FAR 6.3_JOFOC Carisa Harris Adamson_Redacted.pdf

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United States Department of Agriculture Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Commercial Supplies/Services Exceeding $7.5 Million, and Non-Commercial Supplies/Services Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

FAR 6.3

Control No.: Version No. One

Dated: 1 August 2022

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service proposes to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition, and negotiate a sole source, firm fixed-price contract with Carisa Harris Adamson, PhD, CPE.

The contractor will assist FSIS in assessing the relationship between slaughter line speed in young chicken and swine slaughter establishments and the scope, magnitude, and factors that influence worker safety and health risks for establishment employees working on the slaughter line. This should include the impact of acute and cumulative work-related musculoskeletal disorders and antimicrobial-related respiratory diseases specifically related to slaughter line speed. The overall purpose of this consultation is to provide specialized knowledge and expertise in workplace safety and health, and to advise FSIS regarding the development and implementation of guidance and regulatory frameworks to identify collateral effects, including the risk of worker injuries and illnesses, related to slaughter line speeds.

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

FSIS requires contracting support to design and conduct a study in the area of possible collateral health effects of increased poultry slaughter line speeds, including ergonomic hazards in the workplace, measurement of biomechanical risk factors for acute and cumulative work-related musculoskeletal disorders, epidemiology, and ergonomics research. The study will be used as neutral, expert neutral opinion for a pending litigation.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The following circumstance provides the justification for other than full and open competition under FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(iii):

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“To acquire the services of an expert or neutral person for any current or anticipated litigation or dispute.”

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

Dr. Harris Adamson received a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Tufts University. She then completed a double Masters in Physical Therapy and Exercise Physiology from the University of California at San Francisco and San Francisco State University. She developed a keen interest in Occupational Health through her work in various Occupational Medicine Clinics and eventually spent 10 years growing a company that provided Onsite Injury Treatment and Prevention Services to large, self-insured companies.

She returned the University of California at Berkeley to receive a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences. Her dissertation work and post-doctoral assessed the relationship between personal, biomechanical risk factors and upper extremity disorders, adjusting for the healthy worker survivor effect.

Carisa Harris, PhD, PT, CPE is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, and in the School of Public Health at the University of California at Berkeley. She is also the Director of the UCSF/UCB Ergonomics Research & Graduate Training Program and the Deputy Director of the Northern California Center of Occupational & Environmental Health. She received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley and teaches a variety of classes including Occupational Biomechanics and Industrial Engineering Human Factors Design.

Dr. Harris and her team performs research in a variety of areas focused on understanding and preventing work related injuries and improving human performance, productivity, and health. Her epidemiological research assesses and adjusts for healthy worker survivor bias in the assessment of physical, personal, and work psychosocial factors associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and subsequent work disability. Additionally, her team is developing a variety of exposure assessment devices (wearables) for primary and secondary prevention purposes and performs various intervention studies on occupational tasks with high risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The lab has a history of performing research in the construction, computer, medical, hotel and manufacturing sectors.

From a global health perspective, Dr. Harris collaborates on research assessing the impact of heavy load carrying among women in developing countries (Nepal, Tanzania, Ethiopia) on associated morbidity.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

FSIS has researched the qualifications of many Occupational Health professionals but not have identified any “willing” individuals to meet the Government’s requirements within the required

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7. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

FSIS has reviewed the qualifications of many Occupational Health professionals and have identified a limited amount of professionals that were qualified to serve as natural, expert witness. FSIS has reviewed University Professionals, GSA Schdules, internal and external GWACs.

8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

There are no additional facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

9. Listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

Carisa Harris Adamson, PhD, CPE

10. Statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

FSIS will not take action(s) to remove barriers to competition as the requirement is not reoccurring and the qualifications to meet this requirement in the future as based solely on the requests of the Court in the pending litigation.

11. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine if the cost to the Governemnt will be fair and reasonable by analysising pricing information provided by the offeror in accordance with FAR 15.404.

Certifications & Approvals

☒ The information provided for this justification has been reviewed and certified accurate and complete by (Insert Name), Program/Technical Personnel.

Contracting Officer (not exceeding $750,000). I have reviewed this justification and certify it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

☒ Approved.

☐ Reviewed and forwarding to the Procuring Activity Advocate (MASCO or Delegate).

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George D. Baptist III Contracting Officer