Redacted SSJ.pdf

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

a. Project title. Globus High Assurance Subscription Renewal

b. Project description. See Attached SOW

• Requirement type.

Information technology (IT)

• Type of action.

New requirement

• Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price

• Acquisition identification number.

Requisition Number:

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

The total estimated value is The Period of Performance is 08/01/2024 07/31/2025.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i)

(b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name, or industrial mobilization).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s). Globus

The University of Chicago 5801 S Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60637

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s).

Globus software is the industry standard for large file transfers. As such, it is used by super-computing sites, other Government entities, and research and academic communities. This software is required to allow NCI to collaborate with both internal and external collaborators and research institutes. Globus is vital to have appropriate, secure, and user-friendly tool to support research goals. Research Data is transferred directly between the source and destination systems while Globus tunes performance parameters, while maintaining security, monitoring progress, and validating correctness.

Based on market research results, Globus is proprietary software that is only available as a yearly subscription by the University of Chicago. It is the only commercially available product that can properly maintain all the essential functionalities required in supporting NCI’s need to transfer data to and from the NIH Biowulf super-computing facility. There is no other compatible software that can support the NCI with this need and no known third-party providers that can provide the software, add-on features, and support required.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a SAM.gov notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A notice of intent to sole source this requirement was publicized on the Government-wide point of entry (GPE) www.SAM.gov form April 4, 2024, to April 15, 2024. No responses were received from industry this posting.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Project Officer completed the Independent Government Estimate (IGE) by referencing the commercial budgetary quote received from UC as well as past contract pricing. Based on this information, the Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Based on market research results, Globus is proprietary software that is only available as a yearly subscription by the University of Chicago. It is the only commercially available product that can properly maintain all the essential functionalities required in supporting NCI’s need to transfer data to and from the NIH Biowulf super-computing facility. There is no other compatible software that can support the NCI with this need and no known third-party providers that can provide the software, add-on features, and support required.

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

All facts have been previously detailed.

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No sources outside of the proposed sole source vendor expressed interest in writing.

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services.

NCI anticipates their needs will successfully be met in this Purchase Order. If upon completion of the anticipated Purchase Order, additional licenses are required, the NCI program office and the OA will conduct market research to determine if there are other sources available that can provide the required services. This market research will include a SAM.gov posting, an inquiry into whether additional vendors are available that would allow a competitive procurement, and consideration to whether the use of new solutions to the requirement are available, if applicable.