FY 24 RBN-SoleSourceJustificationFY24 _Signed.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

PROJECT NAME:

Commission‐wide Subscription for RBN Backstage Pass

The following Justification for Other than Full & Open Competition (JOFOC) is prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 6.302‐3.

1. ORGANIZATION:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Office of the Executive Director Commission‐Wide Site License Subscription 888 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20426

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED:

In order to meet the missions and functions of the Commission, staff must stay informed on emerging issues related to energy, oil, natural gas, renewables, natural gas liquids, refined fuels and liquified natural gas in the domestic and international markets. RBN Backstage Pass™ Premium Service Package uniquely meets these requirements by delivering timely analysis, drill down reports and map content for each of these markets with some insights and levels of depth unmatched by other publishers. The information contained in this blog is timely and concise and allows staff to stay abreast in each of the required market areas.

RBN Backstage Pass™ Premium Service Package includes:

Early Access: Access to new blogs a day before the public.

Daily Blog Archive: Access to RBN’s entire archive of thousands of daily energy blogs.

Drill Down Reports: Detailed analysis of major energy market shifts drawing from across the RBN team. (negotiated to include entire historical archive)

Webcasts: online presentations by senior RBN analysts that cover the most important developments happening in the energy markets.

Blog Map Search: search for maps from the blog by state, basin, or keyword.

Playlists: curated collections of blogs intended to teach foundational concepts of energy markets by subject.

Spotcheck: graphs of the key models, ratios and differentials that RBN tracks in the regular course of its business.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT & VALUE:

In accordance with agency objectives, the government has a need to procure a Commission‐wide RBN Backstage Pass™ Premium Service Package. The estimated annual dollar value of this procurement is $15,000.

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(2) in accordance with: (mark only one authority)

[X] FAR 6.302‐1, only one responsible source and no other supplies and services will satisfy Agency Requirements;

[ ] FAR 6.302‐2, Unusual and compelling urgency;

[ ] Other, define below:

5. DEMONSTRATE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:

RBN Energy uniquely provides timely analytical depth unparalleled by other publishers, particularly in natural gas markets. The blog provides news, commentary and fundamental data and analysis that are widely used in the energy industry. A few Commission staff already rely on this blog as a valuable reference point in completing their projects and in analyzing the markets.

6. SOURCES SOUGHT EFFORTS:

Why is this specific Contractor the only one who can supply the service/product?

Some Commission staff have utilized this blog for over five years at a cost of over

$1000/year per subscriber. Staff find these resources extremely helpful for its research and insights and relies upon this information heavily to make better assessments and inquiry/investigative work. The depth of some of the analyses provided insights unparalleled from other publications.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR & REASONABLE PRICING:

How did you reach the conclusion that the pricing was reasonable…market comparison, market survey, comparison shopping, etc.? The pricing is an order of magnitude less than that paid for S&P Global Commodity Insights Publications.

Was the service/product previously acquired? If so, Acquisition personnel will assist you w/historical and competitive data for this section. – Yes, we currently have at least 4 subscribers with individual subscriptions. Staff has found the blog extremely helpful and at least OE and OEPI have sought broader staff adoption with a Commission‐wide subscription.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED & RESULTS:

How did you arrive at the decision to propose this Contractor as the service/product provider?

RBN blog access was specifically requested by numerous staff in the Commission program offices over the years. Due to the popularity of the blog, staff are seeking a Commission‐wide subscription, considering it has a break even cost at merely 12 individual subscriptions. Access to these online publication enables staff and analysts to be more informed and effective in performing their jobs ultimately resulting in better staff recommendations to the Commission on the energy markets.

9. ANY OTHER FACTORS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

There is no other publisher providing some of RBN’s insights and depth.

10. A LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION.

None

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SERVICES REQUIRED:

None

12. CERTIFICATIONS & APPROVALS: (Signatures are required)

Technical & Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance that are included in this document are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sean Collins Date Director Division of Analytics and Surveillance Office of Enforcement Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Acquisition Services Division Office of the Executive Director Federal Energy Regulatory Commission