A04 Attachment 5 FAR 13 under SAT Limited Sources UM.pdf

AOP No. 5, J&A-Other Than Full & Open Competition- Attachment 5 (Feb. 26, 2020)

Limited Source/Brand Name Justification United States Department of Agriculture

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting office.

United States Department of Agriculture, Departmental Administration, Office of Contracting and Procurement, Procurement Operations Division, 301 S. Howes Street, Suite 321, Fort Collins, CO 80521.

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

USDA/FAS/TPGA/New Technologies and Production Methods Division (NTPMD) is requesting a firm-fixed-price contract with the University of Missouri (MU) to support one to three bilateral risk communication initiatives with China pursuant to Chapter 3, Annex 16 of the U.S-China Economic and Trade Agreement (“Phase One”).

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.

The University of Missouri (MU) has two key strengths that uniquely position it to support this activity.

First, MU is home to the Economics and Management of Agrobiotechnology Center (EMAC), a research institute devoted to the study of the effects of biotechnology on agriculture, food production, and value chains. EMAC provides in-depth analysis on the economic and social forces arising from and affecting the use of biotechnology in the agrifood industry. It also offers evidence-based training programs and fosters ongoing exchange of information and opinion among a worldwide network of academics, analysts, and public and private decision-makers in agricultural biotechnology through roundtables, conferences, and other outreach programs. EMAC also fosters the development of relevant peer-reviewed evidence and timely interaction among experts through its publication of the journal AgBioForum, which deals with socioeconomic issues related to agricultural biotechnology.

Second, the MU School of Journalism (MU J-School) – widely regarded as the top journalism school in the United States – has a history of over 100 years of educational collaboration with Chinese institutions. The MU J-School houses the Health Communication Research Center, whose experts focus on communicating science in ways that inspire trust and learning, empowering audiences with actionable steps to improve health and prevent disease. The MU J-School’s Department of Strategic Communications offers complementary expertise in public relations, marketing, and social media campaigns to influence public opinion. These MU staff are leaders in producing scientific content in a way that the public can find relatable, understandable, and trustworthy.

Finally, MU has a number of recent and existing award instruments with USDA/FAS, allowing for ease of implementation and continuation of efforts directly related to this and other food safety and trade facilitation activities. These instruments include a 2018 contract with NTPMD on biotechnology policies and a 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020 contract in support of the Biotechnology Regulators Immersion Course (BRIC) that trains officials from countries with emergent biotechnology policies, including China. This experience establishes MU as a dominant stakeholder in communicating, building trust, and organizing and implementing activities in China and among Chinese stakeholders.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

NTPMD will continue to monitor various market information to include FedBizOpps, GSA Advantage, etc., to determine whether any other source(s) can meet a future requirement prior to any subsequent acquisition.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable.

The estimated value is $90,000.00.

6. Recommended source(s).

The University of Missouri

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Nathaniel Olson International Trade Specialist

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

James B. Edington Contracting Officer