A13_CO_REVISED SSD Below SAT FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) _4504001EQ0661_NESTA_9-4-24 Signed.pdf

Single Source Determination for Acquisitions Under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

This justification is prepared by the Small Business Administration, Office of Financial Operations & Acquisition Management (OCFO), Acquisition Operations Division in conjunction with the Office of Investment and Innovation (OII).

2. Identification of Source.

This acquisition is restricted to the following vendor/contractor:

Company: Innovation Growth Lab (IGL) dba Nesta

UEI: WTW2W8KJKKD8

Company Address: 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS Company Point of Contact and Email Address: Albert Bravo-Biosca, albert.bravo-biosca@nesta.org.uk

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development Division (IIED) in SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) has a need for program experimentation and research to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of its funding programs, specifically the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) and the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative. Program evaluation typically occurs after a program has been implemented while program experimentation is a real-time evaluation effort which increases the speed in which a program’s effectiveness can be studied. The use of both program evaluation and program experimentation will build a strong evidence base which IIED program staff can utilize to improve existing programs and design future programs.

Program evaluation and program experimentation are OII priority areas. IIED aims to strengthen its ability to evaluate in real-time the impact of its programs and generate evidence regarding the effectiveness of its programs, specifically GAFC and the RIC Initiative. By doing so, SBA will better incorporate best practices, make evidence-informed program changes, effectively manage program awardees, and contribute to the existing body of literature on technology-based economic development.

This requirement is identified on requisition 4504001EQ07580. The government anticipates award of a contract, and the anticipated contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

This requirement consists of:

• Assisting IIED with the development and implementation of real-time evaluation efforts (program experiments) done through randomized controlled trials, the real-time evaluation efforts will be focused on IIED policies and programs, mainly GAFC and the RIC Initiative;

• Reporting to IIED the outcomes from the real-time evaluation efforts done through randomized controlled trials and provide recommendations for program improvements;

mailto:albert.bravo-biosca@nesta.org.uk

• Disseminating outcomes to a network of subject matter experts for review, validation (or disagreement), and adaptation; and

• Providing access to a growing community of researchers that design and run these specific types of experiments to generate evidence related to specific policies and programs.

This requirement is estimated to cost $95,121.25 and the period of performance will be one 12-month base period, two 12-month option periods and an optional 6 month extension.

4. Authority and Supporting Rationale.

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), only one source is reasonably available due to exclusive licensing agreements required by membership of the Innovation Growth Lab Scientific Committee, and as detailed below:

Specific characteristics of Innovation Growth Lab (IGL) dba Nesta that limit the availability to a sole source are:

SBA OII Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development Division (IIED) seeks to integrate greater expertise and ability for program experimentation to inform the management of Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) and the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative and consider new methods for supporting the national innovation ecosystem through the Innovation Growth Lab (IGL) dba Nesta.

IGL is a global initiative that works to increase the impact of innovation and growth policy, by ensuring that it is informed by new ideas and robust evidence. They enable, support, undertake and disseminate high impact research that uses experimental methods to improve the design of programs and institutions that help make our economies more innovative and entrepreneurial. They work at the intersection of research and policy, where they help organizations become more experimental, test ideas, and learn from each other. IGL follows a network, brokerage, and partnership model. They bring together researchers in related fields, along with public and private organizations that have the ability to undertake experiments.

Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because no other organization/vendor can combine program experimentation, research, and economic policy to develop comprehensive quantitative and qualitative recommendations on economic development that will foster economic innovation and entrepreneurship. Only this vendor has the capability to garner a multitude of subject matter experts in economic policy, development, and research, and intersect that with experimentation.

While there are other research organizations, only Innovation Growth Lab dba Nesta has a global membership that can be accessed, global experts that can review data, and leading researchers that can make policy recommendations sufficient enough to meet the needs of all innovation and research funding programs of SBA OII.

5. Description of Market Research.

Market Research was conducted via GSA e-library utilizing key word searches and SAM.gov , as well as via communication with other federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, and SBA’s Office of Strategic Management and Enterprise Integrity, which led to the determination that IGL is uniquely qualified for this work. Although many vendors were identified, it was determined that none were found specific to real-time, hands-on experimentation, encompassing economic policy, development, and research in one, with global networking capabilities.

Since its creation in 2014, IGL has worked with governments across the world to support more than 70 policy experiments. Through this work, IGL has also created a research network with over 100 researchers from across the world. By leveraging IGL’s expertise and research network, SBA OII’s EDD will have a greater capacity to determine the effectiveness of interventions to support the development and growth of innovation-focused small businesses. IGL’s work will also identify potential opportunities to better support innovation-focused small businesses.

6. Certification

I certify that statements information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition.

Brittany Sickler Director of Ecosystem Development Date Program Office Official

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Tracie Guitierrez Date Contracting Officer Approval for actions less than $250,000