Limited-Sources-Justification-and-Approval_FAR_8_4-2021_1.pdf

Solicitation No.: 140R2022Q0061 Page 1 of 4

WBR 1408.405 - Template 1 (04/2021)

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

For Orders or BPAs established under Federal Supply Schedules

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6, the proposed contractual action is pursuant to the statutory authority under the Multiple Award Schedule Program [Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq.) and Title 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies]. This template is required for all limited sources justifications over the micro-purchase threshold, including brand name.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(i)).

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, California Great Basin, Acquisition Services 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825

2. Nature/Description of Action (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(ii)).

The proposed procurement action is limiting the source under authority FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(C), for contractor’s service to extend California Simulation (CalSim) 3 period of simulation through water year 2021, and update input parameters to better represent existing conditions.

The anticipated contract type will be a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) task order basis. The task order is for a two-year period and Fiscal Year 2022 funds will be utilized.

3. Description of Supplies/Services (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(iii)).

The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Division of Planning has a requirement for contractor’s service for an extension of the CalSim 3 period of simulation through water year 2021, and update input parameters to better represent existing conditions. The BOR has additional need for the contractor’s assistance to review, revise, and QA/QC the CalSim 3 model, which is a combination of modeling works from various counterparts such as US Fish and Wildlife Services, California Department of Water Resources, and Reclamation modelers from California Great Basin (CGB)-700, Bay-Delta Office (BDO)-100, Central Valley Operations Office (CVO)-100, San Joaquin Restoration Program of CGB-170 of Reclamation.

4. Authority and Circumstance Justifying Limiting Sources (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(iv) and 8.405-6(c)(2)(xi)).

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A. Proposed Contractor Name.

Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.

370 Interlocked Blvd Ste 200 Broomfield, CO 80021-8009

SAM UEI: HAKDPJ5Q18X5

GSA Contract No. 47QRAA19D000Q

B. Rationale Supporting the Circumstance to Limit Sources

Stantec developed the CalSim 3 model as a joint effort with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the BOR as a linkage with the other planning models. CalSim3’s output data is used as input data of the other models for the management and planning of water resources for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project (CVP). As the developer of the models, Stantec will assist BOR in providing an extension of the CalSim 3 period of simulation through water year 2021, and update input parameters to better represent existing conditions.

CalSim 3 represents the hydrology of the foothill and mountainous “rim” watersheds

Authority Circumstance ☐ FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) An urgent and compelling need exists and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

☒ 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.

☐ FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(C)

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on 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 order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

☐ FAR 8.405-6(b)(1) Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

Solicitation No.: 140R2022Q0061 Page 3 of 4 that surround the Central Valley as preprocessed timeseries of boundary inflows derived from observed streamflow records.

The BOR is in middle of developing, modifying and quality controlling CalSim 3 models. Stantec has played an integral role of these modeling efforts in last 20 years.

The models require updating to comply with California Assembly Bill 2800, Climate Change: Infrastructure Planning. The legislature requires agencies to incorporate current and future impacts from hydrology, demand, and climate change when planning, designing, building, operating, maintaining, and investing in water infrastructure by updating the model logic of models such as CalSim 3.

Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. is the developer of the CalSim 3 model used by Reclamation. Stantec is the only entity able to perform hydrology and demand development (model input development), review and make updates to this modeling software to meet Reclamation needs. Stantec has been leading the Reclamation’s part of the CalSim model development under several contract with Reclamation and has a thorough knowledge of the model CalSim 3.

5. Best Value Determination (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(v)).

FAR 8.405-2(d), the level of effort and the mix of proposed labor will be evaluated by the requiring activity and deemed fair and reasonable by the Contracting Officer.

The requirement is being procured using procedures prescribed by FAR 8.4 Federal Supply Schedules. In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and fixed price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. However, the Contracting Officer (CO) will seek further price reduction in writing and/or as part of any exchange between the Government and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. before placing the order IAW FAR 8.405-4.

6. Description of Market Research (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(vi)).

Market research conducted by the Program: Market research included reviewing the website for the San Joaquin SBA and the Sacramento SBA. The information was reviewed via websites, GSA profiles and no small had experience with the complete and total existing model source-code of CalSim except Stantec Water Resources, Inc. If another firm is awarded this contract, they would need to subcontract to Stantec Water Resources Inc. to accomplish the project work.

Market research conducted by the CO: CO had reviewed previous awarded contract files and discovered that award was made to MWH Global Incorporated at the time against task order 06B120497B (IDQ #06CS204097B) to develop CalSim 3.0 model. On January

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1, 2017, MWH was merged into Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Stantec).

Subsequently, multiple awards were made to Stantec for work that related to CalSim 3 such as 140R2019F0045 (against GSA Schedule), R14PD00372 (against internal IDIQ #R12PC20255), and R10PD20228 (against internal IDIQ # R10PC20536). Due to Stantec being the original developer of this model, Stantec is the only source that is capable of performing the requirements listed on the Performance Work Water as Stantec has the unique set of knowledge, skills, experience, and required resources that can fulfill the Government’s needs successfully. Additionally, Stantec has abundance of detailed historical data related to water problems that BOR and DWR are facing such as stream flows, diversions, reservoir storage regulation, and reservoir evaporation will be needed to accomplish the required tasks. If another firm is awarded this contract, they would need to subcontract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to accomplish the project work. It would take considerable time to bring another firm up to speed of Stantec and may not have the skills set and in-depth knowledge of the historical data of BOR’s water challenges.

A notice of intent to sole source announcement was posted on SAM.gov on March 31, 2022, and no responses were received.

7. Any Other Supporting Facts (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(vii)).

Competing this action would result in a duplication of effort to re-accomplish the original report, resulting in an extensive duplication of cost to the Government.

8. Actions Taken to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Restricted Consideration (FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(viii)).

As the developer of the referenced models currently being used by Reclamation, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. is the only entity capable of modifying those models. Any future requirements for the creation of new model will be solicited on a competitive basis.