WRDS_-_Sole_Source_Justification.pdf

Form # USPTO-OP-026.v1.0 (12/2015) Page 1 of 4

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION (SSJ)

(FAR 13.501)

Program Office: Office of Policy and

International Affairs Program Office

POC:

Julie Ables Chapin

Title of Procurement:

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) Subscription

Contracting Officer:

Corey V. Forshee

Contracting Activity:

USPTO Office of Procurement

Contracting Officer Phone:

(571) 272-6721 PR Number: 147P1601545

1. Description of the Action

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Policy and International Affairs, Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), has a requirement for economic research. The OCE requires access to business, financial, economic, and marketing data through a self-managed service with centralized access, a high volume of cross-disciplinary data, flexibility of delivery including computing cloud access, and orientation toward academic research. In an effort to obtain access to this information, OCE is seeking to procure a subscription to the Wharton Research Data Services

(WRDS).

2. Description of the Supplies/Services

WRDS is the award-winning research platform and business intelligence tool for over 40,000 corporate, academic, government and nonprofit users at 400+ institutions in 30+ countries. WRDS provides the user with one location to access over 200 terabytes of data across multiple disciplines including Accounting, Banking, Economics, Environmental Social and Governance (ESG), Finance, Health Care, Insurance, Marketing, and Statistics. Developed in 1993 to support faculty research at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, WRDS has since evolved to becoming the standard tool for a global research community.

The anticipated base period of each subscription is 30 September 2016 through 29 September 2017.

Additionally, four (4) subsequent 12-month subscriptions will be acquired; spanning from 30 September 2017 through 29 September 2021.

3. Statutory Authority

This action is being executed under the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5, used in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

4. Unique Vendor Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition

WRDS provides a single-point access to over 200 terabytes of data across multiple disciplines including Accounting, Banking, Economics, ESG, Finance, Health Care, Insurance, Marketing, and Statistics.

WRDS offers flexible data delivery options, from Web interface and Personal Computer- Statistical Analysis System (PC-SAS) for Connect to the powerful WRDS Cloud. No other data management system offers so many options. WRDS state-of-the-art infrastructure gives users the power to analyze complex information at speeds of up to 400MB per second.

Form # USPTO-OP-026.v1.0 (12/2015) Page 2 of 4

5. Efforts to solicit as many potential sources as possible

A Sources Sought Notice was posted, from 26 August 2016 to 5 September 2016, on FedBizOpps.Gov; see attached documents for details. The objective of this notice was to unearth businesses capable of providing a WRDS or equivalent database subscription. Despite being posted for eleven days, not a single vendor responded to the Sources Sought Notice.

Additionally, a comprehensive search of the internet failed to discern any product comparable to that of WRDS.

Furthermore, Jamie Stewart (Director, WRDS) asserted in writing that Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is the sole source to purchase the WRDS platform; see attached document for details.

6. Determination by the Contracting Officer that anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable

The anticipated cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable as evidenced by the signature of the Contracting Officer. Detailed documentation and justification of price reasonableness will be disclosed in the Acquisition Form Documentation (AFD) to be prepared upon completion of negotiations.

7. Market Research

A comprehensive search of the internet failed to discern products comparable to that of WRDS.

Additionally, The University of Pennsylvania is the sole supplier of WRDS.

8. Other Facts Supporting the Justification

OCE currently has a WRDS subscription. Employees are trained and proficient in the functionality of this database. Additionally, countless reports and documents were developed utilizing data derived from WRDS. The acquisition of another product would require further training and reproduction of reports/documents.

9. Listing of sources that expressed interest in writing

The University of Pennsylvania

10. Actions to remove or overcome barriers to competition

Prior to exercising option periods, market research will be accomplished to discern if comparable and compatible products have been made available.

11. Contracting Officer’s certification

The contracting officer’s signature on the signature page evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

12. Program Office certification of completeness and accuracy

As evidenced by their signatures on the signature page, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein which is their responsibility are both accurate and complete.

Form # USPTO-OP-026.v1.0 (12/2015) Page 3 of 4

13. Approving Official determination

The approving official’s signature on the signature page evidences review and approval as required by 13.501(a)(2).

Form # USPTO-OP-026.v1.0 (12/2015) Page 4 of 4

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION (SSJ)

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL PAGE

(<$700,000)

Contracting Activity: USPTO Office of Procurement

Purchase Request Number:

147P1601545

Program Name:

WRDS Subscription

Estimated Price of the Order (w/options):

$244,375.00

Authority:

FAR 13.501

Type Determination:

Individual

Concurrence:

Program Office Representative: ____________________________ 09/12/2016

Julie Ables Chapin Date Signed Contracting Officer Representative

Approval:

Contracting Officer: ____________________________ ______________ Corey V. Forshee Date Signed

Contracting Officer

Attachments:

1. Sources Sought Posting

2. Sources Sought Posting Confirmation

3. Letter from Jamie Stewart (Director, WRDS)