Attach_16_-_Brand_Name_JOFOC_SnowDens_Software.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center Building 50, Denver Federal Center

P.O. Box 2547 https://www.blm.gov

NPRA LEGACY WELL REMEDIATION – TULAGEAK TEST WELL #1 & RESERVES

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

BRAND-NAME

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c)(1)(ii), the following justification is provided for other than full and open competition (brand-name justification).

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requiring Activity: Contracting Activity:

Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Office National Operations Center 222 W 7th Avenue #13 P.O. Box 25047 Anchorage, AK 99513 Denver, CO 80225

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

In accordance with (IAW) the requirements at FAR 6.303 and 6.304, this document serves as a brand-name justification for the SnowDens-3D software required for this contract.

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

Project performance for this contract requires a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) issued polar bear permit, which conditions a SnowDens-3D software to model snow predictions drifting through any areas of known bear denning habitat. The SnowDens-3D software is a spatial snowdrift polar bearden habitat model that predicts snowdrift depths and locations along Alaska’s Beaufort Sea Coast. Because the project site is in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), the FWS permit conditions use of the software to navigate the snow travel path to the site.

The total estimated value for this software is .

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 6.302-1 (41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1)) – Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements (Brand Name FAR 6.302-1(c)).

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

Historically, available den habitat models have been based primarily on the presence of topographic features capable of capturing drifting snow. In any given season, however, the availability and precise location of snowdrifts of sufficient size to accommodate a bear den depends on the antecedent snowfall and wind conditions, and these vary from one year to the next. While suitable topography is a necessary pre-condition, it is not sufficient to predict potential den sites each year accurately.

SnowDens-3D is a user-friendly decision-support tool that considers the current snowfall, early-winter meteorological conditions, and provides den habitat information that can be used to guide polar bear management and avoidance decisions for the rest of that winter after the bears have entered their dens. This is the only known software with these specialized capabilities, and its development was partially funded by the FWS and other agency partners. Moreover, use of this software is a mitigation measure and is a required condition for issuance of the contract’s polar bear permit.

6. 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.

In accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6), the Government will include the subject justification with the solicitation via the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GFP) SAM.gov, under Contracting Opportunities. Therefore, potential Offerors will have the opportunity to specify an alternative solution if they believe this justification is improper.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and the basis for that determination.

The Government will include the subject brand name requirement within a competitive solicitation, and anticipates several small businesses offers. The Government will leverage market competition to ensure the most advantageous price for items within the brand name requirement. Lastly, the Government will perform a price analysis as applicable IAW FAR 15.404-1(b).

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

IAW FAR 10.002(b)(2) the Government conducted market research to determine if any other product could satisfy agency requirements under the specific circumstances. This software is proprietary and other alternatives do not exist.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition (FAR 6.302(a) (9)).

Not applicable

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Not applicable

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the same supplies or services.

Through frequent market research, the Government will monitor the marketplace for compatible software. Moreover, any acquisitions that integrate a new software with similar capabilities will be made available to all Offerors.

CERTIFICATIONS:

I hereby certify that this requirement does not exceed the Government’s minimum needs 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.

Allie Schoessler Date Requisitioner/Technical Representative

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.

Greetchen Jeremie Date Contract Specialist

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.

Paula M. Johnson Date Contracting Officer

CONCUR: _X_ NONCONCUR: __