TPAX_JandAFBO.docx

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Only One Source (10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1))

HSCG23-14-Q-PCI110

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

HSCG23-14-Q-PCI110

Pursuant to the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.3 and in accordance with the requirements of FAR 6.303-1, the justification for the use of the statutory authority under FAR Subpart 6.3 is justified by the following facts and rationale required under FAR 6.303-2 as follows:

1. Agency and Contracting Activity. United States Coast Guard (USCG), Office of Contract Operations (CG-912), Formal Contracts Division III (CG-9123) proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. On September 22, 2004, USCG procured a license to use the Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Web Travel Preparation and Examination System (TPAX) and the Integrated Automated Travel System (IATS) to prepare and pay travel claims in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR). (Contract HSCG23-04-C-PPG048) The software is the only known software that can process travel claims and permanent change of station claims for both military and civilian personnel within one integrated system. USCG anticipates the sole source award of a firm, fixed-price contract in the estimated amount of $XXXX obligating OE funds annually appropriated to procure contractor-provided maintenance and support services for TPAX and IATS. USCG’s licensing agreement remains in effect throughout the duration of this contract.

The proposed Contractor for this award is:

Professional Software Consortium 5040 Down Point Lane Windermere, FL 34786

Professional Software Consortium owns the TPAX and IATS software and its code and is the only source authorized to perform maintenance and installation of the software. There are no authorized distributors; therefore, PSC is the only responsible source.

3. Description of supplies/services. The Contractor shall provide maintenance and support of the COTS TPAX/IATS software. The required support will include: providing updates to travel rates as prescribed in the FTR and JFTR and necessary efforts to keep IATS in compliance with the FTR and JFTR; and providing replacement copies of defective code and/or non-functional elements.

4. Identification of statutory authority permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1) implemented by FAR 6.302-1 entitled “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

5. Demonstration that the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

This software is proprietary in nature and the Coast Guard would not be able to use or maintain this software by issuing a contract or order to any other vendor. Although other travel software solutions are available, TPAX and IATS are the only known solutions to meet the needs of the USCG without the use of multiple systems through multiple vendors. This would not only increase the direct cost to the government, but administrative costs to all USCG travelers due to inefficiencies associated with using two or more incompatible travel pay systems.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. A notice of intent to sole source was posted to the Government-wide Point of Entry, FedBizOpps, on May 22, 2014 for a period of 15 days. No responses to the posting were received.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The contracting officer determined that the anticipated prices will be fair and reasonable based on prior acquisition history and anticipates receiving other than certified cost and pricing information from the Contractor to further make this determination.

8. Description of market research.

Market Research was conducted by reviewing commercially available, web-based travel software that could meet the requirement. This research included an in depth analysis of USCG’s potential use of the E-Gov Travel Service (ETS2) contracts awarded by the General Services Administration. Use of any other software would not fully meet the needs of the USCG. For example, due to functional limitations, USCG would need to maintain use of TPAX to support JFTR transactions in addition to any other commercially available software.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None.

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 supplies or services required.

USCG continues to review available products to meet this requirement and awaits further information from the Defense Travel Management Office regarding future travel management systems that can support FTR and JFTR transactions.

12. Contracting Officer’s Certification. I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XXXX Date Contracting Officer

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

XXXX Date Technical Representative

14. Legal Counsel Review and Chief of Contracting Office Concurrence. I have reviewed this justification and take no exceptions.

XXXX Date Procurement Attorney, CG-0949

XXXX Date Chief of Contracting Office, CG-912

15. APPROVAL:

XXXX Date HQ Procuring Activity Competition Advocate