JEFO_-_redacted.pdf

OPOAM 3016.505-90(a)(2)(i) Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity

Exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and up to the SAT pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(A)

JEFO No. FY19-0057

JEFO No.: FY19-0057

Date: 12/10/2018 PR Number: RUIO-19-ED011

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and anticipated cost:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations, (OPO Division), prepared this justification for an exception to fair opportunity. The Department has a requirement for a subscription to Leadership Online which includes the following directories:

Leadership Federal Premium, Leadership Congress Premium, Leadership Companies Premium and Leadership State-Muni Premium. DHS and its components require a continuous service for enterprise-wide internet protocol authenticated access to Leadership Online for access to accurate and up-to-date Federal government directory data, Congressional directory data, U.S. corporate directory data and State/Municipal directory data.

DHS will issue a task order to Leadership Directories under the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract LCFDL16C0017. The Leadership Online subscription has an estimated value of $122,400.00 and a period of performance of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

2. Statutory Exception and rationale for its use: (Select one and explain rationale below):

_________FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A). The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

____X_____FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B). Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized. [Explain why supplies or services are unique].

_________FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C). The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order. [For logical follow-on, the rationale shall describe why the relationship between the initial order and the follow-on is logical (e.g., in terms of scope, period of performance, or value)]:

_________FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(D). It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

_________FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(E). For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source.

Rationale:

Leadership Online data provides current, accurate contact information to reach colleagues in federal, state, and local government offices, as well as counterparts in business. It provides the ability to identify and list points of contact within Congress, Federal agencies, State and Municipal governments, and U.S. Corporations. Users can search by name, legislative issue, Congressional District Maps, Agency program, Organizational Chart, senior level and subject.

No other directory service provides the unique ability to identify up-to-date personnel in such a wide variety of methods and create contact lists. This is a recurring requirement for DHS OCIO which has been subscribing to this service since 2007 under the FEDLINK contract. The subscription is for enterprise access across DHS and all its Components. The collection of directory services is a unique resource and no other vendors have been identified to provide the same service.

Through market research, which included a review of acquisition history, Commercial and Government databases, industry publications, attending industry meetings, talking to vendors, other knowledgeable workers and other government users, it was determined that there are no other directories with the level of accuracy and detail provided by Leadership Directories.

Market research determined that the Library of Congress IDIQ with Leadership Online is still available for use by Federal agencies. This IDIQ is still the most efficient way of ordering and available at a reasonable price. The unique aspect includes the accuracy, authority, and speed of update. In addition, Leadership Online provides the user with the ability to build contact lists from the directory data, and drill into the directory data to track and analyze changes. The collection of current and incoming federal, congressional, state/local, and business personnel information is only available through Leadership Directories LLC. Due to the proprietary nature of this service, no other vendors on FEDLINK provide this subscription. Even if this were to be awarded as open market, this would still be a sole source contract. At this time, there is no action to increase competition until a possible substitute subscription is available to the Government.

FEDLINK pricing is the lowest negotiated price across the federal library marketplace.

Leadership Directories provides a service at an equal or greater value than any others in the market. The contract and option year pricing was established as fair and reasonable by the Library of Congress contracting office when the IDIQ was awarded. RLIS requests feedback from the users to determine that the services are still meeting mission requirements.

David Lockard, Contracting Officer’s Representative Date Information Sharing and Services Office (IS2O)

Cheryl Bernhard, Contracting Officer Date Information Technology Acquisition Center Office of Procurement Operations