JOFOC_AIA Memberhsip__Redacted07122023.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

41 U.S.C. 3304

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b) (1), I hereby determine that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) listed on EQPCB-23-0007 is required through a sole source procurement and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below.

Please select the appropriate statutory authorities in accordance with FAR Part 6.302, Circumstance Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition:

X FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements;

� FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and Compelling Urgency;

� FAR6.302-3 Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Development, or Research

Capability; or Expert Services;

� FAR 6.302-4 International Agreement;

� FAR 6.302-5 Authorized or Required by Statute;

� FAR 6.302-6 National Security; or � FAR 6.302-7 Public Interest.

1. Identification of the Agency and the Contracting Activity

This requirement is in support of the General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Services (PBS), Office of Architecture and Engineering, 1800 F Street, NW Washington, D.C.

20005.

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

Approval is being sought to award a sole source contract to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA Community connects over 96,000 architects and design professionals in the U.S.

and around the globe. The organizational membership will provide leadership opportunities on committees and working groups, building career skills and networking with leaders in the architecture profession, AIA, and universities all while improving GSA’s knowledge and skill sets.

The AIA provides tool and resources with reliable, up-to-date, and consistent information on architectural best practices, research, business practices, and more. The organizational membership allows for

GSA attendance at member rates for the AIA Conference on Architecture, the country's largest and most influential gathering of architecture professionals. Additionally, the organizational membership provides professional development through various channels and on multiple topics to meet GSA’s staff specific continuing education needs. GSA staff can learn about AIA efforts in areas such as building communities, the economy, sustainability, and equity. GSA personnel will have access to career resources that help gain new design insights and knowledge.

The GSA PBS Office of Architecture and Engineering proposes to enter into a sole source contract with the AIA. Through this organizational membership, GSA employees will be part of the leading organization advancing the field of architecture. The cost of the required services is for FY23, for FY24, and for FY25.

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

(1) GSA will provide substantial influence on AIA’s priorities and positions. GSA is responsible for following several Executive Orders and providing national leadership to design and deliver Federal facilities meeting our Design Excellence standards and elevating the Guiding Principles of Federal Architecture. Access to AIA leaders allows GSA the opportunity to identify and elevate emerging issues and promote the use of GSA’s technical guidance and educational materials.

(2) Access to the multidisciplinary network of leaders which includes academic institutions, government agencies, practicing design professionals and construction experts from around the world is only granted to AIA members.

(3) Planning, organizing, and convening of one or more conferences on Architecture on topics such as community engagement, sustainability, and pathways to architecture.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c) and/or 10 U.S.C. 2304(c), GSA has determined that the procurement requires a sole source in order to satisfy the Agency’s need. Specifically, the basis for other than full and open competition is that GSA has only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements in accordance with FAR 6.302-1.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited The AIA was founded in 1857 by 13 Architects now there are more than 96,000 members.

Headquartered in Washington DC with over 200 chapters around the world. The AIA actively monitors legislative and regulatory actions and engages its membership to participate in decision-making processes at the federal, state, and local levels. Through its community-based programs, the AIA collaborates with federal legislators and local governments to enhance the design of public spaces, safeguard the nation's infrastructure, and promote the development of well-designed affordable housing accessible to all Americans. AIA continues its work as the voice of architects on Capitol Hill.

6. 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

This solicitation relies on the unique abilities of AIA to set industry standards for computer-aided design — or CAD — documents. Most building projects require drawings that meet AIA standards. AIA layering standards assign specific layer names, content descriptions, colors, line types, and line weights, which make it easier to read and reference architectural drawings.

A notice will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable The following IGCE $37,500 represents a fair and reasonable value to the government based on market research, historical procurement data, and/or specific industry knowledge by the technical representative. The IGCE for this contract is estimated to be for FY23 the base year, for FY24 option year one, and for FY25 option year two.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted

No market survey was conducted.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition The unique and foundational AIA value provided to GSA is the networking and connectivity that helps GSA work together with other members to develop solutions, solve problems, and share effective practices.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition N/A

11. A statement of actions, if any, that agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent for the supplies or services required GSA will continue to conduct market analysis and/or seek competition, when available.

***NOTE: If sole sourced procurements need to be recompeted in the future, Federal regulations prevent the Contracting Office from reprocuring these requirements through means of a sole source during the recompete.***

Program/Technical Official Certification:

I hereby certify and accept the responsibility that any and all supporting data provided above or used to justify the above requested for a sole source procurement (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements, and/or other rationale for other than full and open competition) is accurate and complete to the best of my personal knowledge and belief.

Date

Membership Contract COR Office of Design and Construction

Contracting Officer’s Certification

I hereby certify that the information contained in this Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Date

Contracting Officer