A38_JEFO_Gartner_Redacted_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

AUTHORITY: FAR 16.505(b)(2)

140D0426Q0545

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity.”

This document is a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition for the Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division 1, Branch 3 for the DOI Office of Financial Management (PFM)

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

This is a new requirement for a sole source task order to Gartner, Inc. for licenses to provide PFM with executive mission-critical financial responsibilities that will reduce external consulting costs and strength financial decision-making. The licenses will each provide executive advisory access, subject matter expert inquiries, proposal review and negotiation support, decision-intelligence databases, finance and cross-functional libraries, benchmarking tools, toolkits and templates, diagnostic tools, and strategic action frameworks.

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

PFM requires access to Gartner, Inc’s repository of information including research and consulting services through licenses. The vendor will supply electronic records management (ERM) support that supplies risk consultations, tools, templates, training, analysis, and reports to the DOI ERM program. Services provided by the vendor will include expert research available from the provider’s library that can be customized to DOI’s specific queries and needs, diagnostics and benchmarking of the Department’s ERM program versus other programs in the federal government, guides and toolkits for activities such as conducting risk interviews, training of DOI personnel in bureaus and offices, integration of budget requirements for treating risks, and the creation of surveys, access to case studies, best practices, and evaluations of ERM systems and technology, review of DOI generated documents such as training guides, workbooks, and guides, availability to training events for ERM staff, and conduct functional maturity assessments. The Independent Government Estimate (IGE) for this is .

The period of performance is for one year without options.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) – Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

PFM requires access to Gartner’s repository of information and consulting services to help form key decisions in planning and executing risk management strategies, to conduct and provide expert research that can be customized to DOI financial management needs, and to review DOI’s generated documents such as training guides, workbooks, and other guides. Gartner

140D0426Q0545 provides reports and briefings, as well as peer networking services and membership programs while also applying the research in the form of custom consulting engagement which provides support to clients’ most complex and mission-critical priorities. Gartner research and advisory services will equip PFM with insight delivered by experienced advisors and informed by an unmatched combination of expert-led, practitioner-sourced, and data-driven research.

Gartner is the sole owner of this database and does not utilize resellers for their licenses.

Gartner is the only vendor that offers access to this unique product, licenses to a library that can be tailored to DOI’s specific queries and needs, and includes consulting services related to the research, analysis, and management services performed.

5. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Library of Congress’s (LOC) FEDLINK Marketplace has Gartner as a vendor and is open to other agencies. This GWAC is specialized in electronic databases and publications, which fits this requirement. As these are specialized services and Gartner is a participant in this GWAC with published competitive pricing, FEDLINK is determined to be the vehicle of choice for this requirement. The pricing listed under FEDLINK is already determined to be fair and reasonable and additional discounts will be requested.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification

As no other vendor except Gartner can provide these licenses for access to their specialized database, the Contracting Officer reviewed previous requirements by AQD for Gartner’s licenses (including 140D0424F0726 and 140D0424F1338) awarded sole source to Gartner Inc utilizing various vehicles. All mandatory sources, including the AbilityOne Procurement List and Federal Prison Industries (unicor.gov) were researched to determine if they are a potential source for these requirements. Neither website listed the required services in their portfolio of services offered. A search was conducted on SAM.gov for vendors registered under the NAICS Code selected for this acquisition, 519290. While similar services are available and commercial in nature, the required services for this acquisition are only available by utilizing Gartner’s unique portfolio and associated consulting services. Therefore, LOC’s FEDLINK vehicle that specializes in electronic databases and publications like Gartner’s and has Gartner as a vendor is the most specific vehicle to use for this requirement.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

Competition for this requirement currently does not exist as Gartner is the sole source that provides the database and support services that meet all of the needs of PFM. While other databases exist, none provide executive advisory access, subject matter expert inquiries, proposal review and negotiation support, decision-intelligence databases, finance and cross-functional libraries, benchmarking tools, toolkits and templates, diagnostic tools, and strategic action frameworks as Gartner’s does. As Gartner is the sole vendor of their database and the licenses to access it, the only source available for this requirement is Gartner. At this time, the services required for this acquisition are only offered by employing Gartner’s distinctive research library and advisory services. However, in order to remove any barriers that led to restricted competition, the Contracting Officer will search for new vendors that offer a similar product to Gartner before awarding any subsequent acquisitions.

140D0426Q0545

8. The contracting officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

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

Gabriella Jones Contracting Officer

9. Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for an exception to fair opportunity) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

Program Manager/COR

10. A written determination by the approving official that one of the circumstances in

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) through (E) applies to the order.

I determine that the circumstances in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) apply to this order.

11. Reviews and Approvals:

Approve:

Gabriella Jones Contracting Officer

Concur:

Branch Chief, Division 1 Branch 3

Division Chief, Division 1

GABRIELLA

JONES

Digitally signed by

GABRIELLA JONES

Date: 2026.06.09 08:44:44 -04'00'

GABRIELLA

JONES

Digitally signed by GABRIELLA

JONES

Date: 2026.06.09 08:45:17 -04'00'