JOFOC - MITRE RM signed.pdf

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) U.S. Census Bureau Research and Methodology Capability Modernization

Services with MITRE Corporation

In accordance with FAR 6.3 and CAM 1306.70 the following justification contains the facts and rationale to justify the contractual action described below using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority cited herein.

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Commerce U.S. Census Bureau Acquisition Division

2. Nature of Action Being Approved: This justification and approval sets forth the facts and requests approval for the award of a sole source task order with MITRE, Inc. to provide the Research and Methodology Directorate support in defining and implementing the modernization and transformation services required for achieving the Research and Methodology Directorate’s vision, goals, and objectives. The Research and Methodology Directorate collaborates with teams across the U.S.

Census Bureau, as well as researchers throughout the country to develop innovative scientific solutions and advances that help assure it is a leader in economic and social measurement. Specifically, support and assistance is required in specific functional areas including strategic management, program and project management, technical management, evaluation and audit, research and development and decision support.

The Government intends to award a task order to a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), MITRE Corporation, utilizing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Government-Wide Agency Contract (GWAC) Number: TIRNO-99- D- 00005. The CEM/MITRE FFRDC meets a special research and development need that cannot be met as effectively by existing in-house or contractor resources. MITRE has access to government programs beyond what is available from normal contractual relationship between the Government and its suppliers, including sensitive and proprietary data. FFRDCs are required to conduct its business in a manner befitting its unique relationship with its Government clients. MITRE is required to operate in the public interest with objectivity and independence, to be free from organizational conflicts of interest, and to have full disclosure of its affairs to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the sponsoring agency and the Census Bureau.

The Research and Methodology Program Managers have determined their requirement can be fulfilled by MITRE, and it is within the scope of its IRS GWAC.

MITRE has intimate knowledge of the major federal data gathering organizations and modernizing their information systems and associated business processes.

3. Description of Services and Supplies: The scope and requirements of this task order are to assist the Research and Methodology Directorate in defining and implementing its modernization and transformation of strategic initiatives required for achieving the strategic vision, goals, and objectives by providing technical expertise, guidance and recommendations specific to innovative scientific solutions. Specifically, the Research and Methodology Directorate requires contractor support to assist with the following:

• Strategic Management includes strategy development and planning, integrated directorate planning and architecture, disciplined capital planning and investment management, resource management, and transition and change management.

• Procurement (Support and Evaluation) includes practical strategic acquisition development and support, assistance with requirements development, and design and review of solicitations and source selection.

• Program and Project Management includes facilitation of effective governance, program management, cross–project integration, performance monitoring, financial management and cost control, and project management.

• Technical Management includes technical and systems engineering guidance, ad hoc technical expert advice, technology assessment (research and proof–of–concepts), as well as advice on logistical support, operations, and customer functions.

• Evaluation and Audit includes assessment of contractor and agency performance and technical documents, independent verification and validation, risk management, conformance to requirements, systems analyses, business process analysis, and cost analysis.

• Research and Development includes conducting independent research and development (IR&D), technology adoption, cross agency integration, analysis and techniques, and research transfer.

• Decision Support includes conducting independent analysis in the development of analysis of alternatives for critical decisions on strategy, plans, acquisitions, and programs as well as delivering independent and objective analysis and advice in support of strategic or operational decisions.

To assist with the achievement of this effort, the Research and Methodology Directorate has an immediate need for independent and objective advice and support in the above subject areas from a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and has identified the MITRE Corporation (MITRE), as the appropriate source for the needed support. The Research and Methodology Program Managers has determined that this effort is within the scope of IRS’ GWAC with MITRE, as its basic scope fully aligned with the creating proven scientific innovations and methodologies including supporting information systems and associated business processes.

Period of Performance: One year from date of award

Estimated Contract Value: $9,990,172.50

Contract Type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)

4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authorities for this justification are in accordance with FAR 35.017-3 and FAR 6.302-3.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The regulation unique to the acquisition of CEM/MITRE FFRDC services is FAR 35.017 – Federally Funded Research and Development Centers. CEM/MITRE FFRDC is the only service provider that will satisfy this requirement based on its extensive experience working with other federal data-driven organizations.

IRS awarded Contract No. TIRNO-99-D-00005, to the MITRE Corporation to support Federal Agencies in a cadre of strategic management and related professional services, ranging from human resources to information technology. The IRS GWAC is available to all Treasury Bureaus, as well as other Government Agencies (upon approval by the IRS Contracting Officer). The Census Bureau has received approval from the IRS Contracting Officer to acquire the following professional support functions from MITRE: 1) Strategic Management, 2) Procurement (Support & Evaluation), 3) Program and Project Management, 4) Technical Management, 5) Evaluation and Audit, 6) Research and Development and 7) Decision Support. Some of the more critical areas of Research and Methodology Directorate include strategic transformation relative to its scientific innovations in data gathering, storage, retrieval and dissemination including cost estimation, activity based management, governance, strategic acquisition, and proven data collection models.

Approval has been received from the IRS Contracting Officer indicating that the work is within the scope of the established contract (TIRNO-99-D-00005), authorizes the issuance of the proposed task order, and authorizes the Census Bureau to directly contract with MITRE Corporation. As a result, the Census Bureau is issuing this JOFOC in accordance with FAR 35.017-3 and 6.302-3.

6. Efforts to Solicit Potential Sources: The Market Research team reviewed all 42 FFRDC, provided by the National Science Foundation. Market research determined that IRS’ GWAC with MITRE provided the appropriate scope that encompasses the strategic, technical and program management advice, guidance, and expert technical and research capability for modernization and governance execution of large data-driven organizations and information systems, as required by the Research and Methodology Directorate. Based on the market research, the Census Bureau has concluded that only MITRE offers the unique government experience with complex data-driven organizations that embrace scientific innovative models necessary to satisfy this requirement.

7. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: Cost analysis and reasonableness will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(c).

8. Market Research: As stated above, the Market Research team reviewed all 42 FFRDCs as they possess extensive experience in working with the federal government in a public-private partnership, in the most strategic areas of governance. As a designated FFRDC, MITRE can leverage their intimate government experience to support the Research and Methodology Program to transform its data gathering, storage, retrieval and dissemination processes based on proven scientific methods. Market research determined that IRS’ GWAC with MITRE provided the appropriate scope that encompasses the strategic, technical and program management advice, guidance, and expert technical and research capability for modernization and general operation of scientific innovations in complex data-capture organizations and its supporting information systems. Based on the market research, Census has concluded that only MITRE offers the unique government experience with large data-capture organizations to satisfy this requirement.

9. Other Supporting Data: None.

10. Other Interested Sources: There are no other sources able to satisfy this requirement.

11. Future Competitive Plans: Currently there are 42 designated FFRDCs across that federal government that offer unique public-private partnerships to conduct research for the United States Government. The services currently required by the Government require the experience that is only gained through the unique public-private relationships. This purchase fully covers all services anticipated to fulfill this strategic requirement. Any additional services, if necessary, will be reviewed to determine if a FFDRC is required to complete the work. If additional FFDRCs are created, the Census Bureau will re-explore its options.

12. Publication of the Award Intent and the Approved JOFOC: Publication of the intent and JOFOC will be provided in Beta.SAM.gov.

13. Recommendations and Certification from Program Office:

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on the basis of other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data that form the basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

LaTaiga B. Proctor Date

COR

APPROVAL PAGE

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

All of the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act (41 U.S.C. 253), as implemented in the Federal and Commerce Acquisition Regulations, have been considered in preparing this justification. As Contracting Officer, I hereby certify that the justification for other than full and open competition for this requirement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Paul Boesch Date Contracting Officer

OU Competition Advocate:

Leslie A. Andrecs Date Operating Unit Competition Advocate U.S. Census Bureau

Department of Commerce Competition Advocate:

Olivia Bradley Date Deputy Director, Office of Acquisition Management U.S. Department of Commerce