Limited Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

Version 2.0

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FOR AN ORDER/BPA EXCEEDING

THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 8.405-6)

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

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Central Operations (NCO).

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

This is a limited source justification to award a new firm-fixed price task order to Harris Geospatial Solutions, Inc. (HGSI) for Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) software.

The Government intends on issuing a Firm Fixed Price Task Order with HGSI utilizing HGSI’s General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract

#GS-35F-0265T.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

ENVI is a state-of-the-art image processing application designed to provide comprehensive image processing, exploitation and analysis of satellite and airborne remote sensing data.

ENVI software application is used to process and analyze geospatial imagery. It combines spectral image processing and geospatial analysis technology. ENVI software provides users with the ability to gain a better understanding of NOAA data and share that understanding with subject matter experts. ENVI Engine is a cloud-based image analysis solution that allows users to create, publish, and deploy advanced ENVI image and data analytics to any existing enterprise infrastructure. The image analysis that ENVI software provides to the NCEP users supports the NWS mission of protecting life and property.

NCEP NCO recognizes there are other software brands that provide similar functions and maintenance support. However, changing the software that is currently integrated into the entire database system would not only disrupt CO-OPS’ mission, but would also introduce significant costs and additional resources required to switch the software and train employees on how to use the software, which would be unduly burdensome. It is not in the Government’s best interest to purchase new data software. The depth of requirements and resources needed for integration and standardization of any new software or hardware components into the network system would be extremely cost ineffective. By utilizing the current software that is already in place, the Government saves time, money, and resources by continuing to purchase ENVI software.

The anticipated period of performance for this request includes a base period beginning July 20, 2020 through July 19, 2021 and four (4) twelve month option period thereafter continuing through July 19, 2025. The estimated value of this action is for the base period of twelve (12) months and for the four (4) twelve (12) month option periods.

The total estimated value of this action is

Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104

4. Authority and supporting rationale. The following circumstance justifies limiting the source as supported below:

Only one source under the authority of 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.

HGSI, located in Broomfield, Colorado is the exclusive manufacturer, developer, direct sales channel and distributor for ENVI and ENVI Engine software in the United States.

HGSI is the sole source supplier for these software products and utilizes no other authorized third-part distributors, resellers, or agents. HGSI is also the sole provider of endorsed training services for their software products; whether in classroom training courses designed and instructed by subject matter experts, or custom developed learning opportunities offered via onsite training classes built to meet the needs of the organization.

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

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) has already determined the prices of supplies fair and reasonable. Therefore, ordering activities are not required to make separate determinations of fair and reasonable pricing. The Contracting Officer has determined that ENVI software is essential to the Government’s requirement and that this order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) Pricing. However, in accordance with FAR 8.405-4 Price Reductions, the Contracting Officer will seek additional discounts before placing the order.

6. Market research conducted among schedule holders (or reason market research was not conducted).

Market research was conducted to determine the extent at which this requirement could be solicited. The Government performed market research by examining commercial sources on General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). The market research confirmed that there are no other providers of ENVI software on GSA FSS. The Government also conducted market research by examining all existing Commerce-Wide Strategic Sourcing Vehicles. There are no Strategic Sourcing Vehicles in place that provide ENVI software. All market research conducted concluded that there are no other providers of ENVI software other than HGSI. Additionally, A HGSI account manager provided a letter, issued to the Government, that the ENVI software being sought is not available through any third-parties, resellers, or agents. This letter from HGSI was signed by their legal counsel representative, Natalie Curtis.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

All supporting facts have been documented herein.

8. 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.