LSJ_ACQ support services FINAL V1 (Fully Executed).pdf

Limited Source Justification

Task Order Title: Acquisition Support Services

Solicitation Number: YA1323-20-MG-0005

Contractor: Erimax, Inc

Period of Performance: 8/15/2020 through 7/31/2022

Place of Performance: U.S. Census Bureau, Suitland, MD

COR: Sean Kinn

Contract Type: Time and Materials Task Order

1. Identification of the Agency and the Contracting Activity

U.S. Census Bureau, HQ Acquisition Division

2. Nature of the Action Being Approved

This is a logical follow-on for Acquisition Support Services from Erimax, Inc currently provided to the Census Bureau via two call orders issued under Blanket Purchase Agreement YA1323-15-BU-0006 that was competitively awarded in 2015. The proposed task order will allow for a continuation of the specific support services included in the two call orders under BPA YA1323-15-BU-0006. No additional support services are included in the new task order. The new task order will be awarded against the Erimax, Inc General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule (GS-10F-0099S).

3. Description of Services

The Acquisition Division staff supports the U.S. Census Bureau's mission; "To serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy," by awarding and administering purchase orders and contracts for mission essential goods and services, and by managing the Bureau’s purchase card program. This task order will provide ACQ with mission critical support for all phases of the acquisition life-cycle from pre-award planning through contract closeout as well as support to administer the purchase card program within the Census Bureau.

The period of performance includes one (1) one-year base period from August 15, 2020 through August14, 2021, and a one (1) year option period. The total estimated value of the task order is $9,544,725

4. Statutory Authority and Supporting Rational

Limited Sources Justification

Solicitation #YA1323-20-MG-0005

This action is taken pursuant to the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program and specifically the authority of 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 Acquisition Division (ACQ) plans, awards and administers purchase orders, contracts, and the government purchase card program for the entire Census Bureau. This includes many highly complex, mission critical contracts in support of the 2020 Decennial Census and many other programs and projects within the Census Bureau. Currently, services to support the Acquisition Division are provided via two call orders against a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with Erimax, Inc. Since the award of the BPA (YA1323-15-BU-0006) and call orders in 2016, Erimax, Inc has successfully provided the Acquisition Division with an array of expertise required to support the ongoing operations of the Division. This includes the support of many urgent and/or unanticipated contracting actions related to the 2020 Decennial Census, Information Technology (IT) systems development and maintenance, IT security, IT infrastructure, IT software, IT hardware, physical security and Census Bureau facility planning and management.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency on January 31, 2020 due to the novel (new) coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 that was identified in the Wuhan Province of China. On March 11. 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it to be a global pandemic. On March 13, 2020 the President of the United States declared the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 situation a national emergency in accordance with the National Emergencies Act. Additionally, on/around March 16, 2020 the Census Bureau shifted to a “mandatory telework/remote work” posture in accordance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines in order to promote social distancing and the maximum safety of federal employees and contractors.

In addition to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, the Census Bureau was (and still is) in the middle of operations for the 2020 Decennial Census. The Decennial Census is the largest operation conducted by the Census Bureau and employs over 450,000 full time and part time employees across the United States and U.S Territories. The Acquisition Division staff manage numerous large and highly-complex contracts that directly support the 2020 Decennial Census as well as many other critical infrastructure and management support contracts across other areas of the Census Bureau. Many of these contracts are requiring an increased level of attention and additional contract actions in order to ensure the continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A disruption to the Acquisition Division workforce during this critical period could have significant negative impacts on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Census Bureau’s ability to meet mission objectives and deadlines during this critical period. At a minimum, it would have immediate and significant impacts on the efficiency and costs of operations within the Acquisition Division. Competing a new contract and transitioning to a new vendor at this time would require a very significant amount of time from federal staff that are already stretched thin, and working in a new “100% telework” environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the transition to a new vendor would involve a period of duplicated costs while both the current and new vendor were completing transition activities necessary to ensure uninterrupted support to the Census Bureau. Finally, introducing a new vendor during the 100% telework environment has a high probability of reducing the efficiency of

Solicitation #YA1323-20-MG-0005 operations in the Acquisition Division. The current vendor is intimately familiar with Census Bureau procedures, contracts, federal staff, and has personnel that have already been fully vetted through the Census Bureau’s public trust background check process.

5. Determination of Best Value

In accordance with FAR 8.404(d) Pricing, GSA has already determined the rates for services offered at hourly rates under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. Therefore, ordering activities are not required to make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing, except for a price evaluation as required by 8.405-2(d). Therefore, a comparison will be made to determine if the rates proposed by Erimax, Inc align with the rates on their GSA PSS Schedule. Although GSA has already negotiated fair and reasonable pricing, the Contracting Officer will seek additional discounts before placing this task order. In accordance with FAR 8.405-2(d), the Contracting Officer will determine that the final proposed value of the task order is fair and reasonable. A comparative analysis will be done between the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), the Erimax proposal and other labor category and rate information that is available via the GSA CALC tool to assist in the determination of fair and reasonableness.

6. Market Research

Market Research was conducted and documented in accordance with FAR Part 10 in support of this procurement. Market Research for this procurement consisted of a review of historical acquisition information, knowledge in procuring services of this type, and a review of GSA Schedule holders in category 541611 – “Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business Program and Project Management Services”. Based on the market research, it was determined that there are many small (approximately 1,300) and large businesses capable of providing the required support services. It was further noted that several of the companies had direct experience providing the required support services to the Census Bureau. A copy of the full market research report is contained in the contract file.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification

Not acquiring the required acquisition support services from Erimax has the potential to cause a major disruption to the operation of the Acquisition Division, and its ability to award and administer hundreds of contracts supporting the Census Bureau.

8.Actions that may be taken by agency to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration

This task order will provide the Acquisition Division with continued un-interrupted support during and immediately following the critical period surrounding the 2020 Decennial Census. Upon expiration of this task order, if there is a continued need for the required support services the Census Bureau intends to compete the requirements. Prior to competing the requirements the Acquisition Division will conduct additional market research to identify capable companies, any new developments within the industry, and to develop an acquisition strategy that maximizes competition. The Acquisition Division will also ensure that the acquisition strategy includes sufficient time for a competitive procurement.

Solicitation #YA1323-20-MG-0005

9. Certification from the Contracting Officer:

As Contracting Officer, I hereby certify that the justification for limited sources for this requirement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Paul Boesch Date Contracting Officer

10. Recommendations and Certification from Program Office

Under my cognizance, I certify that the facts and representations of technical data that form the basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sean Kinn Date Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

14. Operating Unit Competition Advocate

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this limited source justification does not exceed $13,500,000.00, this review serves as approval.

Leslie Andrecs Date Operating Unit Competition Advocate