GSA_FSS_Limited_Sources_Justification.pdf

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE

PROGRAM

For Procurement Request Number: 83-40-14078

Upon the basis of the following justification, prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(c), I, as the Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of sources limited to fewer than those required in FAR 8.405-1, FAR 8.405-2, and FAR 8.405-3 pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 251 as implemented by FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B). This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq.

and 40 U.S.C. 501).

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

US Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Acquisition and Grants Management

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Mail Stop: E65-101, HCFA-31

Washington, DC 20590

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

Approval to limit sources for PR No. 83-40-14078 and to award a Sole Source, Firm-Fixed

Price, General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Order to

Operational Research Consultants, Inc. (ORC) for non-personal, professional services in support of the FHWA Office of Information & Management Services (HAIS).

3. A complete description of the supplies and/or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

FHWA’s HAIS has a requirement to receive e-authentication connection services for Non-

Federal users. This authentication allows the Non-Federal users access to secure FHWA applications in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance provided under M-04-04. The e-authentication must include Level 2 credentialing of users and a connection service that uses SAML 1.0, including maintenance. The connection also must be able to use the FHWA’s existing hardware infrastructure and software platform. The period of performance for the proposed order is 4/30/2014 through 3/31/2015. The anticipated value of the order is $291,954.

4. An identification of the LSJ rationale, and if applicable, a demonstration of the contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – “Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.”

ORC’s e-authentication connection service is compatible with FHWA’s use of SAML 1.0 protocol. Compatibility with SAML 1.0 protocol is the unique qualification that ORC possesses that is essential to fulfill the Governments requirement.

5. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders, and the results of the research, or a statement why market research was not conducted. A statement must be made that the supplies and services are available from the FSS.

Market Research was conducted for this requirement by reviewing the appropriate GSA FSS eLibrary website page for available vendors under GSA Schedule No. 70 (General Purpose

Commercial Information Technology Equipment, Software, and Services), Special Item

Number (SIN) 132 60B [Electronic Credentials, Identity Proofed (Assurance Level 2 OMB

M-04-04) Managed Service Offering]. There are only two companies listed under SIN 132

60B; ORC, and E & E Enterprises Global, Inc. (E&E). After researching E&E’s 339 page

“Product Offering and Terms and Conditions” on the GSA site, their service was not mentioned to be compliant with the FHWA’s use of SAML1.0 protocol.

Operational Research Consultants, Inc. provides the necessary service for the FHWA through their GSA Schedule Contract Number GS-35F-0164J, and is the only known source that can satisfy FHWA’s requirement for e-authentication connection services.

6. Any other facts supporting the limited source justification.

The FHWA would have to re-authenticate 2,000 State Department of Transportation (State

DOT) and Metropolitan Planning Office (MPO) users if service not compatible with the

SAML 1.0 protocol were to be provided. These users would have to go through a time consuming and costly security check process re-authorization which would disrupt usage of the FHWA systems.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

The FHWA will complete additional market research next year if it has an identical requirement for e-authentication connection services. If one or more additional vendors can satisfy this requirement then the FHWA will compete this requirement in accordance with FAR 8.405-1(d).