JOFOC_SMART_ForMap_Limited_Sources.xps

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S STATEMENT REGARDING

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SMART/ForMAP Development State and Private Forestry, USFS

Orders placed under Federal Supply Schedules are exempt from the requirements of Part 6.

However, an ordering activity must justify its action when restricting consideration to one schedule contractor or to an item peculiar to one manufacturer in accordance with FAR 8.405-6.

The FAR requires that justifications for total acquisition needs within certain dollar levels be approved by the Competition Advocate (FAR 8.405-6(h)).

Accordingly, the following Limited Sources Justification and Approval is prepared in accordance with FAR 8.405-6 (a)(B):

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

The requisitioning activity for the requirement is the United States Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service (USFS), State and Private Forestry (S&PF) and the Contracting Activity is the United States Forest Service, Washington Office Acquisition Management Information Technology (WO-AQM IT) Support Branch.

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED:

This document is an individual justification and approval document pursuant to FAR 8.405-6, for a new firm fixed price delivery order to be awarded under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule, GS-35F-0294T, Timmons Group, Inc., 1001 Boulders Pkwy., Ste 300, Richmond, VA 23225. The purpose of this requirement is to procure perpetual licenses for SMART (Stewardship Mapping and Reporting Tool), LaSR (Landscape Scale Restoration Tool) and PRISM to support State and Private Forestry programs.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET

AGENCY’S NEED INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE:

ForMAP is the online portal to access SMART (Stewardship Mapping and Reporting Tools) and LaSR (Landscape Scale Restoration). SMART is a plan writing and accomplishment reporting tool designed to support the Forest Stewardship Program.

LaSR is the spatially enabled reporting tool for reporting Landscape Scale Restoration grant accomplishments. Together they modernize and create a spatial context for State and Private Forestry Programs by tying on-the-ground accomplishments with spatially defined Important Forest Resource Areas as defined in State Forest Action Plans. These tools are backed by a public facing dashboard (PRISM) and downloadable reports increasing communication and transparency for interested parties. The estimated value of this procurement is $2,500,000.00 over 4 years or if all options are exercised within the

USDA

4. IDENTIFICATION OF JUSTIFICATION RATIONALE AND, IF APPLICABLE,

A DEMONSTRATION OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED SUPPLY OR SERVICE:

In accordance with FAR Part 8.405-6 (a)(B), this justification supports the rationale associated with a specific sole source to Timmons Group partners. Timmons Group partners extensively with state natural resource agencies to improve internal operations and more efficiently serve their constituent base. They have a long track record of working with state forestry organizations and have delivered numerous enterprise web and mobile applications.

The SMART, LaSR and PRISM applications are the reporting platforms for several State and Private Programs. The application will be used to plan activities and, once accomplished, tie them to a funding source and year. State and Private forestry started using the perpetual license for these tools in 2010. Elements of these tools are used across the natural resource community. SMART and LaSR is the enterprise standard of the USDA Forest Service for Forest Stewardship and Landscape Scale Restoration Programs. This is a mission critical need for State and Private Forestry and the Forest Health Program.

5. DETERMINATION BY THE ORDERING ACTIVITY CONTRACTING

OFFICER THAT THE ORDER REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE

CONSISTENT WITH FAR 8.404(d):

Federal schedule service prices have been determined to be fair and reasonable by GSA.

There are no similar services available that can adequately satisfy the Forest Service needs. This schedule Contractor represents the best value to the Government and results in the lowest overcall cost alternative considering price and special knowledge and skills.

It is anticipated that Timmons Group will provide a substantial discount in service costs (20% - 25% reduction from GSA pricing).

6. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMONG SCHEDULE

HOLDERS AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON

MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED:

Market research has been conducted among GSA schedule holders to determine whether there were any schedule holders who offered similar expertise and products at the same rates. Currently, Timmons Group is the only vendor on GSA Federal Supply Schedules that offers the services needed. Timmons Group is the developer who created SMART, LaSR and PRISM. The WO AQM IT Support Branch contacted the Director of Geospatial Solutions from Timmons Group on May 27, 2015 to ask if there were any other federal resellers of SMART or LaSR. The Director of Geospatial Solutions from Timmons Group indicated that all services for SMART and LaSR are done exclusively at Timmons Group and do not have authorized resellers.

7. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION:

N/A

8. 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 IS

MADE:

N/A

9. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

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

SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION:

MATTHEW B. TANSEY DATE

Acting Forest Stewardship Program Manager State and Private Forestry

CONCUR:

JAMES GMC. BAILEY DATE

Contracting Officer WO AQM IT Support Branch

ARTHUR L. WELTON DATE

Branch Chief WO AQM IT Support Branch

APPROVED:

TIFFANY J. TAYLOR DATE

Competition Advocate