JOFOC_-_HAVER.docx

Justification For Other Than Full and Open Competition U.S. Census Bureau Acquisition Division

1. Nature Of The Action Being Approved

This action is for a new agreement with Haver Analytics (Haver) to provide Haver Analytics' Data Link Express (DLX) software, software licenses, and software maintenance and support services, and data support services for the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA). ESA has no current contract with Haver. This contract allows for Haver databases to be installed on an ESA server and for the DLX software to be installed on as many systems as required by users.

2. Description of Services

Haver Analytics updates and manages historical time series data for macro strategy and research. The data offering ranges from daily market data to annual economic statistics. ESA will access Haver databases that will installed on an ESA server by means of Haver’s integrated set of DLX software, which allows for up-to-the-second maintenance of the databases as well as viewing and manipulating the data for detailed analysis within the software package. The DLS software also provides tools that allow the data to be used in a variety of econometric packages, including STATA, which is the standard econometric package used within ESA as well as other key federal agencies and academia. Haver provides round-the-clock support covering not just software operations but also analysis of the data provided such that ESA can inquire

3. Statutory Authority

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) - Only One Responsible Source. The supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

4. Unique Qualifications

ESA requires quick and flexible access to up-to-the-minute macroeconomic, trade, and labor market information from Federal, State, and private sources and covering the United States as a whole, as well as states and local areas (cities, counties, metropolitan areas) and foreign countries. These data are required for ESA to provide support, analysis, and advice to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, and other senior level offices, on economic, policy, programmatic, and regulatory issues, as well as on other cross-cutting initiatives.

To allow for quick data access, the databases should be stored on a local server rather than accessed via the internet. The database must be available to multiple users simultaneously with no loss of performance, and the database provider must offer round-the-clock technical and analytical support.

Because of our office’s ongoing joint work with the Council of Economic Advisers, Treasury Department, Labor Department, and Office of Management and Budget, ESA requires our own data files and analyses to be interoperable with these agencies’ own analysis files such that Excel files and Stata programs could be seamlessly shared among agencies, all of whom are using Haver Analytics.

5. Other Potential Sources

A global internet search found only five potential suppliers for the type of interactive data service required: Haver Analytics, Global Insight, Moody’s Economy.com, The Economist Intelligence Unit Data Service, and Macrospect.

6. Fair and Reasonable Cost

With federal government discount, the price for this annual service is $60,803. Haver has a standard menu of prices per database services and a standard federal government discount. These prices are based on the number of servers on which the Haver database files are installed and updated regularly. Haver does not impose a limit on the number of users that would access these datafiles.

7. Market Research

An internet search for enterprises that provide access to a broad range of economic databases resulted in consideration of the following providers: Haver Analytics, Global Insight, Moody’s Economy.com, The Economist Intelligence Unit Data Service, and Macrospect. Based on prior ESA experience with Global Insight, ESA determined that the database products were not sufficient for the type of in-depth data analysis conducted by ESA. Likewise, the Economist Intelligence Unit Data Service and Macrospect provided only limited data. Moody’s Economy.com and Haver Analytics provide somewhat comparable database products. However, while Moody’s Economy.com is a web-based service, Haver Analytics is the only provider that allows for real-time uploading of data to a local server. Having data stored on a local server is not a minor convenience but rather a feature that fundamentally alters ESA’s ability to use the databases to respond quickly, thoroughly, and creatively to assignments from senior DOC and ESA management as well as other senior economic advisers in the Administration.

The following table summarizes ESA’s specific requirements and shows the compliance of each potential vendor. Only Haver is completely compliant.

8. Other Supporting Facts

The amount of time and funds required to train, educate and provide a comparable skill set comparable to Haver’s would cause an unacceptable delay in ESA’s ability to fulfill its mission. Not acquiring the database of Haver Analytics Inc. will jeopardize the ability of BEA’s ability to obtain quality data in a timely manner at competitive cost.

9. Statement of Work

Not applicable. All services performed under this action are industry standardized to the license and require no additional “on-site” support.

10. Supporting Program Data

I (W.Dias) certify that the narrative justification is accurate as provided by the program management office, and verifies the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements and any rationale used to justify other than full and open procedures.

11. Contracting Officer Certification

As Contracting Officer, assigned to the U.S. Census Bureau, I hereby certify that the justification for other than full and open competition for this requirement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.