JOFOC_-_signed.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

CUI//PROCURE/SSEL

PROJECT NAME:

Continued Procurement of ABB Velocity Suite, Grid Map, and Velocity Suite Integration Database (VSI)

The Commission relies on software that provides analysis and access tools to a database of natural gas and electric market information including: cash and futures prices; pipeline bulletin board scheduled flow and capacity data; weather; capacity release; index of customer and other FERC related form information. This data needs to be available through open database connection (ODBC) to integrate with the current Commission’s IT setup, screens, and dashboards. The data also needs to be available through an easy to use point and click interface. Finally, the software also needs to provide a mapping feature that allows staff to easily create maps of natural gas and electric infrastructure, trading hub locations, etc. Further, the Commission has been using this product for years and has built a library of programming code that incorporates these products data into routine Commission analyses; even if this set of data were available elsewhere, reprogramming these routines would be costly.

The following Justification for Other than Full & Open Competition is prepared in accordance with FAR

Subpart 13.5 in accordance with 41 U.S.C 1901 or the authority of 41 U.S.C 1903.

1. ORGANIZATION:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Office of the Executive Director Acquisition Services Division

999 North Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20426

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

It is the intent of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is to obtain the “ABB Ability Velocity Suite” (VS), EV Grid Map add-on, and “Velocity Suite Integration Database” (VSI) for the aforementioned location.

The basis for limiting the sources for this acquisition is as follows: Surveillance processes and Commission mappings that allow us to analyze participant specific data and flows are driven off of VS’s identifiers. VS is unique in the broadness of datasets available through subscription and offer a wealth of easily accessible data for use by the Commission.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

In accordance with Goal 1 of the Commission's Strategic Plan, the government has a need to procure information on energy markets, participants, infrastructure, and transactions; along with analytical and mapping software. Additionally, it needs a generation and transmission modelling system to run simulations and forecast prices. Lastly, it needs back end database access to this data for use in staff business processes. The estimated dollar value of this procurement is $236,800/year.

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(3) in accordance with:

[X] 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, defined below:

FAR 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering development or research capability; or expert services.

5. DEMONSTRATE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:

Velocity Suite is unparalleled in its acquisition and integration of data from sources such as FERC, NERC, EIA, EPA, MSHA, NCEI, NWS, RTOs/ISOs, PRAs, and Canadian authorities. The work performed by ABB to get these sources unified in participant and geographic data spaces is substantial. Multiple branches of staff would be needed to recreate EV’s services provided back to FERC on FERC form data alone. No other product touches the breadth of these data sources and integrates them with relational layers in as transparent a fashion with back end database access. No other product provides the front-end user-friendly query, analysis, and mapping tools to work with these data sources. Further, the Commission's longtime use of this product has enabled us to develop routine applications that use this data as it is structured.

6. SOURCES SOUGHT EFFORTS:

Staff analyzed other products, many of which FERC already subscribes to, and compared data sources available, analytical and mapping capabilities and back-end transparency of the data.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR & REASONABLE PRICING:

ABB Ability products including Velocity Suite and PROMOD provide far more in service than can be provided by a few FTEs at far less than the cost of a few FTEs. Existing contracts for data, tools, and analysis from other vendors, such as SNL, YesEnergy, OATI, Bentek, etc. run in similar price ranges.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED & RESULTS:

As described in the unique qualifications section, the breadth of integrated data, the analytical tools, and the access to the data provided in VS are unparalleled. Between sources such as FERC, NERC, EIA, EPA, MSHA, NCEI, NWS, RTOs/ISOs, PRAs, and Canadian authorities, the breadth cannot be matched by other products providing back end access.

While SNL provides a few additional sources of data it is not as comprehensive. While Bentek provides data and analysis, it has nowhere near the transparency on data mappings, nor does it have the same level of back end access. YesEnergy, while used heavily in the power space, provides bare bones functionality with respect to gas and fuels.

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

COMPETITION:

There is a limited space of vendors with commercially available natural gas and power data acquisition and analysis solutions. Because the Commission purchases services from many of the vendors in the space, we understand what is currently available in the market. Additionally, many existing businesses processes at FERC are specifically dependent on how VS structures data. The time required for new development of a product would inhibit surveillance needs and would realistically create costs well exceeding those on a commercially available product. Consideration of those products commercially available rather than new development projects is prudent from both a perspective of schedule and budget.

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

THE ACQUISITION.

None

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:

None

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.

Steven Reich Date

Senior Technical Advisor

Division of Analytics and Surveillance Office of Enforcement

Contracting Officer Certification:

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

Sonja Ablola Date

Contracting Officer

Acquisition Services Division Office of the Executive Director

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

9/11/2019