UDel_sole_soource_2016.pdf

U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E.

of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 Federal Railroad Administration

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Agency: United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad

Administration (FRA), Office of Acquisition and Grants Services, 1200 New Jersey, Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590.

2. Action to be Approved: The FRA intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to

University of Delaware (UDel) for “Relationship Between Track Geometry Defects and Measured Track Subsurface Condition”.

3. Description of Services: This research and development effort is a continuation of work begun under DTFR53-13-C-00066 (Phase I). This award was made using a competitive Broad Agency Announcement process. This research will build upon the Big Data analysis methodology and tools developed and implemented on the recently completed BAA, and will develop relationships between inspection parameters, from the different subsurface and surface inspection technologies being developed by FRA, and the development of track geometry defects. This in turn will allow for identification of track locations with high potential for development, growth and propagation of track geometry defects and the investigation into the increased probability of a geometry defect based on ballast subgrade conditions that precede the development of a geometry defect. The inspection technologies to be examined include Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Vertical Track Deflection Measurement System (VTDMS), Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS), and Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS).

As part of this activity, proprietary analysis algorithm(s) will be developed and evaluated to correlate multiple inspection parameters, from the above noted inspection technologies, with track geometry defects obtained from FRA (and Railroad) track geometry inspection vehicles. Previously demonstrated Big Data analysis tools such as MARS and Bayesian analysis approaches from the previous BAA, will be used to develop predictive deterministic or probability models for the development of geometry defects from ballast and subgrade conditions as defined by GPR, TGMS, VTDMS, GRMS, cone penetrometer, and other ballast and subgrade condition measuring systems..

4. Authority Cited: The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is derived from 41

U.S.C. § 253(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements”.

5. A Demonstration that the Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the

Acquisition Requires Use of the Authority Cited: This research was developed as part of DTFR53-13-C-00066 and, based on our analysis, is unique to the rail industry. No other technique, or source for this technique, is available to the FRA. To re-develop this this research through a new research project with a different supplier would be cost prohibitive.

6. Description of the Effort Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited from as many Potential

Sources as Practicable: Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted on FBO on July 07, 2016 with a closing date of July 22, 2016. No responses were received.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be fair and Reasonable: The contracting officer will perform a price analysis of the contractor’s quotation using a combination of the techniques provided under FAR Subpart 15.404-1 to determine that all proposed costs are fair and reasonable.

8. Market Research: FRA has invested considerable resources in research and analysis of UDel’s process and test results. There are no other known vendors at this time deemed capable of meeting FRA’s requirement for the Big Data analysis methodology and tools developed and implemented on the recently completed BAA. However, the FRA will continue in its efforts to identify alternative or additional sources through peer discussions and other types of research.

9. Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition: FRA is unable to use full and open competition for this purchase order due to specialized knowledge and experienced possessed by University of Delaware personnel in regard to the services being requested.

10. A List of Sources, If Any that Expressed, in Writing, An Interest in the Acquisition: Notice of Intent to Sole Source was posted on FBO on July 07, 2016 with a closing date of July 22, 2016. No responses were received.

11. A Statement of Actions, If Any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any

Barriers to Competition Before Any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services Required: The agency will continue to conduct market research and/or advertise subsequent acquisition for evaluation related supplies or services to remove or overcome barriers to competition.

12. Certifications

Technical Requirements Certification:

I certify that the technical requirements and technical justifications are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

APPROVAL

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve awarding a purchase order to IBR on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. § 253(c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, " Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements,” subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Devona Jackson Date Contracting Officer, RAD-30

Federal Railroad