A-4_HURREVAC_OM_JA_Redacted.pdf

Contracting Division

NAB-17-0021

JUSTIFICATION AND

APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION AFARS 5.153.303-5

NAB-17-0021

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: Approval is being requested for a new Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order with Sea Island Software for an FY17 HURREVAC Operation, Maintenance, Program Development, and Training contract.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES OR NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION:

The work to be performed is the continued operation, maintenance, program development, and training support for HURREVAC for 2017. The estimated value is .

The multi-agency National Hurricane Program (NHP) is a partnership between FEMA, the USACE, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and supports Federal, State, and Local Government hurricane planning, preparation, and response through various products, tools, and services. Established in 1985, the NHP has prepared numerous Hurricane Evacuation Studies (HES’s) and provided tools and technical assistance to support State and Local Governments in developing hurricane evacuation and response plans. To support the management of HES data, the NHP commissioned through a grant from FEMA to develop the Hurricane Evacuation (HURREVAC) software program. HURREVAC software has been used by Government Emergency Managers to assist their hurricane evacuation decision making. HURREVAC is a restricted-use, not commercially available, real time computer software program. Its intent is for Government emergency managers to both track hurricanes and get real-time forecast information, and to provide evacuation timing guidance for communities based on information developed during the HES process, and real-time forecast data distributed by the NHC. The program provides a common operating picture t o support hurricane response across all levels of Government. HURREVAC has over 12,000 registered Government users at all levels.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) and, FAR 6.302-1 and DFARS 206.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

Sea Island Software is the developer of the HURREVAC program and is also responsible for the development, maintenance, upgrade and training support of the program. Sea Island Software is the only known entity with technical operational knowledge of the program, including advanced meteorological experience, critical programming and data feed requirements. This is a restricted use program that is not commercially available. This software was developed specifically for Federal Government use in response to tropical cyclone events nationwide and there is no known contractor that would be able to take over these tasks without a significant amount of training, capability, and infrastructure development. It would also be cost prohibitive to the Government to procure the services from another contractor because of the start- up fees to develop, maintain and train users. Program availability is important throughout the year to support decision making in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins, to hurricane response exercises and training programs conducted.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: A Sources Sought notification was posted FedBizOpps on April 10, 2017. Three (3) contractors provided capability statements in response to the notice, however, the information supplied by all three lacked the experience with maintaining software with a real time data feed. In addition, emails were sent to the three vendors requesting the additional information below on April 25, 2017.

a. Provide and maintain 24-hour on-line Internet capability for receipt of real-time Hurricane Advisory files from the National Hurricane Center, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Wind and

Storm Surge Probability data from the National Hurricane Center, and rainfall/river flood data from the National Weather Service on primary system and backup system. The backup system should continue to be a separate HURREVAC data-feed site using a separate data ingest receiver (satellite) from a separate city, and use a separate ISP provider/server.

b. Monitor all data feed to the HURREVAC program at both sites for errors in Advisories / Rainfall forecasts / River Gages / Wind Probabilities / Surge Probabilities/ other NWS products. If errors are found in data feed they must be corrected immediately. When watches / warnings are issued they must be entered by hand into data feed as necessary to guarantee accuracy for the proper operation of the HURREVAC program.

c. Update the Help file and User Manual as needed to ensure it is up to date and accurate.

All response received by the due date reflected a lack of experience with maintaining software with a real time data feed. A Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted on FedBizOpps on April 26, 2017, with responses due on May 12, 2017. No responses were received.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: The required action will serve as a follow-on to the previous Sole Source contract W912DR-16-C-0010.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: Market research was conducted by posting a Sources Sought notice on the Federal Business Opportunity website on 10 Apr 2017 thru 17 Apr 2017. The responses to the Sources Sought notice revealed three (3) contractors that provided capability statements in response to the notice via email were as follows:

• I Web 4 U, LLC: I Web 4 U, LLC is registered in SAM with a current expiration date of 8/16/2017. They are a Veteran and Minority Owned Business under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 518210 (Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services).

• Quadyster: Quadyster is registered in SAM with a current expiration date of 1/16/2018. They are a Small and Minority Owned Business under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services).

• Berger Global Analytics, LLC: Berger Global Analytics, LLC is registered in SAM with a current expiration date of 10/18/2017. They are Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOBSB) qualified Small Business under NAICS code 541511 (Professional, scientific and technical services).

9. INTERESTED SOURCES:

The first contractor, I Wed 4 U submitted capabilities that demonstrated their experience in Project Management, Proposal Writing, Web Development, and Technical Writing. I Web 4 U did not include or identify any experience or knowledge of National Hurricane Program and its projects, National Hurricane Center products, or working with the emergency management community. As a result, I Web 4 U is not a potential responsible source to provide HURREVAC O&M services.

The second contractor Quadyster’s capabilities indicated their experience with implementation information technology product design, development, and implementation. However, all of their submitted experience was with private companies like John Deere and with medical patient information portals. They did not identify any experience or knowledge of the National Hurricane Program and its projects, National Hurricane Center products, or working with the emergency management community. As a result, Quadyster is not a potential responsible source to provide HURREVAC O&M services.

The third contractor Berger Global Analytics, LLC’s capabilities indicated that they are team of scientific professional geologist that performs data analysis, data interpretation, GIS Mapping, survey analysis and report writing primarily supporting the Gas and Oil industry. Also, they indicated a previous project that involved GIS mapping of hurricane and flooding events in the Houston area. However, there submitted capabilities did not identify any experience or knowledge of the National Hurricane Program and its projects, National Hurricane Center products, or working with the emergency management community. As a result, Berger Global Analytics, LLC is not a potential responsible source to provide HURREVAC O&M services.

In summary, the results of the Sources Sought did not identify a qualified contractor as a responsible source to provide the required services for the operation and maintenance of HURREVAC for the 2017 hurricane seasons.

Based on the results of the Sources Sought, it is the recommendation that the Government should maintain the current HURREVAC operation and maintenance contractor, Sea Island Software, as the only responsible source to satisfy this requirement.

10. OTHER FACTORS:

Procurement History:

a. Previous contracts:

W912HQ-10-D-0006-0017 awarded 1/19/2012 in the amount of W912HQ-10-D-0006-0027 awarded 2/15/2013 in the amount of W912BU-10-D-0002-0016 awarded 5/20/2014 in the amount of W912DR-15-C-0014 awarded 3/24/2015 in the amount of W912DR-16-C-0010 awarded 4/22/2016 in the amount of

Competitive status of these actions: Task Orders were awarded from Single Award Task Order Contracts (SATOC), therefore not competed. Attached for reference is last year’s J&A for the award to contract W912DR- 16-C-0010 to Sea Island Software to execute HURREVAC O&M. Under this J&A a Sources Sought was announced last year to identify qualify contractors to execute O&M. This market research concluded that Sea Island Software was the only responsible source to provide HURREVAC O&M services.

Authority previously used for less than full and open competition. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) and, FAR 6.302- 1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

If a J&A was prepared to support the procurement made before this one, include a summary of the contents of paragraph seven of the justification for that procurement and an explanation of the results.

Sea Island Software developed the HURREVAC program. They are responsible for development, maintenance and training support of the program. This is a restricted use program that is not commercially available. There is no other software program in the market. The software was developed specifically for Federal Government use in response to inclement weather events worldwide. There is no other software of its kind and to develop new software would be cost prohibitive. Program availability is also important to support hurricane response exercises and training programs conducted throughout the year. Sole Source contract were previously awarded to Sea Island Software on 3/24/2015 and 4/22/2016.

If any award for a similar type item was accomplished using full and open competition, include a detailed explanation of the changed circumstances preventing use of full and open competition with this procurement. N/A

An explanation of unusual patterns which may be revealed by the history, e.g. several consecutive urgent buys. N/A

If a justification was prepared to support the procurement made before this one, briefly describe the circumstances justifying the buy and whether there have been any significant changes.

Sea Island Software developed the HURREVAC program. The software was developed specifically for Federal Government use in response to inclement weather events worldwide. There is no other software of its kind and to develop new software would be cost prohibitive. Program availability is also important to support hurricane response exercises and training programs conducted throughout the year.

There have been no significant changes from the prior justification.

b. Acquisition data availability. HURREVAC program is a restricted use, proprietary program that is not commercially available. It was developed specifically for the NHP to provide a tracking and decision support system to government emergency managers for hurricanes and other inclement weather.

c. Unusual and compelling urgency: N/A

d. Subcontracting competition: N/A.

1 1 . TECHNICALCERTIFICATION:

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

NAME: Carla Quinn DATE:

TITLE: National Hurricane Program – Program Manager SIGNATURE:

12. REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION:

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

NAME: Carla Quinn DATE:

TITLE: National Hurricane Program – Program Manager SIGNATURE:

13. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Provide the basis for this determination (e.g., describe techniques to be used to determine fair and reasonable price, such as cost analysis, price analysis, audit, should cost, independent Government estimate, etc.).

As part of this basis, indicate whether certified cost or pricing data will be required or if one of the exceptions in FAR 15.403 will apply.

NAME: Colette Day DATE:

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE:

QUINN.CARLA.

M.1269525831

Digitally signed by

QUINN.CARLA.M.1269525831

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=QUINN.CARLA.M.1269525831 Date: 2017.05.19 08:32:50 -04'00'

QUINN.CARL

A.M.1269525

Digitally signed by

QUINN.CARLA.M.1269525831

DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=QUINN.CARLA.M.1269525831 Date: 2017.05.19 08:33:19 -04'00'

DAY.COLETTE.B.1

368602821

Digitally signed by DAY.COLETTE.B.1368602821 DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, ou=USA, cn=DAY.COLETTE.B.1368602821 Date: 2017.05.19 09:42:49 -04'00'

14. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

"I certify that this J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief."

NAME: Colette Day DATE:

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE:

DAY.COLETTE.B.1

368602821

Digitally signed by DAY.COLETTE.B.1368602821 DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, Date: 2017.05.19 09:43:44 -04'00'

APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement for the Operation and Maintenance of HURREVAC on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

NAME: Colette Day DATE:

TITLE: Contracting Officer SIGNATURE:

DAY.COLETTE.B.1

368602821

Digitally signed by DAY.COLETTE.B.1368602821 DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=DoD, ou=PKI, Date: 2017.06.02 13:27:26 -04'00'