CSAV_Redacted_2.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity:

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Volcano Science Center.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved:

The USGS-Department of State Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) seeks a new contract with the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) at the University of Hawaii

Hilo (UHH) to provide logistical services and training for fourteen (14) mid-level career scientists from foreign institutions that are international partners with VDAP.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

VDAP needs to support the participation of fourteen (14) people from developing countries, to meet VDAP’s mission in volcano-hazards mitigation and volcano monitoring. All fourteen (14) intended participants are from government institutes that have responsibility for monitoring volcanoes in their respective countries. Participants have been selected from Indonesia, Chile, Guatemala, Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Philippines, and Rwanda. CSAV will provide all logistical services to bring foreign participants to the US, including obtaining US visas, making travel arrangements, and obtaining medical insurance for students while in the country. During the course, CSAV will feed and house the students as well as transport them to various locations in the US.

4. Estimated Dollar Value:

5. Statutory Authority:

The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-

1(b) (1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5:

CSAV is the only institution in the United States which offers this unique course providing formal training in the monitoring of active volcanic processes and managing volcanic crises.

Hawaiian volcanoes are among the most active in the world, but unlike violently explosive volcanoes they can be approached and studied with low risk, therefore, the Big Island of Hawaii provides an ideal environment for learning about and using volcano monitoring techniques. The location of CSAV makes it uniquely suited to provide this service to VDAP. There are no other known sources with this unique capability in this ideal location. That fact, combined with its field area on active, relatively safe Hawaiian volcanoes, makes this vendor unique for this requirement.

7. Other Information: N/A

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

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

Sources Sought 140G0326Q0026 was posted on SAM.gov for five days. Two responses were received. The USGS scientists reviewed the capabilities statements. None of interested vendors meet the requirement as they do not have experience providing formal training in the monitoring of active volcanic systems and managing volcanic crises to reduce risks and safeguard lives and property in the course participants’ home countries.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition:

Any future requirements will be competed to the maximum extent practicable.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office:

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a limited source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

, VDAP Deputy Director for Budget and Metrics Date

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. The contracting officer will include a determination that the order represents a fair and reasonable price to the Government prior to award.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Yangzhi Deng, Contracting Officer Date

12. Approvals:

Bureau Competition Advocate (Acting) Date