Limited Source Justification_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6 and 40 U.S.C 501

SOL 140D0420Q0138

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program.

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Source Justification.”

This document is a Limited Source Justification for the Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Division 1, for the Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

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

This is a sole source justification for an award to purchase, maintain, and support L3Harris Geospatial Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) remote sensing software. The DOI, OCIO requires continued support for Geospatial ENVI currently provided under the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) D15PA00003. The current BPA expires on April 19, 2020. This new BPA will provide continued maintenance on the existing DOI ENVI software installation base, as well as technical support services.

Support provided includes media or on-line upgrade capability for upgrades of all existing and new software products in the L3Harris Geospatial ENVI GSA Schedule, access to technical support, and access training courses. L3Harris is the current vendor for the existing BPA.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

(including the estimated value).

The DOI has a significant investment in L3Harris Geospatial ENVI software to accomplish mission critical tasks involving the analysis of remotely sensed data. Image processing tasks include gathering information from ad-hoc data visualization and data analysis, along with reading, extracting, processing, analyzing, and sharing information from high spatial and spectral-resolution imagery. Over the past several years this investment has grown through individual awards by DOI Bureaus and Bureau programs.

SOL 140D0420Q0138

ENVI software capabilities are mission-critical to the DOI by providing the Land Remote Sensing (LRS) and other programs and projects with the tools required to accomplish the completion of many tasks associated with spectral remote sensing analysis. This ENVI software includes viewing, analyzing, sharing and manipulating geospatial and hyperspectral data. Hyperspectral remote sensing is the inevitable future of remote sensing and ENVI is the de facto standard for hyperspectral analysis, utilizing special spectroscopic algorithms, routines and spectral libraries. ENVI provides advanced, user-friendly tools to read, explore, prepare, analyze and share information extracted from geospatial imagery not known to exist in any other software products, including custom libraries such as the US Geological Survey (USGS) mineral spectral library.

ENVI software utilizes the IDL programing language, a proprietary software application by L3Harris Geospatial. IDL is a timesaving, cross-platform computing environment for data analysis, visualization, and application development. IDL requires minimal code and program expertise to produce excellent visualizations and analyses.

The estimated ordering limit of this BPA is $1,500,000.00. In addition to maintenance of DOI’s existing ENVI license base and support services, the proposed BPA includes discounts on existing and new ENVI software, maintenance, and training. The duration of the agreement is a base period of one year plus four one-year options beginning on April 20, 2020.

4. The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

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

L3Harris Geospatial is the main remote sensing technology business partner with Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri). DOI acquires the vast majority of its geospatial technology from Esri, the existing geospatial technology standard in DOI and the Federal Government. The L3Harris Geospatial business and technology development relationship is a key reason why the only new remote sensing software acquired by DOI the last two years has been ENVI.

Failure to procure the products identified herein would greatly affect the ability of the agency to continue with necessary geospatial functions. Bureau programs who need this technology for mission critical activities would have to attempt to perform those tasks with less functional remote sensing software. This would cost more through training and tasks could no longer be completed due to lack of functionality that couldn't be replicated. Or replicated through internal development which would be extremely expensive. For the time being, the risk and potential of negative consequences to the Government not utilizing the correct support, maintenance, and upgrades for all ENVI products listed in L3Harris Geospatial’s GSA Schedule GS-35F-0265T must be avoided.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

The ENVI software and technical support services under this BPA will be quoted as an estimated dollar value for the base year and each option period. The AQD Contracting Officer (CO) will determine the price is fair and reasonable at time of award by comparing the pricing against current L3Harris Geospatial ENVI GSA Schedule (GS- 35F-0283J) rates.

Based on this comparison it is anticipated the BPA’s price will represent a best value to the Government.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted amongst GSA schedule contract holders, two Requests for Information (RFIs) were posted on GSA’s e-Buy, one to the small businesses and one to both small and large businesses. Each RFI asked the contract holders to provide information regarding their ability to provide the software and support required by OCIO.

The first was posted on January 3, 2020 and was open to all small business GSA schedule contract holders under SIN 132-34. No responses were received as of January 17, 2020, when the RFI closed. Subsequently, on January 13, 2020 a second RFI was posted. Only one response was received as of January 21, 2020 when the posting closed. L3Harris Geospatial was the only GSA schedule contract holder to provide a response to the RFI. In total, 553 GSA schedule holders were contacted to determine if there are any potential competitive sources capable of providing support, maintenance, upgrades and the rights to distribute software for all ENVI products listed in L3Harris Geospatial’s GSA Schedule GS-35F-0265T.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

DOI will revisit this analysis for each Option Year on the BPA and will make efforts to maximize competition in the industry, if market conditions or the Governments requirements change.

9. The ordering activity contracting officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature redacted Stephanie Wixted Date Contracting Officer

10. Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for limited sources) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

I certify the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meet the Government’s minimum needs.

Mark Negri Date Contracting Officer’s Representative

11. For justifications under 8.405-6(a)(1), a written determination by the approving official identifying the circumstance that applies.

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

12. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

Sarah J. Rumney Date Division Chief

Approve

Michael Whalen Date Bureau Procurement Chief