B01.04 SSJ Under the SAT - Impacts of USACE Water Supply Projects - SAM.gov.docx

CUI

06 September 2023

SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM FOR ACTIONS UNDER THE SAT

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Estimating the Social and Economic Impacts of USACE Water Supply Projects: An Exploratory Study

1. Contracting Agency: United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity (HECSA), 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22315.

2. Description of Action: Approval is requested for a new, firm-fixed price contract using Civil Works funds in the amount of $XX,XXX.XX.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The USACE Water Supply Business Line (WSBL), in conjunction with the National Portfolio Assessment for Reallocation Program, at the Institute for Water Resources (IWR) needs to better understand the social and economic impacts of USACE water supply projects at the local, state, and national levels. The goal of this service is twofold: (1) to develop a conceptual framework for measuring the social and economic impacts of USACE water supply projects to better communicate the risks and consequences at the local, state, and national levels; and (2) to consider adding a ‘USACE water supply module’ to the USACE-certified Regional Economic Systems (RECONS) model.

This work will rely heavily on the use of input-output (I-O) modeling. A modified, tailored version of the RECONS model – as type of I-O model – will be used. Additionally, this work requires expert knowledge of IMPLAN data.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 2304(C)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(C)(1) as implemented in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: The identified contractor, Dr. Yue Cui at Michigan State University (MSU), is an Assistant Professor at the School of Planning, Design and Construction with an extensive experience in regional economic impact analysis, input-output modeling, and deep understanding of all USACE business lines. Dr. Cui has a long-standing history of supporting USACE IWR and USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), dating back to 2010. Dr. Cui is uniquely qualified for the tasks outlined in this contract as she is a pioneering member of the RECONS team – part of the original team that developed the RECONS model and responsible for all the model architectural and back-end development for the model (via programming languages, Python and HTML). Since the inception of the RECONS model, Dr. Cui has provided continued support that is critical to the functionality and operability of RECONS.

Acquiring Dr. Cui’s professional services for this work would be exceptionally cost- and time-efficient, and optimal for the government. Dr. Cui is also responsible for the back-end development for the model, which would be indispensable for creating a tailored version of the RECONS model to be suited for the water supply business line.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: As a means of increasing competition, IWR performed market research by considering academia as well as our IDIQ and other firms; however, due to the unique qualifications of Dr. Cui, including her exceptional understanding of both input-output economic modeling, especially her role in the initial development of the USACE RECONS model, and understanding of Corps projects, our research indicated that any outside firm would not be ideal, and would be more costly to the government, for this specialized work.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: This is not a follow-on requirement. To ensure competition, IWR performed market research considering academia as well as the IDIQ and other firms. However, due to the unique qualifications of Dr. Cui for this task, as outlined above, any other firms/academics would not be ideal and would be more costly to the government.

8. Market Research: Market research has been performed, including literature review of academic papers to identify subject matter experts with similar qualifications. However, due to the unique nature of this requirement/task, Dr. Cui would be the best fit.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express an interest. Notices required by FAR 5.201 will be published, and any bids or proposals received will also be considered.

10. Other Facts: Dr. Cui has a long-standing history of supporting USACE IWR and USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), dating back to 2010. Dr. Cui is uniquely qualified for the tasks outlined in this contract as she is a pioneering member of the RECONS team – part of the original team that developed the RECONS model. Intimate knowledge of this model is critical for successful completion of this task.

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: The anticipated cost to the Government for this contracting action is fair and reasonable based on the procedures found at FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii), comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi), comparison to an independent Government estimate. The exemption for providing Certified Cost & Price data found at FAR 15.403-1(b)(3), (Commercial Items) applies to this requirement as the contract action is below the threshold for certified cost and pricing data.

David A. Kaplan Contracting Officer

12. Contracting Officer Certification: Contracting Officer’s Approval: Based on the foregoing, I approve the acquisition described above on other than full and open competition basis provided funds are available and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

David A Kaplan Contracting Officer

Approval Based on the foregoing, I approve the acquisition described above in the amount of $XX,XXX.XX on other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

David A. Kaplan Contracting Officer

Prepared by:

Bart Dziadosz Contract Specialist