Justification and Approval for DLI.pdf

Part 1 – Identification

Contract (or modification) LoC or Leg Branch Order (or modification) GSA Schedule or GWAC: Identify Schedule/Contract Other: Identify

Requisition Number: E20240341 Contractor (or Brand Name): East View Estimated Value (Base and all options): $90,297.75 Period of Performance: 6/20/24 – 6/19/25

Justification & Approval For Other than Full and Open Competition

As a legislative branch agency, the Library is subject to the competition and advertising requirements of 41 U.S.C. § 6101. Like the Competition in Contracting Act and the FAR, 41 U.S.C. § 6101 does not require competition when a contracting officer certifies that only one source or brand-name item is available, when dictated by public exigency, or when otherwise authorized by law.

This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a contract or order by means providing for other than full and open competition per 41 U.S.C. § 6101, LCR 2110, and, as applicable, FAR 6.302, FAR 13.106-1, FAR 8.405, and FAR 16.505. Contracting without competition shall not be justified on the basis of a lack of advance planning or concerns related to availability of funds.

This form shall be used to support instances where competition will be limited to a single source, a limited number of sources, including where a brand name product is required.

1. Contracting Agency and Activity: Library of Congress, OCOO Library Enterprises, FEDLINK

2. Nature of Action Being Approved

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Library Needs

Describe the supplies or services that are required to meet the Library’s minimum needs and the delivery schedule required to meet those needs. Do not focus on a description of the program.

The Library requires the following supplies or services:

This Justification and Approval (J&A) is for East View database access for FEDLINK customer Aiso Library at the Defense Language Institute (TSPQ). The Aiso Library, Defense Language Institute provides culturally based foreign language education, training, evaluation, and degrees for the Department of Defense, globally, to afford a comprehensive understanding of the joint operational environment, a competitive edge to our warfighters, and safeguard the national security of the United States. It is a follow-on to order TSPQEV230471, awarded in FY23 as a FEDLINK purchase order.

4. Authority for Contracting Without Competition Over $250,000 For this requirement over $250,000, under FAR part 6, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

There is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C); FAR 6.302-1.

Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. FAR 6.302-1(b)(1).

Source controls copyrights, patents, raw materials, or secret processes cannot be acquired otherwise, or similar circumstances. FAR 6.302- 1(b)(2).

Other exception identified in FAR 6.302-1: Identify the exception

There is such unusual & compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured if competition is not limited.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B); FAR 6.302-2. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute (e.g., AbilityOne, UNICOR, GPO, GSA Public Buildings Service, Appropriations Act, etc.) per 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 6.302-5: Identify the authority Other basis authorized in 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b) or FAR part 6.302: Identify the exception

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. FAR 6.302-1(c).

The Product is listed on the Library’s Technical Reference Model (TRM) as part of the “As-is” Lifecycle, Page #: (Attach applicable page from TRM)

Up to $250,000 For this requirement up to $250,000, using simplified acquisition procedures under FAR part 13, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

Only one responsible source is reasonably available to meet Library requirements. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b); FAR 13.106-1.

Product or service is reasonably available from only one source.

Source controls copyrights, patents or other exclusive licensing arrangements.

Urgent circumstances; only one source can reasonably deliver by required date. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute: Identify the authority

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed on the Library’s Technical Reference Model as part of the “As-is” Lifecycle, Page #: (Attach applicable page from

TRM)

GSA Schedule Order For this GSA schedule order under FAR part 8, the basis for not competing among GSA schedule-holders and/or specifying a brand name product or item is:

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following GSA procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A).

Only one GSA source is capable of fulfilling the requirement at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B).

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original order that was placed competitively among GSA schedule-holders (i.e., the original order was not sole-source or limited-source.) FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C).

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed on the Library’s Technical Reference Model as part of the “As-is” Lifecycle, Page #: (Attach

Order Under Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery Contract or GWAC For this order under FAR subpart 16.5, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

The need is so urgent fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR

16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).

A logical follow-on order in the interest of economy and efficiency. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(C).

To satisfy a minimum guarantee. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(D).

Authorized or required by statute. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(E).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i).

The Product is listed on the Library’s Technical Reference Model as part of the “As-is” Lifecycle, Page #: (Attach applicable page from the

TRM)

Part 2 – Program Office Justification & Approval

5. Rationale for Contracting Without Competition

In supporting an action not providing for full and open competition, it is not sufficient to demonstrate that the contractor is exceptionally well qualified or even the best qualified, or that the required brand name product is well suited to the Library’s needs. The rationale must demonstrate that no one else, or no other competing product, can satisfactorily fulfill the Library’s requirement. Do not focus on the importance of the requirement; the issue is the rationale for not competing.

In supporting urgency, address the following: What are the unexpected facts or the unpredictable events that led to this situation? When is the required delivery or performance start date? Why this date? What specific harm to the Government will occur if the delivery is not made or performance not begun as scheduled? (Note that expiration of funds is not sufficient harm to justify not competing.) Demonstrate that the contract is only for items and quantities urgently needed until a competitive procurement action can be developed, or that a separate competitive follow-on is not practical.

In supporting a brand name justification, the brand name or feature must be essential to the Library’s requirements, and market research indicates that other company’s similar products or products with similar features cannot meet or be modified to meet the Library’s needs.

We are authorized to limit competition on the basis of the citation in section 4 because:

This order can only be satisfied by one vendor because there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or service satisfy Library requirements.

The services covered under this justification have been procured since 2012 after the member determined that only East View could provide the services they required. Task order 12-EV.TSPQ. 0003 was awarded on 2/6/2012, and has had a requirement for the same services for the following 12 years. The current task order will expire on 6/19/24 and the Defense Language Institute (TSPQ) is in need of follow-on foreign language database support in order to support their mission.

Competition for the order is required unless a sole source award is justified under the FAR 13.501(a)(1). TSPQ has a critical need for access to the East View foreign language database to ensure services are not interrupted.

Awarding the new task order to East View will allow FEDLINK to meet TSPQ’s requirements. Only East View has substantial network of publisher and partner relationships in Eastern Europe and Asia, enabling access to exotic foreign language resources. East View also provides access to staff specialists fluent in languages of the content and expert in the specialized platforms including Russian, Chinese, Ukranian, and others.

For the reasons noted above, it is in the interest of the Government that East View continue providing foreign language database support because the requirement can only be satisfied by East View and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements

6. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition Before Subsequent Contract Is Required

State what actions, if any, the program office can take to overcome barriers to competition before a contracting for this requirement again, such as:

using action to provide time to develop specifications for a competitive procurement by a certain date; licensing copyrights or patents so other contractors may use the works; or breaking the requirement into parts that may be purchased competitively. If this is a one-time requirement, explain that action to increase future competition is not needed. If the source is expressly required by statute, state “Source is statutory.”

To increase competition, we will: This order is being awarded to East View because the Library’s needs can only be satisfied by one vendor because there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements. FEDLINK will conduct market research of services that may support the member’s requirements in the future under an IDIQ contract.

7. Program Office Certification

I certify that the description of the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements, and technical information that provide the basis for this justification are accurate and complete.

Jess Orozco Network Librarian/COR

Name Title Signature

Orozco, Jessica

Digitally signed by Orozco, Jessica Date: 2024.06.03 13:28:53 -04'00'

8. Efforts to Solicit from As Many Potential Sources As Practicable Unless a justification is based on FAR 06.302-2, Unusual and compelling urgency, contracting officers shall post justifications for other than full and open competition, including brand name justifications, to the federal business opportunities website (or eBuy for Brand Name Justifications under FAR Part 8) prior to requesting a proposal or otherwise entering into negotiations.

Advance notice will be published in FedBizOpps for 15 days before a contract is awarded. FAR 5.203(a).

Advance or concurrent notice will be published in FedBizOpps for a reasonable time for commercial items FAR 5.203(a) and 12.204(b).

Advance notice will not be published because the action meets the following FAR exception:

Notice would compromise national security. FAR 5.202(a)(1).

Unusual and compelling urgency; notice period would seriously injure Government. FAR 5.202(a)(2).

Expressly authorized or required to be made through another Government agency. FAR 5.202(a)(4).

Order will be placed against an IDIQ contract awarded under FAR 16.5. FAR 5.202(a)(6).

Order will be placed against GSA schedule or other competitively-awarded contract. FAR 5.202(a)(11).

Other:

Advance notice will not be published per 41 U.S.C. § 6101; see attached deviation from the FAR per LCR 2110 § 3.A.

We made the following efforts to interest potential sources in this award:

9. Listing of Sources That Expressed Interest in Writing

The following sources expressed interest in this award:

10. Additional Information

The following additional information is relevant to this justification and approval:

11. Contracting Officer Determination that Price Is Fair and Reasonable As explained in detail below, I have determined that the prices for this contracting action are fair and reasonable based on comparison of the prices to the following (see FAR 15.404-1(b)(2):

Historical prices paid by the Government Library’s Independent Government Estimate Other:

Published competitive price lists Prices obtained through market research Prices obtained through competitive proposals

The following analysis (based on attached pricing information) supports my determination:

12. Contracting Officer Determination of Responsibility Checked System for Award Management (or will check in the case of competitive proposals for a brand name product)

13. Contracting Officer Determination of Best Value I have determined that this action represents the best value to the Government because:

14. Contracting Officer Certification I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this justification is accurate and complete.

Tariq Miakhel

Name Signature

Part 3 – Contracting Officer Determinations & Certification

Part 5 – Senior Procurement Executive (Required for actions valued at greater than $12,500,000)

Approved. Based on the information, determinations, and certifications provided by the program office and the contracting officer, and in accordance with the instructions below, I approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Option periods: No Yes, Number through Date

Not Approved. As explained below, I do not approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Comments or instructions:

Assist/Assoc General Counsel Name Title Signature Date

17. Head of the Procurement Activity Approval

Approved. Based on the information, determinations, and certifications provided by the program office and the contracting officer, and in accordance with the instructions below, I approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Not Approved. As explained below, I do not approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Comments or instructions:

Name Director, Contracts and Grants

Signature Date

Part 4 – Competition Advocate Approval (Required for actions valued at greater than $250,000)

17. Head of the Procurement Activity Approval