Sole Source Determination.pdf

SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION

1. Description of Supplies/Services to Acquire

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contracting activity proposes to procure without using full and open competition the services of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

DTRA is purchasing services and building partnerships to support its basic research program and to enhance the technology transition to defense and potential nondefense commercial applications. The proposed demonstration partnership is based on an initial 12-month pilot effort with the National Academies and their affiliate organization, the University Industry

Demonstration Partnership, to sustain and mature the partnership, and to assess future potential.

2. Estimated Value

The estimated value for this one-year procurement is $127,445.

3. Basis for this Action

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is

10 United States Code (U.S.C.). 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l), as implemented by

FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source.

The long established status of the NAS as a unique source of scientific research and policy advice to the Government derives [rom its creation by Congress in 1863, 36 U.S.C. 150303 says:

“On request of the United States Government, the corporation shall investigate, examine, experiment, and report on any subject of science or art. The corporation may not receive compensation for services to the Government, but the actual expense of the investigation, examination, experimentation, and report shall be paid by the Government from an appropriation for that purpose.”

Executive Order 12832 dated January 19, 1993 describes the special relationship of the NAS to the Government and its unique capacity to martial scientific expertise of the highest caliber in order to provide independent and objective science policy advice.

DTRA’s nascent basic research program is maturing to the point where its initial grants are concluding and opportunities are arising to transition the results of the basic research to more advanced research and technology development. Additionally, DTRA’s fundamental research

Defense Threat Reduction Agency 8725 John J. Kingman Drive, MS 6201

Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6201 international program is expanding. Both of these programs will be enhanced by partnering with and piggybacking on existing international and U.S. university and industry initiatives that have been undertaken by the National Academies’ and its affiliate organization, the University

Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP).

The most significant time constraint in this contract action is the reserving of the National

Academies Building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC for conduct of DTRA’s

International Fundamental Research Technical and Programmatic Review, currently scheduled for 5 through 7 November. The National Academies is highly regarded in the international research community and their experience in hosting international venues will greatly contribute to the success of the November international research program and technical review.

The NAS has the unique ability to assemble the Nation's most eminent scholars, who serve as volunteers without compensation on committees and boards, which are then able to render advice and guidance of the highest quality and unparalleled objectivity to address national problems of high priority. Accordingly, only NAS can provide the measure of expertise, independence, objectivity and audience acceptance necessary to meet our program requirements.

Additionally, past lessons learned have shown that a venue at a non-DOD location such as the

National Academies facilitates the in-country approval process for the international researchers.

The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.

Known collectively as the National Academies, the organization produces groundbreaking reports that have helped shape sound policies, inform public opinion, and advance the pursuit of science, engineering, and medicine. This contract action will allow DTRA to partner with and piggyback on this unparalleled resource. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and

Technology (PCAST) issued a report in November 2008 entitled "University-Private Sector

Research Partnerships in the Innovation Ecosystem." which cited the UIDP as a model framework for university-industry collaboration to enhance the commercialization of university research. DTRA’s basic research program is by design, university centric. It would cost the

DTRA millions of dollars to attempt to replicate the current UIDP organization with a membership over 200 leading research universities and industries.

In summary, the private, nonprofit National Academies and its affiliate UIDP are uniquely suited and positioned to provide the support identified in this purchase request.

4. Actions to Take

There is significant federal and defense-wide discussion and initial planning to develop programs and metrics to increase the return on research investment, for both U.S. and international research programs. It is anticipated that by the end of this effort, there may exist DOD programs and organizations that may obviate the need for this unique DTRA-National Academies research partnership initiative.

Contracting Officer Certification

I determine that the above circumstances of this contact action deem only one source reasonably available to satisfy the Government’s requirement.

Contracting Officer 6/21/12