Justification_for_other_than_full_and_open_competition_-_Thomson_Eikon_-_final__-_FBO_posting.pdf

Justification for other than full and open competition

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity: Commodity Futures

Trading Commission (CFTC) Financial Management Branch.

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved. Subscription to Thomson Reuters Eikon terminals.

(3) A description of services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value). CFTC requires access to Thomson Reuters Eikon financial market, analytic data, and news platform. This service provides access to market pricing data, as well as Reuters’ newsfeeds, and allows for market analysis. The CFTC currently uses Thomson Reuters Eikon terminals at its DC headquarters, and New York and Chicago field offices. The data provided by these terminals is unique to Thomson Reuters and cannot be obtained via any other source.

The estimated value of this effort is $241,572 for a base and options.

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1 – Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, the authority for permitting other than full and open competition is 41. U.S.C 3304(a)(1) – Use of Noncompetitive Procedures.

(5) A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. Thomson Reuters is the only vendor that can provide the required financial data and news due to the heavy volume of data from the numerous exchanges, markets, and exchange feeds.

Thomson Reuters is the only source for Eikon licenses, and as a major trading exchange in the FX market is the only source for some data from that trading platform.

(6) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. Other vendors were not solicited for this effort.

In accordance with 6.305, this justification will be posted to FBO.

(7) A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable. The contracting officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable. Prior to award, the monthly terminal cost was compared to historical costs.

(8) A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. The CFTC Division offices identified sources for data that are needed to facilitate the fulfillment of their responsibilities. While, some portions of the data can be obtained elsewhere, the full comprehensive scope of data (including trading data only obtainable from this platform) provided by Eikon terminals is only available through Thomson Reuters.

(9) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

Because of the unique data provided by Thomson Reuters, full and open competition is not suitable for this contract action. As stated in 41. U.S.C 3304(a)(1), an agency may limit competition when “the property of services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency.”

(10) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. N/A

(11) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. If possible, CFTC will make every effort to compete future data terminal contracts.

(12) Certification and approvals:

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Program office:

Karen Marshall

Concur:

Contracting Officer:

Karen E. Oettinger