A16_-_JOFOC_-_O_M_Bridge_FINAL_1.pdf

Figure 1 Part 404, Chapter 3

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR 6.3)

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior (DOI), United States

Geological Survey (USGS), Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This is a 6-month bridge contract to DCT, Incorporated for operations and maintenance services at EROS Center.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The required service is for operation and maintenance of the physical facilities of the EROS Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Services include comprehensive Operation and Maintenance of all aspects of the 318-acre USGS-owned property, including a 300,000 sq. ft. building with three computer rooms, heating and air conditioning, boilers, electrical systems that convert, switch, and distribute the incoming 13kV power to proper and stable power of various levels to operate the multiple systems and IT assets valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. EROS operates and maintains two high performance computing systems (HPCs). The services also include operating and maintenance of a backup generating plant of 4-750KW generators for emergency power to maintain operations in case of commercial power loss, building automation, facility security systems, a wastewater treatment pond system, the phone private branch exchange (PBX), the physical network infrastructure, grounds upkeep and snow removal.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. $1,738,440.00

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a limited source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-2

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. The bridge contract is necessary to allow

DOI time to complete, advertise, and award the pending 5-year recompete contract for operations and maintenance. Due to the government shutdown and staff shortages caused by voluntary early retirement packages, the bid package was not completed prior to the contract period of performance end date. We have exhausted a 6-month contract extension and a 6-month emergency task order to extend these necessary services. EROS cannot operate without operations and maintenance services, and the complex nature of the work precludes an off-the-shelf or in-house solution.

7. Other Information.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

The existing contract is within three (3) months of expiration. Given the extremely limited timeframe, this brief procurement affords the Government sufficient time to award a full and openly competed contract for the required services and allow for a requisite 30-day transition period. Contractors exist in the market that are able to meet the requirement however, the

Government would be seriously injured and the mission adversely critically affected if competition is not limited. (IAW FAR 6.302-2).

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. A competitively bid 5-year contract recompete is in progress. This bridge contract is needed only to ensure services do not lapse for the EROS

Center. Due to the highly specialized skills and equipment needed to perform site operations and maintenance there are no federal staff properly trained to keep the Center operating in the event of a contract lapse. Additionally, at the current time, there are no federal staff properly trained to bring a new Contractor up to speed on the needed tasks.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

Tracy Michel Signature Date

Acting Facilities Manager

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. The anticipated cost to the government is considered fair and reasonable based on comparison to previous awards for the same/similar service.

b. All of the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act, (41 U.S.C. 253), as implemented in the Federal and Interior Acquisition Regulations, have been considered in preparing this justification. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Approvals

Tricia Rampersad, Contracting Officer Date

Scott Cox, Chief of the Contracting Office Date

Doug Hill, Bureau Competition Advocate Date