A02.14 SSJ Under the SAT - RECONS Support for Data Integration and Workflow - SAM.docx

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION 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 price type of contract using Civil Works Funding in the amount of $XX,XXX.XX.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The subject requirement is for “Support for IMPLAN Economic Data Integration and Operational Workflow Execution Within Regional ECONomic Systems (RECONS),” which will be supporting several IWR-WRC initiatives, including the RECONS, Value to the Nation, Flood Damage Data, Transportation System, and Planning Support Program. The purpose of this contract is to recruit support for the integration of the latest IMPLAN economic data and multipliers into the RECONS model, framework, and workflows—enhancing the ability of IWR RECONS Team to support economists and planners across USACE in conducting seamless and reliable Regional Economic Development (RED) analysis. This work spans across all major Civil Works business lines, including flood risk management and navigation.

The process of conducting RED analysis is made easy and straightforward for USACE district and division economists and planners using the only USACE-certified RECONS model, created by the Institute for Water Resources (IWR). Currently, RED impact analysis uses IMPLAN economic data and multipliers as the underlying analytical structure for estimating the ripple effects of economic changes across industries from Corps activities. These multipliers capture direct, indirect, and induced impacts of USACE projects, illustrating how shifts in investments or infrastructure development permeate throughout the regional economies. This contract seeks to recruit support for integrating the latest IMPLAN economic data and for the development and execution of a new workflow within the RECONS model and framework.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 2304(C)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(C)(1) as implemented in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Soliciting from a single source, for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT).

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: The identified Contractor is Michigan State University (MSU). Within MSU, Dr. Yue Cui, an Assistant Professor at the School of Planning, Design, and Construction has extensive experience in regional economic impact analysis, input-output modeling work, and longstanding experience in navigation, flood risk management, recreation, and natural resources management-related research for USACE-IWR and USACE Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC), dating back to 2010. Dr. Cui and her team are uniquely qualified for the tasks outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for this contracting action. Dr. Cui was part of the original team that developed the RECONS model and framework, and she is responsible for the architectural and back-end development for the model. Since the inception of RECONS, Dr. Cui has provided continued support that is critical to the functionality and operability of the RECONS model.

Acquiring Dr. Cui’s professional services for this work would be optimal for continuity and consistency of the model. Not acquiring Dr. Cui’s services would pose a high likelihood of creating inconsistencies and errors in the critical processes of the model. The RECONS model is the only USACE-certified input-output RED analytical tool. The RECONS model has strict requirements and rigorous protocols for data integrity, methodological transparency, and system reliability. Given Dr. Cui’s longstanding experience in not only the input-output impact analysis through research, but also a pioneering contributor to the model’s development, Dr. Cui possesses a unique set of knowledge essential for RECONS’s continued integrity, reliable performance, and sustained accuracy and operability of the model. Awarding this contract to a new contractor unfamiliar with RECONS would result in significantly increased cost to the Government and significant time delays for the contractor to gain sufficient knowledge of the RECONS model, framework, and workflow prior to becoming capable of providing services to complete the required tasks under this contract.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research has shown that it is not possible to complete this action without MSU. No other entity or individual has been identified that has the requisite combination of institutional knowledge, technical expertise, and direct involvement in the development of the RECONS model, framework, and workflow. Dr. Cui’s capabilities, along with the team at MSU, are critical for ensuring model continuity and operational integrity in accordance with USACE-certified framework.

Per FAR Subpart 5.2, this requirement will be synopsized on the Contract Opportunities section of the SAM.gov website for 15 days. Interested parties were provided with the PWS and the opportunity to respond to the Notice of Intent to Sole Source. The notice included a request for interested parties to submit a capability statement if they believed they were capable of meeting the requirement. No responses were received.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: As a means of increasing competition, IWR performed market research by considering academia, as well as various UACE contract vehicles, including the Blanket Purchase Agreements for Independent External Peer Review of Water Resources Projects, and IWR considered other entities. However, due to the highly unique qualifications of Dr. Cui, especially her role as the pioneering member of the RECONS development team, it would be far more expensive and inefficient to consider another entity.

8. Market Research: Market research has not identified a comparable entity with a deep understanding of the unique and intricate requirements of the USACE RECONS model, framework, and workflow. Market research indicates a sole source contract to MSU with Dr. Yue Cui is required.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express interest. The notices required by FAR 5.201 will be published, and any bids for proposals received will be considered.

10. Other Facts: None.

11. 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 FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi) “Comparison to an independent Government Estimate.” Per FAR 15.403-1(b)(3), certified cost and pricing data is not required.

David A. Kaplan Procuring Contracting Officer Email: David.A.Kaplan@usace.army.mil

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

Procuring Contracting Officer Email: David.A.Kaplan@usace.army.mil

Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve award of a firm fixed price contract for the requirement titled “SUPPORT FOR IMPLAN ECONOMIC DATA INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONAL WORKFLOW EXECUTION WITHIN REGIONAL ECONOMIC SYSTEMS (RECONS)” in the amount of $XX,XXX.XX on an other 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 Email: David.A.Kaplan@usace.army.mil

Prepared by:

Quan Nguyen Contract Specialist Email: Quan.Nguyen@usace.army.mil