JA Coordinating Research Council (CRC)_Redacted.pdf

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ENERGY

8725 JOHN J. KINGMAN ROAD

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA 22060-6222

December 7, 2020 J&A Tracking Number: 21-0009

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Summary/Introduction:

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy, a component of DLA, is the contracting activity.

The action being approved is for a continuing membership with the Coordinating Research Council (CRC). The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). This is an annual membership with one base year and 3 one-year option periods (total 4 years) from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024 for DLA Energy, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The total estimated value for annual membership is $30,000 with the option to extend to 4 years for the amount of $120,000.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (FAR 6.303-2(b)(2)):

DLA Energy, the U.S Air Force, and the U.S. Navy have been members of CRC since 2006.

CRC is a non-profit organization that provides the means for automotive, energy, environmental, and other related industries to work together. The formal objective of CRC is to encourage and promote science by directing scientific cooperative research to develop the best possible combinations of fuels, lubricants, and the equipment in which they are used.

3. Description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s need (including estimated value) (FAR 6.303-2(b) (3)):

CRC facilitates Government interactions of national and international interest with industry types, within the scientific research field. Membership in CRC aids in DLA Energy-Q’s mission to fund projects to improve the logistical chain for our customers. Many of the projects are geared towards solving technical logistical issues within the distribution system; development of new standards to meet our customer’s requirements; and/or increasing the supplier base to increase competition and decrease cost. It allows DLA Energy to share costs, leverage the resources/information of academia, industry and other DoD entities on technical projects and studies.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(4)):

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2). The membership is exclusive to CRC, thus CRC is the only source able to provide the information and benefits DLA Energy requires. Therefore, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), CRC is the only responsible source that will satisfy agency requirements.

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (Cont’d)

(SP0604-21-Q-0401 – CRC)

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited (FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)):

CRC is uniquely qualified as it is the only source for the required guidelines for aviation fuel quality control and operating procedures. The membership and access to the guidelines via membership are proprietary to CRC, and no other source can provide these requirements for DLA Energy.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are/were solicited from as many potential sources as is/was 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 (FAR 6.303- 2(b)(6)):

DLA Energy-FEA posted an intent to sole source notice on Beta.SAM.Gov (SP0604-21-Q-0401) on November 2, 2020 and closed on November 17, 2020; however, no vendors responded to the notice resulting in no additional competition to meet this requirement.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)):

The Contracting Officer determines the price offered by CRC to be fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b) (2)(ii), “Comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid, whether by the Government, for the same or similar items...”. The price for the same contract for membership in 2020 was $30,000, which was previously determined to be fair and reasonable, and the price for membership has remained the same since 2006. The annual 2021 membership dues of $30,000 is the same as the 2020 price and historical pricing. Therefore, the current proposed price is fair and reasonable in comparison to previous prices for the same item.

8. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)):

Due to the proprietary nature of the membership and required guidelines, CRC is the only source available for the required membership. Therefore, DLA Energy has no expectation that market research or other efforts will result in future competition.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9):

DLA Energy-FEA posted an intent-to-sole source notice on Beta.SAM.Gov (SP0604-21-Q- 0401); no vendors responded to the notice resulting in no additional competition to meet this requirement. Therefore, CRC is the only source available to meet DLA Energy’s needs at this time.

(SP0604-21-Q-0401 – CRC)

(i) Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available.

Not applicable.

(ii) When 6.302-1 is cited for follow-on acquisitions as described in 6.302-1(a) (2) (ii), an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived.

Not applicable.

(iii) When 6.302-2 is cited, data, estimated cost, or other rationale as to the extent and nature of the harm to the Government.

Not applicable.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition (FAR 6.303-2(b) (10):

No sources replied to the Intent-to-Sole Source Notice posted to.

11. Actions that may be taken to remove or overcome barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services are required (FAR 6.303-2(b) (11)):

There are no known actions that will allow DLA Energy to overcome the competition barriers for this requirement.

(SP0604-21-Q-0401 – CRC)

I hereby certify that the data, which forms the basis for this justification, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I hereby certify that the data, which forms the basis for this justification, is accurate and complete and that the purchase request covers only the minimum requirements to satisfy the needs of the Government.

Approved:

CYNTHIA H. LOPEZ

Contracting Officer

LOPEZ.CYNTH

IA.1541346224

Digitally signed by

LOPEZ.CYNTHIA.1541346224

Date: 2020.12.07 10:28:47 -05'00'