IHS Global SSJ Post.docx

Single Source Justification U.S. Department of Energy Office of Headquarters Procurement Services for the Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure Purchase Order Number: 89303023PMA000294

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The requiring activity is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure (S3). S3 plans to contract with IHS Global Inc., located at 15 Inverness East Way, Englewood, CO, 80112, by means of a Single Source Justification (SSJ). The appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services with a size standard of $24.5 million. The DOE, Office of Headquarters Procurement Services (MA-64), is the procuring activity for this requirement.

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

This document sets forth the justification for other than full and open competition and the use of a single source procurement using the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

This new requirement will provide executive personnel access and peer hosting/networking support, for S3 and DOE’s senior leadership while attending the 2023 Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) week annual energy conference. The projected period of performance is from March 6th, 2023 through March 10th, 2023, and the performance location is Houston, TX.

The total Government estimate for the requirement is $105,500.00. Funding for the resulting award will be provided by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) and the Loan Programs Office (LPO). The resulting Purchase Order will be issued on a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) basis.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value.)

As S3 establishes its organization, their senior executives require access to thought leaders, industry leaders, leading technologists and other key stakeholders in the clean energy field. Moreover, they also need to be able to network among leading stakeholders and demonstrate their visibility as a new government organization in a dynamic and rapidly changing industry. Consequently, S3 requires both access to a specific forum that allows for this type of networking, strategic partnering, and content control whereby they can illustrate their offices and DOE’s capabilities.

The total estimated value of this Purchase Order (inclusive of all services listed below) is as follows:

PO #: 89303023PMA000294

IHS Global Inc. SSJ

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IHS Global INC IGCE

Base Period

Although S3 is currently estimating $105,500 for this action, the total price may fluctuate upward or downward based on the number of DOE conference attendees, executive conference speakers, general participants, required media and communications, etc. Although prices may be subject to changing, the total estimated price will not exceed $250,000.

4. Statutory Authority for Other than Full & Open Competition.

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR13.106-1(b)(1) and 41 U.S.C. 1901.

As implemented by FAR13.106-1(b)(1) “[f]or purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold….[c]ontracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.”

5. Unique Qualifications of the Proposed Contractor.

The unique combination of networking opportunities and program support provided by IHS Global Inc. are not available from any other potential vendors. IHS Global Inc. is hosting CERAWeek 2023. CERAWeek is an annual conference forum that facilitates the exchange of ideas and insights on energy innovation, emerging technologies, and solutions for technologists, investors, thought leaders, government officials and corporate innovators. This platform provides S3 with the capability to streamline their communication to industry leaders by directly connecting with world leading stakeholders in the industry. This dynamic makes attendance particularly relevant toward achieving S3’s core mission.

CERAWeek is also a medium to facilitate meaningful dialogue and stimulate new and innovative thinking and learning. The CERAWeek program covers a wide array of transformational technology platforms ranging from digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and connectivity to robotics, blockchain, additive manufacturing and mobility, and including a continued focus on new technologies for decarbonization and net-zero commitments. CERAWeek 2023 will be particularly timely for S3 as leaders address the dual challenge of energy transition and energy security. Overall, this unique forum as developed by HIS Global Inc. creates an opportunity for leaders to deepen relationships with key stakeholders, while also sharing ideas and thought leadership. These above-mentioned unique features meet the requirements and needs of S3 and are in the best interest of the Government.

6. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer may determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable by using the procedures in FAR subpart 13.106-3(a)(2), including comparison to an independent Government estimate; comparison to current price lists, catalogs, or advertisements; based on market research; and using any other reasonable basis. A statement of price reasonableness will be contained in the order file.

7. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies. Describe whether any additional or similar requirements are anticipated in the future.

In accordance with FAR 5.203(b), a notice of intent to award a Purchase Order to IHS Global Inc. on a single source basis was posted to the governmentwide point of entry (SAM.gov) on February 16th, 2023. In response to its positing, DOE received one capability statement from the Devine Consulting Group . However, the Devine Consulting Group’s capability statement did not address how their managerial and administrative services would satisfy S3’s requirement. In addition, the unique CERAWeek forum is organized by IHS Global Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (IHS Markit). Similar requirements are anticipated in the future, although not-yet defined. For future requirements, DOE will perform market research and determine an acquisition strategy most suitable for satisfying long-term DOE requirements for similar services.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason why market research was not conducted.

In accordance with FAR 10.002, market research was conducted to determine if IHS Global Inc. is best situated to meet the requirements of S3. MA-64 conducted a thorough online search of all internationally attended forums pertaining to the clean energy industry. The market research concluded CERAWeek is a highly specialized forum whose attendance is particularly relevant toward achieving the core mission of S3. No other vendor can provide a forum that engages this diverse range of stakeholders in one setting. Furthermore, no other vendor offers a medium that acts as a singular resource capable of providing a platform for such a varied array of industry figures. Technical officials from different DOE program offices confirmed this finding. Consequently, IHS Global Inc. is the only vendor suited to this acquisition.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of a sole source acquisition.

Due to the need for unique networking services, the Government did not solicit from other sources. Per a February 15th, 2023 conversation between IHS Global Inc. and an MA-64 representative, IHS Global Inc. provided MA-64 with confirmation that there are no other vendors capable of offering a comparable forum. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), the Government intends to publicize this SSJ to SAM.gov for a minimum of 30 days.

10. 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 supplies or services required.

Not applicable. S3 actively follows industry developments, and if other companies are identified as potential sources of these services, the possibility of competition will be evaluated at that time. For this acquisition, IHS Global Inc. was determined to be the only suitable vendor for the services required and therefore this acquisition will not be competed.

CERTIFICATION

The information contained in this Single Source Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.