Sole_Source_Justification_TARA_9-9-19.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

PROJECT NAME:

TARA

The following Justification for Other than Full & Open Competition (JOFOC) is prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 6.302-3.

1. ORGANIZATION:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Jean Marshall/NISS Branch 888 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20426

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

EPI is requesting 4 licenses of TARA software. The TARA Licenses will provide:

• Extraordinarily robust and speedy power flow calculations

• Array of transmission planning analysis functions, using both linear (DC) and non-linear (AC) solutions

• Customized analytical applications, including generation capacity deliverability analysis

• Optional optimization, outage reliability analysis (ORA) and automated model builder (AMB) functions

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT & VALUE:

DESCRIPTION:

When DEPO staff engineers do not have the same software used by filing applicants, more complicated less accurate workaround methodologies must to be considered. As more industry applicants submit studies using TARA, the more increasingly difficult it is for DEPO staff engineers to review these studies accurately and in a timely manner. This software will prove to be the most efficient way to get information needed for reporting purposes and in the most expeditious manner.

ANTICIPATED DOLLAR VALUE: $20,000.00

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE ACQUISITION SERVICES DIVISION IN ORDER TO SELECT THE APPROPRIATE

STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(2) in accordance with: (mark only one authority)

[ ] FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies and services will satisfy Agency Requirements;

[ ] FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and compelling urgency;

[ ] Other, define below:

5. DEMONSTRATE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:

TARA is a steady-state power flow software tool with modeling capabilities and analytical applications that extend beyond traditional power flow solution.

Using extraordinarily robust and speedy linear (DC) and non-linear (AC) power flow calculations, TARA integrates data checking, N-1/N-1-1 reliability analysis, transfer limit calculation, preventive and corrective dispatch, critical facility identification, reactive analysis, outage analysis, model building, and region specific tools for generation deliverability and reserve requirements analysis.

6. SOURCES SOUGHT EFFORTS:

Why is this specific Contractor the only one who can supply the service/product?

PowerGem is the developer and sole seller of the TARA software. Licensing of TARA is only available through PowerGem and there are no resellers for the software.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR & REASONABLE PRICING:

How did you reach the conclusion that the pricing was reasonable…market comparison, market survey, comparison shopping, etc.? No similar product to compare.

Was the service/product previously acquired? If so, Acquisition personnel will assist you w/historical and competitive data for this section. NO

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED & RESULTS:

How did you arrive at the decision to propose this Contractor as the service/product provider? This Vendor is the only person to sell the product

This contactor is the sole provider of the software, with no resellers.

9. ANY OTHER FACTORS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

Describe any factors that would make it difficult/more costly for another Contractor to provide the service/product.

This vendor is the sole provider of the software. It is imperative that the requesting office use the same software that is used by the industries that they are responsible for reviewing; therefore ensuring their ability to review them accurately and in a timely manner. This reduces the amount of human error in using workarounds to analyze and capture this data. This Software reduces waste in time and produces efficiencies for accurate and timely reporting.

10. A LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION.

N/A

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 SERVICES REQUIRED:

N/A

12. CERTIFICATIONS & APPROVALS: (Signatures are required)

Technical & Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance that are included in this document are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_______Jean Marshall_____________________________ ____04/14/16________________ Your Name: Jean Marshall Date04/14/16 Title: IT Specialist Office: Network Infrastructure and Support Services Branch

Contract Specialist Certification:

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

Name Date Contract Specialist Acquisition Services Division

Contracting Officer Certification:

Name Date Contracting Officer Acquisition Services Division

Competition Advocate Approval (required over $100,000.00):

I have reviewed the Justification and find the document adequately addresses the requirements of FAR Subpart 6.302-1.

Marc G. MacKeigan, Competition Advocate Date

Acquisition Services Division

Legal Review: (required over $500,000.00) I have reviewed the Justification and find the document adequate to support Other Than Full and Open Competition.

Attorney Advisor Date Office of General Council

Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) Certification: (required over $1M)

Anton C. Porter Date Executive Director Office of the Executive Director