JOFOC - DOT-693JK422P600033_publish.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary

Office of Public Affairs & Public Engagement

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Contracting Officer, hereby approve the issuance of the contractual action described below using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority cited herein.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY AGENCY REQUIRING ACTIVITY

Office of the Secretary (OST) Office of Public Engagement 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary (OST) Acquisitions Services Division 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation, the Office of Public Engagement have a need for a specialized philanthropic organizational support.

This action would provide the 68 Degrees service for 6 months (March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023) in the amount of $ . 68 Degrees will provide time, expertise, and input on initiatives to advance the goals of the Department of Transportation as requested by the Director of Public Engagement and members of the DOT leadership team. The consultant services will connect philanthropic organizations and their grantee partners to support implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other programs that advance DOT's safety, equity, and climate goals.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS

The Office of Public Engagement requires the 68 Degrees consultant services, including the use of all existing services:

• Building new connections to key transportation, climate, and equity philanthropy and non-profit organizations to expand the impact of DOT programs

• Shaping strategy for advancing federal transportation initiatives - including and in particular to identify and align commitments from philanthropic organizations to support technical assistance

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER

THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The statutory authority for the proposed contract with Training Connection is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(l), as implemented by FAR 6.302-l(a), which states that an executive agency may use procedures other than competitive procedures only --- (2) "When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source... and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for."

5. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OFTHE

AUTHORITY CITED

The work that will be covered under this contract is to obtain services to allow the Office of Public Engagement to utilize consulting services provided by 68 Degrees.

Switching to another vendor at this point in the program would require substantial duplication of time and resources already devoted to customizing a new service, which would be unlikely to be an offset and recovered through competition. 68 Degrees is only vendor that can meet the Office of Public Engagement's current needs.

6. EFFORTS MADE TO OBTAIN COMPETITION, AND WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR

WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH

EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES

If further work is required following the completion of the program, the Government will compete a SOW in which additional offerors will be entertained.

7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED

COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE:

The Contracting Officer and COR reviewed the proposed rates and determined that they are consistent with the work to be performed. Moreover, each invoice submitted by the·contractor during performance of this contract will be scrutinized for allowability, allocability and reasonableness ofbilled cost in accordance with FAR Part 31. These procedures will ensure that the anticipated cost to the Government is fair and reasonable.

8. A DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS OR A

STATEMENT OF THE REASON THAT MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED:

Market research showed there were few companies that offered a full implementation service. Switching to another vendor will require all new materials, rebranding, and marketing.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION:

None

10. A LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN

THE ACQUISITION

NIA

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE

OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT

ACQUISITION FOR THESE SERVICES: