20F0014_Limited Source Justification_092320 redacted.pdf

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LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FOR AN ORDER/BPA EXCEEDING

THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6)

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

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Acquisitions,

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

This is a limited source justification for a new order. The anticipated award is a Firm-Fixed Price contract issued against GSA Schedule Contract Number GS-00F-022DA to Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.

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

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) uses Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) support services to provide training for the DNBi subscription. DNBi subscription includes thorough assessment, financial standing analysis, and the latest business news on companies of interest to ED and its programs.

These services enable ED to assess the financial condition of regulated entities, determine the risk an entity might pose to ED’s offices, and investigate entities. Also, D&B helps with software and administrative issues, as well as answers any questions regarding any other product offered by D&B.

Expected period of performance and total estimated contract value:

Expected Dates Estimated Value Base Period 09/27/2020 – 09/26/2021 $ Option Period 1 09/27/2021 – 09/26/2022 $ Option Period 2 09/27/2022 – 09/26/2023 $

TOTAL Estimated Contract Value $

4. Authority and supporting rationale. The following circumstance justifies limiting the source as supported below:

Only one source under the authority of FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

Dun and Bradstreet is the sole proprietor of DBNi subscription and there are no other companies that have copy or data rights to their product.

Without D&B support services to assist with DNBi subscription services, ED will not be able to assess the financial condition of regulated entities or determine the risk an entity might pose to ED’s offices.

5. Determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

(Insert PR/RFQ/BPA/Order number, as applicable)

IAW FAR.8.404(d), GSA Contracting Officer has already determined that the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) discounted total of this Order, if all options are exercised, represent the best value in meeting the government’s needs.

6. Market research conducted among schedule holders (or reason market research was not conducted).

Market research was conducted by reviewing GSA Schedule Contracts under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), Category 561450 Business Information Services (BIS). After review of these contracts, it was determined that no other Vendor provided the required services and D&B is the sole proprietor of their products.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

All supporting facts have been documented herein.

8. 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.

The agency will continue to conduct periodic market research to determine if another product or supplier can meet the Government’s need, prior to any future acquisitions.

9. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification.

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date Contracting Officer Representative

10. Approving Official Determination of Circumstance Applicability.

In accordance with the requirement at FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(xi), the undersigned approving official for this justification hereby determines the circumstance cited above at #4, Authority and supporting rationale, applies to this acquisition.

11. Contracting Officer’s Certification and Approval

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

For justifications >$250K up to $700K, my signature also serves as approval of the justification.

Date Contracting Officer