HTC71121FD030 JA redact black box.pdf

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

THIS ACQUSITION IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE

MULTIPLE AWARD SCHEDULE PROGRAM

Information Technology (IT) Research and Advisory Services Subscription

HTC711-21-Q-D009

Control Number: 21-08

1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY.

United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) IT Programs and Support Services Division 508 Scott Drive, Build 1900W, Scott AFB, IL 62225-5327

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

This justification and approval relates to the limited source procurement of Licenses for accessing the research and advice of Gartner, Inc. for USTRANSCOM TCJ6 and TCJ8.

USTRANSCOM TCJ6 and TCJ8 require other than full and open competition for the acquisition of IT Research and Advisory Services Subscriptions in support of the current mission as well as future IT initiatives. This acquisition supports USTRANSCOM’s Cloud, Big Data, IT Portfolio Optimization and other related initiatives by providing access to resources specializing in emerging technology and cyber-environment education for supporting the innovative decision making of USTRANSCOM personnel in an ever-changing cyber and IT environment.

The proposed action will award a Sole-Source Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) task order to Gartner using the competitively awarded Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative (DoD ESI) agreement N66001-19-A-0049 and its underlying General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 47QTCA-18D-008L.

Anticipated period of performance: 01 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS.

This is a renewal of a requirement initiated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The initial contract period of performance was 1 Jan 2020 – 31 Dec 2020. Through the life of this contract, the Contractor is required to provide USTRANSCOM personnel with guidance and access to the most current/accurate information in the following areas:

- Individual or Group access to library of technical research documents that help USTRANSCOM navigate ongoing IT projects including: Agile development, GitOps, DevSecOps, Enterprise Data Analysis Environment, Cloud Migration, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Optimization, IT Portfolio Optimization, Cyber Security, Risk Management Framework, Business Intelligence, License Management, Transportation Management System and Supply Chain Management.

- Tiered access to technical subject matter experts who act as advisors during project planning and implementation which will require the vendor to have a security clearance.

- Individual or group access to a library of technical research documents that help TCJ8 navigate cost and budget projects.

- Innovative cost tools that quickly compare commercial products (including cloud hosting options)

- Vendor experience working with Department of Defense (DoD) ensuring their advice is relevant given DoD policies and regulations.

- Access to training events/conferences that provide instruction and guidance from industry professionals and peers.

The estimated value of the acquisition is . A certified Form 9, in the amount of , was received on 3 December 2020.

4. AUTHORITY AND SUPPORTING RATIONALE AND DEMONSTRATION OF

THE PROPOSED CONTRACTORS UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS TO PROVIDE

THE REQUIRED SUPPLY OR SERVICE.

This is a limited sources justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – Only one source is capable of providing the IT Research and Advisory Services Subscription requirement.

The IT research and advisory services provided through this subscription must be relevant to the requirements of USTRANSCOM’s Cloud, Big Data, IT Portfolio Optimization and other initiatives. The resources provide information concering emerging technology and cyber-environment education, strategic planning, cost reduction, and innovative solutions that deal with classified materials. Accordingly, the contractor must have facilities and team members cleared to SECRET level and the contractor must possess an active DD254. While the required subscription services are available from other sources on DoD ESI, Gartner, Inc. is the only source capable of providing the subscription with the required SECRET security clearance.

5. DETERMINATION BY THE ORDERING ACTIVITY CONTRACTING OFFICE

THAT ORDER PRESENTS THE BEST VALUE CONSISTENT WITH FAR

8.404(d).

Supplies offered on the schedule are listed at fixed prices, which GSA has determined to be fair and reasonable for the purpose of establishing the schedule contract. GSA’s determination does not relieve the ordering activity contracting officer from the responsibility of making a determination of fair and reasonable pricing for individual orders.

In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), the Contracting Officer will determine the order represents the best value using the proposal analysis techniques at 15.404-1 to establish a fair and reasonable price, such as comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid and published price lists. The Contracting Officer will request additional discounts from the established GSA prices.

6. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMONG

SCHEDULE HOLDERS AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE

REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED.

In accordance with DFARS 208.7402, departments and agencies shall fulfill requirements for commercial software and related services, such as software maintenance, in accordance with the DOD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). ESI promotes the use of enterprise software agreements (ESAs) with contractors allow DoD to obtain favorable terms and pricing for commercial software and related services. ESI does not dictate the products or services to be acquired.

A search of DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) website identified three resellers for IT Research and Advisory subscription services:

Gartner, Inc. ; ESI BOA No: N66001-19-A-0049, GSA#: 47QTCA18D008L, CAGE Code 0EFU3, Address: 50 Top Gallant Rd-PO Box 10212, Stamford, CT 06902

A security facility check was conducted on the three potential resellers and Gartner was the only potential source having the required SECRET Facility Clearance. Additionally, a search of the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO.gov) website indicates that historically, prior acquisitions for the same or similar subscriptions, have been procured by the United States Navy, Army, and Air Force utilizing ESI as a sole source to Gartner under FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B).

7. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION.

IAW DFARS 208.7402 (1) Departments and agencies shall fulfill requirements for commercial software and related services, such as software maintenance, in accordance with the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). Using the ESI website, a search was done for resellers that provide Advisory Subscription Services. From that list, the following contractors were found: and Gartner, Inc. However, Gartner, Inc. is the only source capable of delivering a wide range of research and IT specific consulting and advising services that would be beneficial to the unique requirements at USTRANSCOM. Gartner provides a wide range of conferences on a much larger scale of information for all levels of employees and managers. Gartner also has a global team of 2,000 plus researchers and advisors that is not available from

. While fulfilling this requirement some advisors will have access to technical subject matter as the act as critical advisors. This aspect of the requirement requires a SECRET Level Security Clearance. Gartner is the only vendor with an active SECRET Facility Clearance.

8. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO

REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS THAT LED TO THE

RESTRICTED CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT

ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES IS MADE.

This requirement is under the mandatory DoD ESI website IAW DFARS 208.7402;

therefore, no actions can be taken to remove this restriction. However, while there is only one capable offeror at this time, it is possible for the other two vendors on ESI to apply for and gain security clearance. To the extent possible, future requirements will be competed amongst the DoD ESI BPA holders.

9. THE ORDERING ACTIVITY CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

THAT THE JUSTIFICATION IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST

OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER’S KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

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

DEBORAH K. COOMBES

Contracting Officer

10. TECHNICAL OR REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION

I certify that the supporting data, which form the basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

SCOTT C. BORCHERS

Chief, DevOps & Pipeline Division