A06 FAR 6.302_JOFOC.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Procurement Operations Division (POD).

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA proposes to issue a sole source firm-fixed-price delivery order for enterprise-wide annual eResource global market analysis subscription on the Library of Congress (LOC) Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) analyzes international market developments and their effect on U.S. agriculture. This includes analysis on related issues such as world food security, the outlook for trade and production and the impact of international trade agreements and food scares on U.S. agricultural interests. This is a requirement for a subscription to IHS Global Inc.’s enterprise-wide annual subscription to include Advanced Country Analysis & Forecast and Global Consumer Markets Service Sovereign Risk subscriptions. These subscriptions will provide FAS staff in Washington, DC as well as FAS staff overseas, necessary information to analyze country, market, and commodity production, trade, and price data for policy makers.

Base Year: $101,442.50 Option Year 1 $103,978.56 Option Year 2 $106, 978.56 Option Year 3 $109,242.48 Option Year 4 $111, 973.54 Total Estimated Value: $533,215.11

The period of performance consists of a base period of 12 months and four 12-month option periods.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5, titled "Authorized or required by statute."

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

The FEDLINK program is authorized by statute under Section 103 of P.L. 106-481 (2 U.S.C. 182c). The statute authorizes a revolving fund to provide "the procurement of commercial information services, publications in any format, and library support services…, information and support services" to federal offices and to other organizations entitled to use federal sources of supply” (Subpart (f)(1)). Due to FAS’ mission of linking U.S. agricultural to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security, FAS depends on receiving this worldwide, macroeconomic information on a daily basis. This delivery order will provide the agency with global market intelligence necessary to perform its daily objectives.

Additionally, this subscription will be inclusive of the entire agricultural system.

IHS Global Inc.’s enterprise-wide subscription service is an online information subscription which provides comprehensive economic coverage of countries, regions, and industries available using a unique combination of expertise, models, and data within a common analytical framework to support planning and decision-making. IHS Global Inc. provides macro level world, as well as country, economic analysis; collects and delivers economic and financial information to clients; and provides a broad range of consulting capabilities. The information is provided to consumers every 24 hours. IHS Global Inc. has over 3,800 clients in industry, finance, and government with over 600 employees and 23 offices in 13 countries covering North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As a result, IHS Global Inc. is uniquely positioned to provide the required international macroeconomic information for over 200 countries on a consistent and comparable basis.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

The FEDLINK program is authorized by statute, as such, the exception in FAR 5.202(a)(4) applies to this requirement and notice will not be publicized.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable based on prior acquisition history (FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii)). The estimated base year subscription reflects a 5% increase from the prior year’s subscription, which is consistent with economic conditions and industry standards. Additionally, the rates in the IHS Global FEDLINK IDIQ have been previously determined to be fair and reasonable at the contract level.

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

Market research was conducted to identify the availability of sources on the LOC FEDLINK. The incubment was identifed as a continued contract holder under the program and the contract was awarded for its specific services unique to to this company. No other contractors on FEDLINK provide these specific services. Additionally, because the FEDLINK program is authorized by statute, no further market research was conducted to suppor the use of this Program.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

None.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

No other sources expressed written interest in the acquisition..

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

OGA actively researches and networks with other USDA agencies to determine if other sources can provide this information. If another source is available, OGA is open to solicitations from these research services. OGA and posts welcome product demos and analyze that source to determine if they can provide the same country by country macro-economic analysis needed to develop case studies and briefing books in support of FAS’ mission.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Frank McCarthy Management Analyst, FAS

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Nnenna Njoku Contracting Officer