A16_JOFOC_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

In accordance with the authority granted under 41 U.S.C. 253(c), this request for award under other than full and open competition is hereby submitted.

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

Bureau of Land Management, Fairbanks District Office, Central Yukon Field Office

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

Due to the circumstances described below, he Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central Yukon Field Office (CYFO) request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of BLM requirement for mineral lick data analysis.

The CYFO implemented a study to better understand Dall’s sheep use of naturally occurring mineral sources (“licks”) in the Central Brooks Range using camera traps.

Additional components of this study include soil sampling and acoustic monitoring in the vicinity of mineral licks. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the extent and seasonal use of mineral licks as important components of sheep habitat. Additionally, the purpose is to document baseline soil and sound data and explore the relationship of these variables to sheep habitat and habitat use.

The BLM has collected a substantial amount of data since the project’s inception.

Forward progress regarding data processing, management, and analysis is limited by staffing constraints and in-house expertise. Additional support is necessary for the project to progress such that the information can be applied toward sound wildlife habitat management on BLM-managed lands.

The work will require that the recipient has the capacity to enter full collaboration with the BLM as well as other federal partners including the USGS and the NPS. Final decisions on the work to be conducted will be made by the BLM. The work requires the recipient be capable of providing pertinent input specific to the soil, floral, and faunal resources of the Brooks Range.

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

Obtain working BLM MS Excel or Access database containing soils data from 2017 and 2019, Sound meter data from 6 mineral lick sites, photos from mineral lick sites.

Contractor must provide a database inclusive of all previously and currently available data with archival capacity as well as a GIS-compatible and user-friendly interface which allows for ready extraction of data.

The estimated cost for the remaining data analysis is $30,000.

4. An identification of the Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition:

41. U.S.C. 253(c) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

ABR, Inc has created a database from previously provided data from the BLM. They are unique owners of the database and have provided analysis of this same type (mineral lick) in the past. For the BLM to fully utilize the unique database ABR, Inc has created, the remaining data must be provided to them for final analysis and catalog. Only ABR, Inc has access to this database that the BLM will receive at the completion of this requirement.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

While other contractors may offer similar services, ABR, Inc is unique in that they are creators of the database the BLM will utilize once all data has been analyzed.

A notice will be published.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable, and the basis for that determination:

Price estimate is consistent with labor hours paid in accordance with government wages.

8. A description of the market research conducted (FAR part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Market research was not done for additional sources as ABR, Inc is the sole source of partially completed database, populated by BLM data.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition FAR 6.303-2(a) (9)):

Based on past performance, ABR, Inc provides highly pertinent input and advice specific to the soil, flora, and fauna resources of the Brooks Range.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:

No one has expressed interest in this current requirement.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

The BLM has no further requirements for creation of a database past the current acquisition.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, hereby, certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs or scheduled requirements, and that the basis for award under other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief:

/s/Sylvia Ringer_________________________ __7/20/2023____________________ Requisitioner’s Signature Date

I, hereby, certify that this justification for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

/s/Nicole Maldonado_____________________ __9/8/2023___________________ Contracting Officer’s Signature Date