B12_Attachment_1_Redacted_J_A_Redacted_2.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR 6.3)

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Geology Energy and Minerals Science Center, Reston Acquisition Branch plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for use of one of the exceptions to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This action involves the licensing of reprocessed two-dimensional (2D) seismic reflection data from the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA). The proposed awardee is 3D Imaging Technology located in Denver, Colorado.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The Geology Energy and Minerals Science Center, Alaska Basins and Petroleum Systems project requires the acquisition of reprocessed, digital, two-dimensional (2D), seismic reflection data from the NPRA. These seismic data are required to conduct research pertinent to the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. In addition, the USGS is providing scientific support to the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to better understand the undiscovered oil and gas potential of the NPRA. Results are used by DOI and BLM to formulate and administer land-use decisions pertaining to leasing, lease-sale administration, and oversight of oil exploration activities within NPRA.

The subject 2D seismic data were collected during 1974 to 1981 by contractors working at the direction of the USGS, and the original raw data are available at no cost from the following USGS website: https://certmapper.cr.usgs.gov/data/apps/NPRA/.

3D Imaging Technology obtained the original raw seismic data from the USGS web site and reprocessed the data using state-of-the-art technology and software to (1) improve the resolution of the data, (2) produce derivative products that enhance the utility of the data, and (3) deliver digital products that can be easily loaded into digital workstations.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded without full and open competition under 41 U.S.C. 253(a)(1) as implemented in FAR 6.302-1.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. An explanation of seismic reflection data and several pertinent definitions are provided in section 7.

a. 3D Imaging Technology is the only vendor possessing reprocessed 2D seismic data in the

NPR-A needed for the USGS to complete the work described in section 3. Other vendors can reprocess this data if they wish, but to date, have not done so per market research.

b. The USGS has conducted a search of all companies that offer licenses for reprocessed 2D seismic reflection data in the NPRA. Using the parameters described in section 7 (below), the data offered for licensing by 3D Imaging Technology in the NPRA is the only available to meet the Government's minimum needs.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

a. Other than 3D Imaging Technology, no other seismic processing company has obtained the original raw data from the USGS and reprocessed that data across a broad part of NPRA where the USGS has the greatest need. We know this because (1) we monitor which companies download the original raw data from the USGS web side and (2) we maintain knowledge of all seismic processing companies that currently conduct work in the region.

b. Regular interactions with the oil industry community in Alaska and State and Federal agencies responsible for overseeing oil exploration activities in Alaska enables the USGS to know historical seismic data collection and to monitor ongoing surveys. In addition, public domain files from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Division of Oil and Gas, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management describing issued seismic survey permits were searched. No additional seismic companies offering 2D seismic data in the NPRA were found.

c. The USGS received no responses to the sources sought.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.

There are very few seismic companies that own data-for-license in the Alaska North Slope, and virtually all data are in unique locations, so there is little that can be done by the Government to increase competition. However, future requirements will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extent practical.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

David W. Houseknecht Senior Research Geologist

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. Prices will be determined fair and reasonable by comparing prices paid on previous orders.

b. All of the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act, (41 U.S.C. 253), as implemented in the Federal and Interior Acquisition Regulations, have been considered in preparing this justification. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Daniel Galvin Contracting Officer, Reston Acquisition Branch

Stacey Diamond Chief, Reston Acquisition Branch

Jennifer Kelley Chief, Reston Acquisition Branch