A17_Sole_Source_Justification_GCI_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 Alaska State Office & Alaska Fire Service

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

Cellular coverage by GCI to cover areas that Verizon does not cover. Request the following be acquired using other than full and open competition in support of BLM requirement for cellular service for areas that Verizon does not cover. GCI is the only carrier to provide service across all of Alaska. Other cellular carriers might have one location or another but do not provide cellular coverage across the whole state. A waiver is not required in this case because the solutions providers listed in SIN 132.53 are not available at this time.

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

Cellular coverage across the whole state of Alaska for cell phones, tablets, and MiFi devices. Cellular service will run approximately $180,000 a year.

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

41. U.S.C. 253(c) (_1_) as implemented by FAR 6.302- 1.

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

GCI provides cellular coverage in remote locations where there is little or no coverage by other cellular carriers.

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:

Comparisons with other cellular carriers in Alaska include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and GCI. Verizon provides service along the road system, the North Slope, and small areas in Kodiak and Southeast Alaska. T-Mobile has coverage in the same areas as Verizon. AT&T has the same coverage Verizon and T-Mobile and provides additional coverage to some areas along the West Coast and Interior, but coverage off the road system is less than GCI. GCI provides the same coverage as the other carriers and additional areas that the other cellular carriers do not have coverage in.

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:

The pricing is considered fair and reasonable based on previous pricing and in comparison with pricing of like services.

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:

Comparisons were made with Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and GCI. The coverage for each carrier was compared with GCI. Verizon and T-Mobile have the exact same coverage areas. AT&T provides a larger coverage area, but still does not cover the area that GCI covers. GCI provides the widest coverage area off the road system in Alaska.

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

BLM Alaska currently has service with GCI for the offices and personnel that routinely work off the road system and remote locations. GCI has been successfully providing service for those individuals.

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

N/A

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:

Comparison with other vendors will be continued on an annual basis to determine if any other vendors are able to provide the required coverage.

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:

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:

Contracting Officer’s Signature Date