E04_01__Redacted_WBR-1406_303-1_JOTFOC_FAR-13_5_4-2021_1.pdf

Solicitation: 140R2021Q0083 Page 1 of 6

WBR 1406.303-1 Template 1 (04/2021)

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

In accordance with FAR 6.302 or FAR 13.501(a), the proposed contractual action is pursuant to the statutory authority identified in paragraph 4. This template is required for actions over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (unless the procurement is acquired as a limited source IAW FAR 8.405-6 or is an Exception to Fair Opportunity IAW FAR 16.505(b)(2)).

1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 6.303-2(b)(1)).

U.S Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation California Great Basin, Acquisition Services Sacramento, CA 95825

2. Nature/Description of Action (FAR 6.303-2(b)(2)).

This requirement is to procure contractor’s service to investigate potential effects of climate change on water supplies and demands in these basins and to recommend adaptive responses to potential changes in future climate conditions. This procurement is to award a Firm-Fixed Price purchase order to Brown and Caldwell (BC) Team to finalize the Salinas and Carmel River Basin Study. The BC Team is a previous contractor that provided this service via task order R17PD00729. The task order expired on February 14, 2021. Due to BC Team’s GSA contract expiring, a logical follow-on task order to an original task order is not a possible option. However, the government still has a need for the contractor to complete and finalize the study. Therefore, this procurement will be issue as an open market action as a follow-on contract to acquire BC Team services to continue the study effort where they left off and finalize the study. Fiscal year 2021 funds will be used.

3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 6.303-2(b)(3)).

The purpose of this Basin Study is to investigate potential effects of climate change on water supplies and demands in these basins and to recommend adaptive responses to potential changes in future climate conditions. In general, the contractor shall be responsible for interpreting the technical information developed for this Basins Study by the United State Geological Survey (USGS) and Reclamation’s Technical Services Center (TSC), documenting the technical information developed in several technical memorandums and for preparing the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study Report (SCRBS). The contractor shall work cooperatively with the USGS and TSC in the preparation of the basin study’s technical memoranda which provide detailed information regarding the processes, procedures and methods employed in the technical development of the SCRBS. A major role for the contractor is to also manage the public

Solicitation: 140R2021Q0083 Page 3 of 6

(04/2021) work being done by Reclamation, USGS, and the various Partners, and the work that the BC Team did for the Monterey DCP, the BC Team offers Reclamation recognized experts in water resources engineering, agricultural and urban water demand analysis, climate change and adaptation strategy analysis, and community outreach and education

– all of whom have worked with the Salinas and Carmel basins. The benefits of the BC Team are as follows:

A. Continuity of the management team from the Monterey DCP and technical analysis of the Basin Study to date. The BC Team developed and completed the Monterey DCP. Through this work the contractor has a clear understanding of the linkages and coordination points between the Monterey DCP and the Basin Study.

The BC Team has coordinated with Reclamation on the linkages of the DCP and the Basin Study and helped developed approaches to minimize the overlap of data collections, maximize the efficiency of analysis and create a coordinated stakeholder process to provide understanding of the study interface, limit stakeholder “overload” and coordinate data management.

B. Keen understanding of the local hydrology and vulnerabilities. The BC Team has been working with both Monterey County and San Luis Obispo County in evaluating surface water and groundwater resources in the Salinas and Carmel River Basins.

This past work gives the BC Team a solid foundation in local knowledge to provide a sound Basin Study. The BC team has more than seven years of experience performing work similar in technical nature to the Basin Study including Paso Basin Supply Options Study, Salinas River Basin Modeling, Salinas and Carmel River Basin Study grant application, and the Monterey Drought Contingency Plan. The BC Team has also completed numerous other related projects that include assessment of water supplies, water demands, and water system infrastructure improvements and other projects for the City of Salinas and the Monterey Water Pollution Control Agency that also contribute to the BC Team’s ability to support Reclamation on the Basin Study.

C. Seamless public involvement and outreach activities. The BC Team’s knowledge of the local issues and the trust built with local stakeholders provides coordination, consistency, and efficiency in keeping the public, elected officials, and special interest parties informed.

D. Close coordination with the modeling team. The BC Team worked closely with Monterey County Water Resources Agency and USGS to develop a conceptual modeling framework that linked surface water, groundwater, and operations to facilitate comprehensive Salinas River basin water simulations. This included frequent engagement and review by the Model Development Technical Advisory Committee and incorporation of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Model and

Solicitation: 140R2021Q0083 Page 4 of 6

(04/2021)

Seaside Groundwater Basin Model. The BC Team has been working closely with Bureau of Reclamation, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and USGS on the Basin Study to develop Basin study metrics, water demand projections, and detailed alternatives portfolios that can be integrated into the basin modeling that USGS is conducting.

E. Clear understanding of Reclamations’ goals and objectives. The BC Team supported development of the Plan of Study (POS), supporting Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) and Reclamation through the development of the POS including developing tasks, descriptions, review of text, and information linking the Basin Study and the DCP. The BC Team members were the contractor to San Luis Obispo County that represented the Partners for the development of the letter proposal for the Basin Study. The BC Team has a unique understanding of all the tasks in the PWS and POS, the assumptions and drivers behind their development, and the roles of the Federal and non-Federal agencies in the Basin Study. The BC Team brings a wealth of experience with Reclamation projects and programs that will help our team deliver a Basin Study that is thorough, defensible, and actionable.

6. Description of efforts made to maximize competition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(6)).

The notice of intent to award a sole source contract was posted on SAM.gov on July 6, 2021, with a close date of July 13, 2021, and did not result in any responses of interest.

The notice included a statement that all responsible sources may submit the capability statement for the Government to consider. As stated, this procurement is a continuation of the original contractor’s service to finalize the Salinas and Carmel River Basin Study.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)).

The Contracting Officer will evaluate the price proposed to determine it is fair and reasonable IAW evaluation techniques at FAR Par 13.106-3.

8. Description of Market Research Conducted (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)).

Market research was conducted on the SBA Small Business Dynamic Search website using NAICS code 541620 and keywords technically unique to this requirement such as “river, climate, and aquatic”, resulting a total of 331 contractor profiles matching the criteria. The results show there are more than three small businesses that are capable to perform this requirement; it was determined in the best interest of the government to sole source this requirement to the initial Contractor, Brown and Caldwell to continue and finalize the Salina and Carmel Basin Study versus compete this requirement and award to a new contractor.

Solicitation: 140R2021Q0083 Page 5 of 6

(04/2021)

9. Any Other Supporting Facts (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)).

It is not cost effective to the Government to compete this procurement as it would result in a duplication of effort to re-accomplish the original study. Awarding this procurement to a new contractor to continue the required work needed would result in an additional cost to bring a new contractor up to the current knowledge level of the BC Team, which could delay completing the project, schedule increases, and resulting in an increase of cost to the government. The government estimates that it would cost the government an additional $100,000 to bring a new contractor up to the current knowledge level of BC Team and risk technical errors that are known to BC Team. The BC Team service is needed to finalize the Salinas Carmel River Basin Study.

10. Listing of Interested Sources (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)).

Brown and Caldwell 1590 Drew Ave. Ste 210 Davis, CA 95618

11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(11)).

Action to remove barriers to competition have been considered. As the proposed contractor has developed an in-depth knowledge of the study and prepared of the technical memoranda that will be revised and linked to new memoranda, it is in the Government’s best interest to award to the proposed contractor to save both time and money. In the future, if there a new requirement for this type of service arise, it will be competed as prior procurement was competed and awarded based on a competitive quote.