ID01150094_Tab_4_LSJ_-_FAR_8.405-6.v1_CO-CAM_signaturesMAsigned.pdf

Version 1 12/28/15

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

FOR ORDERS EXCEEDING THE MICRO-PURCHASE THRESHOLD

ID01150094, EMS 2.0

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program, 41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The General Services Administration (GSA) proposes to award an order pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a), Limiting Sources, on behalf of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

GSA intends to limit the number of sources solicited pursuant to FAR Part 8.405- 6(a), for the procurement of Engineering and Management Services (EMS) to:

INNOVIM, LLC, 7474 Greenway Center Dr., Suite 800, Greenbelt, MD 20770

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is to provide Engineering and Management Services. The proposed action will provide Program Management, System Engineering and Technical Support for NOAA in support of GOES-R/ESPDS, CIP, and Jason-3 programs as well as coordinating use of SharePoint and providing other technical support.

The contemplated period of performance is for a total of 21 months, consisting of a 12 month based and a nine month option period. The estimated cost for this requirement is $4,587,743.84 as broken down below:

Period of Performance Dates Dollar Value Base – 12 months February 1, 2016 –

January 31, 2017 $2,752,646.30

Option One – 9 months February 1, 2017 – September 30, 2017

$1,835,097.54

Total – 21 months February 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017

$4,587,743.84

4. Authority and supporting rationale.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program, 41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies, in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a), Limiting Sources. An award will be made in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C), In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 & 3.104 http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ original order or BPA was not issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

It is necessary to limit competition for the Engineering and Management Services (EMS) required. The Data Operations Support Team (DOST) is preparing to transition to a new and complex satellite ground system and making preparatory actions for NOAA’s next generation operational polar satellite. This involves highly unique, complex product generation and distribution systems transferring to NOAA within 12 months. Being at a critical point in the schedule, any disruption in contractual performance will negatively impact operational readiness. Re-training of new contractor replacements generally takes over six months in order to become fully proficient in supporting the operational staff during this critical transition period. Failure to retain the well qualified and fully effective contractor staff on the DOST team would burden the Environmental Satellite Processing Center operations team who would be required to re-train new individuals and would also be forced to support activities that are generally supported by the two DOST staff members. Since the systems that are transitioning to NOAA operations provide critical data to the National Weather Service for the protection of life and property, there are serious negative operational, cost, schedule and resource impacts inherent in a decision to not retain the current contractors serving on the Data Operations Support Team.

The current antenna support contractor employee is absolutely critical to keep onboard for the EMS follow on. With the delays in getting a government RF Engineer on board to assume all of the legacy antenna support activities, the Contractor employee is filling the void, including serving as a stand in for the Project Manager, providing OSGS with quarterly project reports, weekly reports, special information requests, risks, impacts, recommendation, etc. He is currently a single point of failure. When the new government PM comes on board, he would need to interface on a daily basis with the current antenna support Contractor to learn all the intricacies of the many antennas located at FCDAS, WCDAS, WBU, NSOF and CBU, including what is necessary to sustain them over the next decade. That will take at least 6 months and perhaps even a year for the transfer of knowledge. He would then continue to support the PM as the PM's lead RF support engineer. No one else in NESDIS has the depth and breadth of knowledge that the antenna support Contractor has in this area, in both the technical and cost areas.

Replacement by another contractor would introduce a significant amount of risk to continuity of operations as the antennas require continuous sustainment / maintenance, and he has an in depth knowledge of the customer needs at all receptor sites, is extremely solution-oriented, and can quickly recommend cost-effective solutions for both the short- and long-terms.

Regarding the Jason-3 requirement, NOAA is nearing a critical point in the schedule within the next 6 months. In order to avoid any impacts, it is important that

Contractor staff assigned to Jason-3 has extensive knowledge of the current Jason- 3 ground system project, system schedule, and overall project, which are vital to the project's success.

As is possible when the prime contractor changes, loss of the current Contractor staff poses an unacceptable level of risk.

5. Determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the anticipated order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

The contracting officer has determined that issuing the proposed order for Engineering and Management Services (EMS) represents the best value and will result in the lowest overall cost alternative, considering price and administrative costs, to meet the Government’s needs. This order will be placed in accordance with FAR 8.404, “Use of Federal Supply Schedules.” The GSA has already negotiated fair and reasonable pricing rates and discounts to these GSA schedule rates will be requested and evaluated. Additionally, prior to issuance of the delivery order, the ordering activity will validate that pricing received is equal to or lower than the price established under GSA FSS Contract.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

This action is being conducted as a bridge to allow for award of a replacement contract. The Systems Engineering and Technical Services (SETS) contract is currently in presolicitation phase. Market research was conducted under the SETS requirement.

7. Any other facts supporting the limited-sources justification.

This is a short term bridge contract intended to allow continuation of services while a competitive acquisition is being completed.

8. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration (i.e., limited-sources) before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

After September 30, 2017, NOAA plans to move the work performed under the EMS

2.0 contract to the new Systems Engineering and Technical Support (SETS) contract. The SETS contract will be competitively awarded.

9. Advertisement.

GSA intends to post this requirement on FedBizOpps pursuant to FAR 8.405- 6(a)(2)(i).

10. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(x), I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which form a basis for the Limited-Sources Justification, are accurate and complete.

Ken Reynolds Customer Account Manager (CAM)

Date

11. Contracting Officer Certification and/or Approval.

Pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(ix), I certify that the Limited-Sources Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Anthony Pellegrino Contracting Officer, GSA

12. For Requirements Over $650,000.00, Reviewed One Level Above the

Contracting Officer:

Michael Attachi Director, Acquisition Operations Division