FBORFQSSJ20440PC8010.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP) FAR 13.106-1(b)

SOLICITATIONS MAY BE LIMITED TO ONE SOURCE ONLY IF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT ONLY ONE SOURCE IS REASONABLY AVAILABLE. THIS DETERMINATION MUST BE SUPPORTED WITH FULL JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE FROM THE CUSTOMER. WHEN THE CUSTOMER DESCRIBES AN ITEM WITH A PURCHASE DESCRIPTION WHICH LIMITS THE AVAILABILITY TO ONE SOURCE, THE JUSTIFICATION MUST EXPLAIN WHY THE ITEM IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUIREMENT. STATEMENTS SUCH AS "ONLY KNOWN SOURCE" OR "ONLY SOURCE WHICH CAN MEET THE REQUIRED DELIVERY DATE" ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE.

PURCHASE REQUEST OR REQUISITION NUMBER

21-20-440PC8010

PROJECT/TASK NUMBER

SINS-II

ESTIMATED AMOUNT (Over Micro-Purchase Threshold, but up to the SAT) $35,500.00

IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING OFFICE, AND SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION OF THE DOCUMENT AS A “JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.” PLEASE CITE THE AUTHORITY AND TYPE OF JUSTIFICATION.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology Service Center (C4ITSC), Contracts and Procurement Division (CPD), at the Command, Control and Communications Engineering Center (C3CEN) in Portsmouth, VA proposes to solicit and enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition to acquire National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) training services for USCG Electronics Technicians.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR Subpart 6.302-1 entitled “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.” Per 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED, AND THE INTENDED USE.

The Contractor shall provide a certified instructor to deliver the following National Marine Electronics courses and facilitate the respective certification exams at the end of course instruction.

1. Basic NMEA 2000 Installer training

2. Basic Marine Electronics Installer (MEI) training.

The Second Generation Scalable Integrated Navigation System (SINS-2) will be installed on nearly 1901 Coast Guard small boats and cutters as required by the U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control, and Communication Engineering Center (C3CEN). At a minimum, the SINS-2 system shall consist of 1 radar/chart plotter multi-function display, 1 global positioning system (GPS), 1 depth sounder unit, and 1 fluxgate compass, and one networking switch operating on a bus typology network using the NMEA standard. In order to understand the intricate details of the SINS2 system design and network topology at a basic level to repair and trouble shoot NMEA training is required. The NMEA network is one of the primary functional capabilities of this navigation system and the sole point of data distribution across all devices on the network. The two training courses highlighted in the statement of work will equip USCG technicians with the knowledge and tools needed to quickly identify and solve shipboard navigation system issues with various SINS2 configurations deployed on Coast Guard assets. This will significantly eliminate the need for paying third party support entities to troubleshoot SINS-2 network issues.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS THAT LIMIT AVAILABILITY TO ONLY ONE SOURCE, WITH THE REASON NO OTHER SUPPLIES OR SERVICES CAN BE USED.

The National Marine Electronics Association is the sole organization able to certify technicians in installing, troubleshooting, and repairing NMEA equipment. Currently no other organization can provide technicians with the credentials needed to perform these duties.

gfgfdsgsdfgfgfdgdfgf

A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT QUOTATIONS OR OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS PRACTICABLE (INCLUDE YOUR MARKET RESEARCH EFFORTS HERE).

A FedBizOps notice will be publicized as required by FAR 5.2. In accordance with FAR 6.305(a), the justification will be publicly available within 14 days after contract award at the Government-wide Point of Entry (www. fbo.gov).

REASON THAT SUGGESTED SOURCE IS THE ONLY SOURCE WHICH CAN PROVIDE THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES.

The National Marine Electronics Association is the sole organization able to certify technicians in installing, troubleshooting, and repairing NMEA equipment. Currently no other organization can provide technicians with the proper credentials needed to perform these duties.

EXPLAIN WHY AN ADEQUATE PURCHASE DESCRIPTION OR OTHER INFORMATION SUITABLE TO SOLICIT BY FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED OR ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

NMEA technology is used widely by the Marine Electronics industry, it has been a well known and tested industry standard since 1977. This standard provides the marine industry with a uniform interface standard for digital data exchange between marine electronic products. The source data for full an open competition has not been developed or is not available because it would have to come from an organization that uses uncertified equipment. This presents a challenge to the USCG, the primary reason the NMEA network architecture was chosen is for scalability and equipment interface capability. The ability to expand upon the existing equipment on USCG vessels and connect new components with old ones provides the organization a large cost savings benefit.

PROVIDE A STATEMENT OF ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE GOVERNMENT MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE FUTURE ACQUISITIONS ARE REQUIRED.

As long as no other vendors produce certifications that meet the Coast Guard’s specific needs for training Electronics technicians on NMEA equipment, NMEA will remain the only source capable to provide training. The Coast Guard will undertake proactive efforts including the publication of sources sought notices on www.fbo.gov and development of a solicitation with the goal of providing full and open competition for the follow-on contract to meet USCG maritime electronics certification requirements.

SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CUSTOMER

LT. ELTON MORRIS/USCG

CODE

N/A

TELEPHONE NUMBER

757-686-2166

DATE

02/05/2020

SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

JAMES A. LASSITER

CODE

C4IT

TELEPHONE NUMBER

757-686-2149

DATE

02/05/2020