EIU_Single-Limited Source-or-Brand Name Justification Form.pdf

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 1 of 5

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE -or- BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION for

COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

The Government is required to ensure that the procurement of goods and services is adequately competitive. In the event that certain goods or services are only available from a certain source, or that a specific brand of a product is required, adequate justification must be provided. Below must be completed in its entirety and all answers filled out as completely as possible.

IAW FAR 5.102(a)(6), when an acquisition contains brand name specifications, the Contracting Officer shall include with the solicitation the justification or documentation required by 6.302- 1(c) [@ Government Point of Entry (GPE) https://www.sam.gov minimum 30-days combined synopsis IAW 12.603], 13.106-1(b) [under Simplified Acquisition Threshold], or 13.501 [sole source exempt from FAR Part 6 and not exceeding $900k], redacted as necessary.

Select the appropriate justification by placing an X in the appropriate box below.

This purchase requires Single / Limited Source Justification (LSJ). The goods or services requested can only be procured through one specific entity because of its manufacture or other specifications. By checking this box, the requester asserts that adequate market research has been performed to reach this determination.

OR

This purchase requires a Brand Name Justification. Due to pre-existing specifications, a specific brand of the given goods or services is required to satisfy the need. By checking this box, the requester asserts that adequate market research has been performed to reach this determination.

For the following questions, provide all information available, as specifically as possible.

1. What goods or services are required? For brand name or equal, salient characteristics below are firm requirements. A proposed "equal" item must meet the below firm requirements to be considered for award.

Vendor THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT, NA, INCORPORATED

Product Platform

Viewpoint (Country Analysis Advanced Global) and Operational Risk

NAICS Code products 424920 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers products 513210 Software Publishers products 518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services services 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-6#FAR_6_302_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-6#FAR_6_302_1 https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_106_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_13_501 https://sam.gov/entities/view/JBMWBGN1Z719/coreData?status=active&emrKeyValue=1002179%7E1779544320340847&regId=17615877

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 2 of 5

PSC products 7630 NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS products 7A21 IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION

SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)

products 7H20

IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM PRODUCTS:

DATABASE, MAINFRAME, MIDDLEWARE (HW,

PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)

services B507 ECONOMIC STUDIES

Firm Requirements

1. As attached, the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation scope (Statement of Work/Requirements (SOW or

SOR).

2. Describe the level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs.

EXIM Bank requires a robust database providing macroeconomic and risk information, especially about emerging market countries, to support EXIM’s economists, librarians, loan officers, and policy analysts. The analysis provided must be original and relevant. EXIM staff must be able to contact analysts with queries. The online platform must be reliable, requiring minimal downtime and quick attention to technical difficulties that may arise.

2. What market research was conducted to conclude that a Single Source or Brand Name justification is necessary?

Market Research

THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT, NA, INCORPORATED features are essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature(s) as described in the specified in the solicitation scope (Statement of Work/Requirements (SOW or SOR), do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

Efforts to obtain competition and identify alternative sources or brands to satisfy requirement(s) are based off market research conducted by way of internet research, discussions with EXIM economists, and previous librarian experience working with this information and data.

3. Are there any substitutes or equivalent items or products that could firmly meet mission requirements? If not, explain.

https://sam.gov/entities/view/JBMWBGN1Z719/coreData?status=active&emrKeyValue=1002179%7E1779544320340847&regId=17615877

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 3 of 5

No. We have not found a similar database to replace the information and data provided by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

EIU:

• analyzes and reports on over 200 countries in-depth;

• creates concise, comprehensive one-click reports providing snapshots of countries and/or regions, especially useful for busy executives and for travel;

• provides financial and economic risk assessments with coverage of security, the regulatory and tax environments and the impact of infrastructural inadequacies on investment and local operations;

• provides up-to-date articles on the latest developments in risk-prone areas;

• offers other flagship products such as Industry Forecast reports, a monthly Commodity

Forecast, a Democracy Index report, a Global Future Scenario Watchlist, and more.

Substitute(s) or equivalent

No – as described above per #2, Market Research.

4. What is the specific reason for this Single Source or Brand Name Justification? Include all applicable executive orders, regulations, and any other documentation.

Applicable conditions

FAR Part 6 - Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984

• Competition is the default for federal acquisitions, ensuring fairness and cost-effectiveness.

• Contracting Officers advocate for promoting broad participation.

• Agencies must justify any non-competitive awards and follow structured procedures.

Executive Order (E.O.) 14267 - Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers (April 9, 2025)

5. FAR 6.302 et seq. identifies circumstances which permit other than full and open competition. Select the option most applicable and then explain.

Only one responsible source, and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (FAR 6.302-1).

An unusual and compelling urgency such that injury to the agency may result (FAR

6.302-2).

Source is necessary for Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability purposes

(FAR 6.302-3).

Source is mandated by International Agreement (FAR 6.302-4).

Source is authorized or required by Statute (FAR 6.302-5).

Source is mandated by National Security concerns (FAR 6.302-6).

Source is mandated by Public Interest (FAR 6.302-7).

Other: Not applicable.

6. FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999), governs how “equal” products are defined, evaluated, and offered.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/6.302

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 4 of 5

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by-

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of provision)

INSTRUCTIONS to potential offerors to be considered for award, all of the following must be met:

a. Offer requirements: Offers of “equal” product(s) (including those from the brand name manufacturer) must:

i. Meet the specified salient characteristics.

ii. Clearly identify the item by brand name (if any) and make/model number.

iii. Include descriptive literature (e.g., illustrations, drawings) or reference previously furnished data.

iv. Describe any planned modification(s) to conform to solicitation requirements, with modification(s) marked clearly, and the latest date which modification(s) would be implemented. If the latest date which implementation of modification(s) are after the solicitation closing / due date and time, offer may be considered for the next option period or recompete.

v. Attestation that the “equal” product(s) are commercial items with any modification(s).

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vi. Offer must provide line-item pricing for an initial base period of 12 months, plus four (4) 1-year option periods of 12 months.

b. Evaluation basis: The Contracting Officer will evaluate “equal” products based on information provided by the offeror only; they are not responsible for locating or obtaining unprovided information.

c. Default: Unless the offeror explicitly states the product is “equal,” they must offer the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

d. Offer confirmation receipt: Offerors are to receive confirmation of receipt within two (2) hours after emailing to the Contracting Officer (CO) no later than the solicitation closing / due date and time.

PROGRAM OFFICE’S FINDINGS

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and demonstrates that procuring the brand represents the best value, considering price, quality, and as applicable, compatibility with existing systems.

10/06/2026 Contracting Officer Representative (COR) signature and date Export Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Patricia Ludlow, Contracting Officer (CO) signature and date Export Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)