JOFOC_FBO.pdf

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition RTM Procurement Services/EI-13 Requiring Organization: EI-35 PR

#: 16EI000067

1. Identification of Agency/Contracting Activity. The Office of Energy Analysis (EI-30) in the Energy Information Administration (EIA) plans to contract with AIMMS, Inc. by means other than the use of full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for the use of one of the exceptions to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (CICA).

2. Nature and/Or Description of the Action Being Approved. This action is to contract for

30 licenses of the optimization modeling software and optimizer known as “AIMMS + CPLEX,” plus services related to software license maintenance and technical support. The period of performance for the maintenance and technical support services will run from the date of award to 12/31/2016.

Type of Award and Length of Project Period This is a noncompetitive award.

Proposed Recipient AIMMS, Inc.

ATTN: Heidi Fergerstrom 500 108th Avenue NE Suite #1780 Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 458-4024 Heidi.Fergerstrom@aimms.com

3. Description of Supplies/Services to be acquired. The acquisition consists of purchasing 30 additional licenses of the optimization modeling software and optimizer known as “AIMMS + CPLEX,” plus services related to software license maintenance and technical support. The software is used to represent and develop models integrated into the agency’s National Energy Modeling System (NEMS). Licenses are needed for each instance of a NEMS run using the software and each user actively using the software. The additional licenses needed is based on the need for multiple simultaneous runs to support the agency’s workload, along with an increased use for new models and modelers using the software as planned in the coming year.

4. Statutory Authority for Other than Full & Open Competition. In accordance with

Competition in Contracting Act, 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), and implemented by FAR 6.302-1, other than full and open competition is authorized when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies and services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Unique Qualifications of the Proposed Contractor. This vendor, AIMMS, Inc., is the sole owner and provider of this specific software (AIMMS) and the interfaces it provides, and the support services and license maintenance are provided exclusively by them. AIMMS is providing a related third-party optimizer known as CPLEX as part of the licensing arrangement. AIMMS has been used to implement several component models of the mailto:Heidi.Fergerstrom@aimms.com

Requiring Organization: EI-35 PR

National Energy Modeling System since 2012, and recent work in 2015 and planned work to convert or add other modules in AIMMS for NEMS has increased the need for licenses.

EIA’s original use of AIMMS beginning in 2012 was based on market research to evaluate and select the most suitable optimization modeling software for NEMS. In 2015, EIA re-evaluated the two competing optimization modeling products it was using, AIMMS and GAMS, to select one of the two products for all new optimization modeling development.

This in-house evaluation and decision memo recommended the use of AIMMS over GAMS.

based in part on the AIMMS Integrated Development Environment and related usability features, along with the availability of a procedural programming language and other usage flexibility features. Once the models have been implemented in AIMMS, it is difficult to substitute alternative software (such as GAMS), as the features, syntax, and methods are not compatible. Selecting one of the products for future model development is anticipated to reduce training costs, as some staff will need only learn one of the packages.

6. Efforts to Maximize Competition. Before selecting the software provided by this vendor in

2012, EIA performed market research in 2011 of other available off-the-shelf software products suitable for modeling linear optimization problems including Mosel (FICO), OPL (IBM), MPL (Maximal Software), GAMS (GAMS Development Corporation), and OML (Ketron). EIA consulted with ICF, Inc. in a project “Review of National Energy Modeling System Hardware and Software” in which ICF compared the features of these available optimization modeling packages. Following an initial screening evaluation and preliminary recommendation of these products, ICF conducted an in-depth comparison of two that were deemed most suitable and flexible for EIA’s modeling requirements: AIMMS and GAMS.

EIA has now employed both AIMMS and GAMS for several years to implement components of its modeling systems, the choice based on the need and suitability of specific features and characteristics of the software products. In 2015, EIA reassessed its experience and the features of the two modeling suites and elected to pick AIMMS as the software to implement any new or converted optimization models. This decision was based on a re-evaluation of AIMMS and GAMS features, as well as EIA’s three years of experience in using both AIMMS and GAMS for model implementation projects.

7. Anticipated Dollar Value of the Proposed Acquisition. The cost for the 30 licenses plus the maintenance/technical support services represents a reasonable cost to the Government, based on similar services and practices offered by other vendors, as well as the prior licensing costs of the software and maintenance/technical support services previously incurred. The anticipated cost of this acquisition is $180,000.00, which includes the license fees plus maintenance and support services through December 31, 2016.

8. Market Survey and Results. As noted in paragraph 6 above, the EIA conducted a detailed evaluation of the available optimization modeling software products in 2011 when it first started using AIMMS and GAMS. In 2015, EIA performed an in-house evaluation and reassessment of GAMS and AIMMS based on their current features, as well as the experience using the two packages. EIA has found that AIMMS provides the best mix of capabilities, relative to GAMS and similar products and services available from other

Requiring Organization: EI-35 PR vendors. AIMMS software is the only one among the competition that can meet EIA modeling needs because 1) EIA has existing models implemented in AIMMS that could not be converted to use other products without significant and costly re-development effort, with such costs not likely to be recovered through competition, and 2) AIMMS has unique features, such as a sophisticated Integrated Development Environment and procedural language capability that the competitors lack.

9. Other Facts Supporting Use of Other than Full & Open Competition. None.

10. Other Sources Expressing Written Interest in the Requirement. None.

11. Potential Actions by the Agency to Remove/Overcome Barriers to Competition. None.

Requiring Organization: EI-35 PR

CERTIFICATION:

The information contained in this Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Acquisition Initiator:

Daniel Skelly Date Office of Energy Analysis Office of Integrated and International Energy Analysis Energy Information Administration

David J. Lione

Digitally signed by David J. Lione DN: c=us, o=u.s. government, ou=department of energy, ou=Energy IT Services, ou=Energy Information Administration, ou=People, cn=David J. Lione Contract Specialist:

Contracting Officer:

Date: 2016.02.11 08:20:05 -05'00'

David Lione (CONTRACTOR SUPPORT) Date Office of Planning, Budget, Procurement, and Evaluation

Office of Resource & Technology Management

Energy Information Administration Lolita Neal

Digitally signed by Lolita Neal DN: c=us, o=u.s. government, ou=department of energy, ou=Energy IT Services, ou=Energy Information Administration, ou=People, cn=Lolita Neal Date: 2016.02.12 10:44:21 -05'00'

Lolita Neal Date Office of Planning, Budget, Procurement, and Evaluation Office of Resource & Technology

Management Energy Information Administration

NADINE RAFAELS

Digitally signed by NADINE RAFAELS DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=Department of Energy, cn=NADINE RAFAELS, 0.9.2342.19200300.100.1.1=89001003021658 Acquisition Team Lead: Date: 2016.02.12 15:49:44 -05'00'

Nadine Rafaels Date Office of Planning, Budget, Procurement, and Evaluation Office of Resource & Technology

Management Energy Information Administration

EIAHQ\DSA Digitally signed by EIAHQ\DSA DN: cn=EIAHQ\DSA Date: 2016.02.11 07:45:31 -05'00'

9. Other Facts Supporting Use of Other than Full & Open Competition. None.