A02.14 SSJ Under the SAT - Assess and Improve SJ and EM CIP - SAM.docx

CUI

SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM FOR ACTIONS UNDER THE SAT

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

1. Contracting Activity:

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity (HECSA)

2. Description of Action:

Approval is requested for a new, firm fixed type service contract using National Flood Risk Management Program Funding Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) Funding in the amount of $xxx,xxx.xx.

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) is requesting assistance from the University of Colorado, Boulder (CUB) in conducting analysis that will allow for assessment and improvement of IWR programs, specifically Emergency Management and Silver Jackets. The work will be accomplished by Dr. Lori Peek, PhD, Director of Natural Hazards Center, and her team located at CUB. Dr. Peek is a nationally recognized expert in interdisciplinary methods and approaches for hazards and disaster research.

The activities will support the vision, mission, goals, and principles of the USACE National Flood Risk Management Program (NFRMP), including Silver Jackets. The purpose of this work is to conduct research, which may include the review of completed project materials and interviews of project staff and partners to evaluate whether project activities effectively improve state and local preparedness and lead to improved management of flood risk. The work will assess factors of the project activities successfully leading to specific actions, and if action was not taken, will assess the barriers to action.

Additionally, IWR is requesting assistance from the NHC to develop a framework and templates for a continuous improvement program of USACE Emergency Management activities. This will guide how USACE Emergency Management activities are consistently assessed and evaluated.

The anticipated cost of the work under this contract is $xxx,xxx.xx, with a period performance ending 24 months from date of award.

4. Authority Cited:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a single source. For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. 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.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

Dr. Peek has written several books and peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic, and she along with Dr. Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, an expert in multi-hazard risk communication and Research Associate at the Natural Hazards Center, have established a strong track record of collaboration with the USACE NFRMP.

Since 1976, the NHC at the University of Colorado Boulder has served as the nation’s NSF-designated information clearinghouse for the societal dimensions of natural hazards and disasters. The NHC’s mission is to advance novel social science research, to facilitate connections between various academic, government, and private sector partners, to translate and share information to move knowledge into action, and to train and mentor a diverse next generation of researchers and practitioners.

USACE’s NFRMP has a mission to increase USACE capabilities to improve decisions affecting the Nation’s flood risk that are made internally and collaboratively with our external partners. NFRMP program goals include enhancing how USACE manages flood risk, strengthening how USACE supports others who are managing flood risk, and promoting linkages between flood risk management and other water resources challenges and opportunities. NHC provides access to relevant expertise not intrinsic to USACE such as expertise in interdisciplinary methods and approaches for hazards and disaster research. Such initiatives are leveraged to improve the ability of USACE to manage flood risk and support state and local entities who manage flood risk.

USACE needs to continuously improve emergency management operations in the most efficient and automated way possible and improve support to state and local preparedness in order to more effectively support and implement Administration focus areas.

NHC is uniquely situated to provide the research and practical application expertise needed by the NFRMP. They have access to experts with proven experience in hazards and disaster research, as well as expertise in providing training associated with factors of success. They and the team at the NHC are uniquely equipped to support the tasks described in the performance work statement. In addition, they have a proven track record of working with the USACE to carry out timely and meaningful projects that have had a measurable impact on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of Corps employees.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

The required notice of intent to sole source this action will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

Research has shown that it is not possible to complete this work otherwise due to the unique qualifications of Dr. Lori Peek.

8. Market Research:

Internet searches do not yield any private businesses with comparable expertise in this area. NHC has a history of successfully performing this type of work for USACE.

9. Interested Sources:

To date, no other sources have written to express an interest.

10. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable, based on the NHC having the desired capacity and the ability to perform the work in a cost-effective manner. The overhead rate is reasonable given the facility location and technical expertise available. Per FAR 15.403-1(b)(3), certified cost and pricing data is not required.

David A. Kaplan Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487

12. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487 Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF SILVERJACKETS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS in the amount of $xxx,xxx.xx on another than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487

Prepared by:

Shanti Singh Contract Specialist

CUI

(Source Selection information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)