WildCAD_J A_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

TEST PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

D15PS00344

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This document is a sole source justification for the Department of the Interior’s Office of Wildland Fire (OWF) and this acquisition is being conducted by the Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Herndon, VA office.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This acquisition is a new requirement to provide technical support during the installation with continuing support after installation of Wildland Fire Computer Aided Dispatch (WildCAD) version 6.X. It is anticipated that this will be a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract with support that entail’s installation of new servers, upgrades and help desk support from the manufacturer, Bighorn Information Systems.

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Wild Fire Computer Aided Dispatch (WildCAD) is a GIS-based Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system developed by Bighorn Information Systems for wildland fire agencies.

WildCAD is targeted for Emergency Communications Centers of all sizes. WildCAD 5.X was intended to be installed on a host Windows 7 SP1 desktop or a file share using an MS Access file for the database. The WildCAD software is a shared environment so users in local dispatch offices could access the application and share a single database.

The WildCAD 6.X enhancement will migrate from a MS Access file to a MS SQL Express database and is designed to be installed similar to the current WildCAD 5.X. WildCAD 6.X has also integrated features that allow for incident data to be uploaded to the Integrated Reporting of Wildland-Fire Information (IRWIN). This service allows authoritative incident data created in WildCAD by interagency dispatchers to be shared and updated with an additional 26 wildland fire applications. Bighorn Information Systems has implemented a WildCAD Integration Server which acts as the central consolidation point of all instances of WildCAD. The WildCAD Integration Server is the single integration point between WildCAD and IRWIN for data exchange.

The vendor is to provide on-site and remote support, maintenance, training and necessary enhancements to integrate existing WildCAD data with the existing Wildland Fire Systems.

The work includes the installation for new servers and upgrades.

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Supporting for WildCAD 6.X will provide a common capability across all participating functional areas for capturing, reporting, and sharing event/incident information, currently in approximately 117 dispatch centers, and installation of small servers at each site where WildCAD is used.

Tasks:

a. Provide help desk support during WildCAD 6.X deployment and support.

b. Ensure WildCAD 6.X meets the annual IRWIN integration specifications for integrating wildland fire data across the enterprise.

c. Provide continued support of data exchange services.

d. Participate in annual testing documentation and training.

Period of Performance and estimated cost:

Base Year: June 15, 2015 – June 14, 2016 Option Period 1: June 15, 2016 – June 14, 2017 Option Period 2: June 15, 2017 – June 14, 2018 Option Period 3: June 15, 2018 – June 14, 2019 Option Period 4: June 15, 2019 – June 14, 2020

The total estimated value of the acquisition for the base year and all option years (if exercised) is

XXXXXX.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41U.S.C 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Bighorn Information Systems is the sole proprietor, and developer of WildCAD software and it is beneficial to the Office of Wildland Fire Agency to contract solely with Bighorn Information Systems for the deployment and support of WildCAD 6.X. WildCAD 6.X has already been acquired by the Department of the Interior and support is needed to assist in Deployment. Bighorn Information systems as the software developer is the only contractor capable of providing performance at the level of quality required because the supplies/services are unique and highly specialized and the developer has not shared the proprietary information to an extent that any other source would be capable of meeting the needs of the Government.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

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As required by the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416), the justification will be made publically available within 14 days to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) via the Federal Business Opportunity web site. It will be a combined synopsis/solicitation. If, as a result of the posting, other potential sources are identified that demonstrates clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that competition will be the most advantageous acquisition strategy to the Government, for these requirements, a determination to compete the proposed action may be made.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Government will utilize various techniques in order to determine the cost/price is fair and reasonable by a comparison of the price submitted by the vendor for this requirement to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and comparison with pricing for similar efforts provided to the Government. The AQD Contracting Officer will also seek price discounts and make a determination as to the reasonableness of the vendor’s price quote.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Required Sources of Services The required products and services are not available from the Mandatory Sources of supplies and services listed in FAR Part 8.002 or the Other Mandatory Sources listed in FAR Part 8.003. If an agency is unable to satisfy requirements for supplies and services from the mandatory sources listed in 8.002 and 8.003, agencies are encouraged to consider satisfying requirements from or through the non-mandatory sources listed in FAR Part 8.003 (a)(2). The described services and maintenance are not available on the Federal Supply Schedule or Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).

Sources

The DOI OWF subject matter experts are aware of the market competitors and have evaluated and monitored this software over the past couple of years, and found that no single competitors’ product or services meets the immediate needs or near future of the program.

Existing market competitors’ products would all require a high degree of customization to meet the needs of the wildland fire dispatch community. The wildland fire community is in the process of identifying national requirements for a CAD and any future CAD will be expected to meet those requirements. In the meantime, WildCAD is in place in 117 Interagency Wildland Fire Dispatch Centers. It is most cost effective for the Government to maintain WildCAD until the business community defines the national requirements and a replacement CAD is procured.

Commercial Item Determination Based on market research conducted, the Government made the determination these services

D15PS00344 Page 4 of 5 are available within the commercial market place. In accordance with the definition of a commercial item in FAR 2.101, (8) it was determined that the WildCAD software is a non-developmental item developed exclusively at private expense and sold in substantial quantities, on a competitive basis, to multiple State and local governments.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

Not applicable.

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

None known at this time.

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.

The Government will continue research on emerging technology/software applications to enhance the competition for future requirements, keeping a close watch on the IT market to identify viable alternatives as they become available. Subsequent acquisitions will be evaluated for additional sources on a case-by-case basis. At this time, an interdepartmental effort is underway to define national business requirements for Wildland fire Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. Once those requirements are defined, a full and open competition will be completed. Requirements development is expected to be complete by 2016. In the meantime, the existing CAD must be maintained to ensure safe and efficient dispatch of local resources for wildland fire incidents. The risk and potential of negative consequences that may result from not obtaining this support could be catastrophic.

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12. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

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

K. Christopher Dragan Date Contracting Officer

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

Christopher Markle, COR Date Assistant Director, Office of Wildland Fire

14. Reviews and Approvals

Signature: ___________________________ Date: ______________

Name: James Troutman

AQD Team Lead

Signature: ___________________________ Date: ______________

Name: Shannon Griffin

AQD Branch Chief

APPROVAL

Signature: ___________________________ Date: ______________

Name: Katherine Valltos

AQD Division Chief