A02.06 MFR for Sole Source Justification for BioBase Subscription Services_Redacted.pdf
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- Attached to
- BioBase EcoSound Habitat Plus Subscription
- Solicitation number
- PANERD-26-P-0000-026611
About this file
This document is a Memorandum for Record (MFR) justifying the limitation of competition for a sole source acquisition under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 commercial procedures.
The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Environmental Laboratory (EL), Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch seeks to procure a five-year subscription to the BioBase EcoSound Habitat Plus Enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) from BioBase, LLC (CAGE 9ZHS8) as a firm-fixed-price commercial service contract. The estimated contract value is redacted. This service is essential for the Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch to perform spatial and bathymetric mapping, herbicide treatment monitoring, and dye tracer exchange capacity studies in water. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 513210 (Software Publishers) and is funded through Civil Works (96*3122) with a five-year performance period from the award date.
Market research conducted on 16 July 2026 by the Contracting Officer's Representative identified BioBase, LLC as the only available source capable of processing the government's field data into the required proprietary BioBase format and providing the necessary bathymetric and biovolume analytics. The government's technical experts reviewed available commercial tools and queried the industry with no alternative vendors identified. Historical acquisition data supports this finding through a previous successful GPC transaction (W81EWF52248212). BioBase, LLC is registered in the System for Award Management but is not classified as a small business. The Contracting Officer determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable based on price analysis techniques and approved the sole source justification subject to fund availability. The document notes that the government will continue monitoring the commercial market for alternative GIS or bathymetric mapping services that could support full and open competition for future requirements.
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ERDC Control No. 26-3656
5. Reason for Authority Cited: This procurement is conducted under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 12.102(a), "Restricting competition". Under the RFO Part 12 model deviation, simplified procedures are authorized to streamline commercial acquisitions. For commercial acquisitions valued at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), RFO 12.102(a) directs the Contracting Officer to "document the decision that only one source is available and the basis for the decision" in the contract file. The statutory basis for this restricted competition is 41 U.S.C. § 1901, as implemented by RFO Part 12.
6. Actions to Increase Competition: The Requiring Activity will continue to monitor the commercial market for any new web-based geographic information system (GIS) or bathymetric mapping services. If alternative software applications emerge in the commercial marketplace that can process raw sonar files into equivalent biovolume and substrate maps with comparable accuracy and hardware compatibility, the Government will structure future requirements to allow for full and open competition.
7. Market Research: In accordance with FAR Part 10 and RFO Part 12, market research was conducted on 16 July 2026 by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The techniques utilized include:
• Historical Acquisition Information: Similar specialized mapping services were historically procured successfully from BioBase, LLC via Government Purchase Card (GPC) under transaction W81EWF52248212.
• Personal Knowledge and Industry Engagement: Government technical experts reviewed available commercial tools and queried the industry. No other vendor was identified that possesses the capability to process the government's field data into the required proprietary BioBase format or provide the exact bathymetric/biovolume analytics required.
• Socioeconomic Considerations: While small business opportunities are prioritized under RFO Part 19, market research verified that BioBase, LLC is the only source capable of fulfilling this specialized requirement. BioBase, LLC (CAGE 9ZHS8) is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) but is not classified as a small business for this requirement.
8. NAICS Determination: 513210 Software Publishers
9. Procurement History: GPC Transaction W81EWF52248212
10. Commercial Item Determination: IAW FAR 10.002(b)(1)(i), the results of the market research have demonstrated that the Government's needs can be met by items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace that would meet the definition of a commercial item at FAR 2.1, to include commercial items with customary or minor modifications, or non-developmental items. Therefore, IAW FAR 10.002(d)(1), the contracting officer shall solicit and award any resultant contract using the policies and procedures in FAR Part 12.
11. Additional information to support the justification: None.
ERDC Control No. 26-3656
12. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.
Christine Shuck Procuring Contracting Officer
12. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.
Christine Shuck Procuring Contracting Officer
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