J_A_zooplankton_Redacted_2.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological

Survey, California Water Science Center (CAWSC).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

The USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) requires a new non-competitive, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to ICF Jones & Stokes, Inc. (“ICF”) to process biological samples (plankton) collected during ecological studies conducted in California which provide critical information needed by State and Federal resource managers.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

As part of its mission as an independent science bureau, USGS CAWSC conducts field research in California to support State and Federal resource management. This work includes the collection of zooplankton samples, many of which contain high organism densities and a broad range of organism sizes, requiring efficient and statistically defensible methods to ensure timely data delivery. Required services include laboratory processing, taxonomic identification, and enumeration of these samples using aliquot-based and divider tray subsampling methodologies that are appropriate for the size classes sampled and consistent with established Sacramento–San

Joaquin Delta monitoring protocols.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

The IDIQ maximum is not to exceed

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

ICF possesses the required expertise and specialized laboratory capacity to process high-density zooplankton samples using aliquot and divider tray subsampling methods that are fully compatible with USGS CAWSC data quality standards. In addition, ICF currently supports multiple long-term monitoring programs in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta using identical methodologies, ensuring methodological consistency, data comparability, and continuity across programs. Other contractors employ sedimentation-based methods optimized for low-density, small-plankton samples that do not meet these technical, data compatibility, or turnaround time requirements.

7. Other Information. N/A

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR 44034415

Sources Sought 140G0326Q0008 was posted on SAM.gov for ten days. Two vendors submitted responses. However, the USGS scientists have reviewed their capability statements and determined that the vendors do not meet the requirements due to prior performance issues, including failure to adhere to the established scope of work. The methodologies they used are inconsistent with those currently in use by USGS and other agencies and programs within the

Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. Therefore, the Government has concluded that ICF is the only source that can meet all technical, methodological, schedule, and data continuity requirements of this effort.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.

Future requirements will be competed to the maximum extent practical and will undergo market research to seek competition.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Date

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. Price will be determined fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in the best interests of the government.

Yangzhi Deng, Contracting Officer Date

12. Approvals

Bureau Competition Advocate Date