published through FEDBIZOPPS (FBO) requesting vendors to submit their capabilities statement in response to the notice in order to find other sources that could provide a digital email subscription. Four vendors responded with one a reseller of Granicus and Granicus the only one that can perform all task required.

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

The contracting officer will compare the contractors proposed price to the IGCE, and / or historical prices. By utilizing at least one of these methods to determine fair and reasonable, it is anticipated that the cost to the Government will be 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:

Market Research included searching the following websites:

I. GSA schedule vendors; vendors capabilities were not within digital email subscription management requirements, II. SBA vendors contacted several vendors through phone and email communications that could possibly perform the contract requirement but only one vendor expressed an interest .

III. Ability One (this type of service is not available through the Ability One Program) IV. Library of Congress no vendors found.

V. Google search engine was used (contacted possible vendors through phone communication and only one vendor’s capabilities were within the digital email subscription management requirements

VI. Sources Sought Notice was posted on FBO. As a result of the Sources Sought Notice, the following companies responded showing interest in the requirement, Fed-Results, The Thomas Bros. Group LLC, Granicus, and Community Connect Labs.

(9) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

None

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

In response to the Sources Sought Notice, the following companies responded expressing interest in the acquisition; Fed-Results, The Thomas Bros. Group LLC, Granicus, and Community Connect Labs.

(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.

For future requirements of this nature, if any, the COR will again perform an internet search, DSBS search, search other agencies contracts and/or request that a Sources Sought Notice be published in order to find any other sources that may have entered into the market place who may be able to provide digital email management subscription services.