Justification For Sole Source.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT (OPEN MARKET OR GSA)

UNDER $250,000

Identification of Program Office, Contracting Activity, and Proposed Requirement, Justification and Program Office

Certification:

A. Program Office:

Office of Emergency Management Office of The Associate Director Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4770 Buford Highway Building 102 Atlanta, GA 30341

B. Contracting Activity:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Financial Resources Acquisition Branch

C. Identification of Requirement:

1. Nature of Action to be Approved by Contracting Officer:

a. Sole source acquisition of: Updated and modernized the latest ATSDR’s Medical Management Guides for Acute Chemical Exposures (MMGs)

b. Procurement Request (PR) Number (if available): 0HJAAQ13-2024-84594

2. Proposed Vendor and Estimated Procurement Amount (if available):

a. Proposed Vendor: Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG)

b. Estimated Procurement Amount: $161,773.82

3. Is the requirement on GSA Schedule? ☐ Yes ☒ No

If yes, provide schedule number: N/A

Rev. 5/14/19

Justification:

1. The justification for this non-competitive action is:☐ In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), “only one source [is] reasonably available” which states that, “For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). (ii) Where a single source is identified to provide a portion of a purchase because that portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring brand-name item.

The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand- name.” ☐ Urgency ☐ Exclusive licensing agreements/Proprietary data ☐ Brand name required ☐ Industrial mobilization ☐ Other (e.g., compatibility, space issues, continuity, compatibility, etc.) ☒ In accordance with FAR 8.405-6 “Limiting Sources” which states that, “the only circumstances that may justify the action are – (A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays; (B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized;

or (C) In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-up to an original

Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.” ☐ Urgency ☐ Only One Source ☒ Logical Follow Up ☐ Brand name required

2. Other facts supporting sole source procurement:

a. What can this product/service do that other products/services cannot do?

Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) is the only option as it has the benefit of uninterrupted service of previous projects.

ERG will continue to update and modernize the latest ATSDR’s Medical Management Guides for Acute Chemical

Exposures (MMGs), Volume III of the Managing Hazardous Materials Incident series and has the extensive knowledge and unique specific skills sets to update the pharmacology recommendations, patient information sheets, PPE recommendations, clinical testing, environmental testing, and references. Specifically, this task requires the contractor to:

• Update the pharmacology recommendations for treatment of symptoms in both the hospital and pre-hospital setting.

• Update the chemical protective equipment recommendations to current usage.

• Update the recommended clinical tests in the hospital section.

• Modify recommendations according to capabilities in a typical regional medical center lab.

• Update the environmental testing instruments and procedures according to most common practices in characterizing the hazard in the specified settings (pre-hospital, hospital).

• Provide detailed references for each document and section to be included in the master file provided to

ATSDR for both existing and updated sections.

• Update the plain language information in the patient information sheet to reflect current understanding of the hazards of the substance. Review the most recent ATSDR ToxFAQs to ensure consistency between the

MMG and ATSDR Toxicological Profiles.

Rev. 5/14/19

• Update the list of resources in the introduction to the volume available for additional information and support in crisis situations.

ERG successfully developed the first set of 20 MMGs covering more than 50 substances and they have the level of knowledge and expertise on board to continue with the development of the next set of MMGs without encountering any major issues and/or delays. They also designed format based on latest modules’ pilot-testing data and accessibility requirements, in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act which meets the Agency’s IT intranet and internet website requirements

b. What other products/services were considered and why did they not meet the need?

No other services were considered because ERG successfully developed the first set of 20 MMGs covering more than 50 substances and they have the level of knowledge and expertise on board to continue with the development of the next set of MMGs without encountering any major issues and/or delays other contractors will have. ERG is the only option as it has the benefit of uninterrupted service of previous projects They also designed format based on latest modules’ pilot-testing data and accessibility requirements.

3. Program Office efforts to seek potential offerors:

No other potential offerors was seek due to ERG is the only option as it has the advantage of uninterrupted service.

It should also be noted that utilizing ERG will be cost effective for the government because ERG scientific/technical staff are knowledgeable and experience with the various chemical classification and composition for which the next set of MMGs will be developed. ERG successfully developed the first set of

MMGs will minimal revisions and within the milestone delivery schedule. Therefore, ATSDR did not seek other potential offerors. CDC/ATSDR would like to ensure major issues and/or delays, other companies would lack the expertise to understand the content. Seeking other offerors could risk security of the Medical Management Guides for Acute Chemical Exposures information. As a result, other offerors were not sought.

D. Program Office Certification:

I have reviewed this sole source justification and certify the justification is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Name/Title: Darlene C. Brady/ Resource Management

Specialist/ATSDR/Office of Associate Director

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Signature:

Certification Date: March 11, 2024

E. Contracting Office Certification:

I have fully relied on the information provided herein and hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer Name:

Contracting Officer Signature:

Certification Date:

Date3_af_date: