LSJ IV 4-23-24.pdf

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION (FAR 8.405-6)

1. REQUESTING ACTIVITY: Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Washington, DC.

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING PROCESSED:

MCC started exploring the need to build a stable IT infrastructure and business systems for MCAs because they were struggling with numerous technical and functional challenges. This initiative started after a catastrophic collapse of IT infrastructure and business systems at an MCA. The MCAs were required to develop their own IT infrastructure and depended on their functional contractors to provide business systems to manage their compact data. The MCAs ended up investing large amounts of compact funds in attempting to establish IT infrastructure to support their day-to day operations.

The varying degrees of success of these endeavors depended on the capacity of the in-house MCA staff and expensive externals contractors. The expensive business systems paid for out of compact funds were the property of the fiscal agents and procurement agents, with MCA and MCC depending on these contractors to provide quarterly data on an agreed upon frequency. There was no access to current data for oversight purposes. At stake was oversight of billions of taxpayer dollars.

Iron Vine has supported MCC since 2008 on several technical and program management projects including the IT needs of MCC overseas staff offices. At the request of MCC, they helped an MCA recover from a catastrophic collapse of their IT infrastructure. Their intervention and approach provided the foundation for the MCA MIS Program. The MCC Department of Compact Operations (DCO) and OCIO worked to design a standard solution and uniform approach for the IT Infrastructure deployment at MCAs. An interdisciplinary team at MCC worked to identify the business system to support MCA financial and procurement management and reporting needs (SAP). Iron Vine and its associates have continued to work with MCC and MCAs using a proprietary solution to further develop a MCC business solution that supports all MCAs. The Proprietary Product was developed previously and is dedicated to Public Sector Organizations in the areas of Finance, Funds/Grant Management, Project Systems, Procurement modules and such. It is a solution built on the SAP Platform, with a combination of ASAP & FOCUS methodologies following Public Sector Industry’s best Practices to ensure transparency and management of funds distributed by organizations to their projects. It integrates and builds reporting requirements necessary for the Public Sectors. This solution supports about 90% of the MCA and MCC requirements. Further critical enhancements were made to adapt the solution to fully meet MCC needs. The MCC enhancements are completely integrated with their proprietary solution. This proprietary solution is built based on their vast public sector experience using SAP platform. This solution was certified as a SAP certified product by SAP in 2011.

Iron Vine experienced first-hand the challenges faced by MCAs in standing up their offices with these two projects, which serve as the backbone for their daily operations. Iron Vine’s close collaboration and communication with MCAs and MCC allowed them to build over time a common prototype solution that meets the requirements of all MCAs, as well as the MCC. These enhanced solutions are now considered critical to MCA daily operations because they provide a stable and secure computing environment and a world class business application to manage and report financial, procurement and project data.

Since 2014 with the first pilot implementation, Iron Vine has successfully overseen the successful implementation of the MCA MIS Program in 13 countries and to support the countries in during their implementation, including Malawi, Zambia, Indonesia, Ghana, El Salvador, Liberia, Benin, Niger, Morocco, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mongolia, and Nepal. They are also actively working with countries that are moving towards EIF, including Malawi II, Lesotho II, Kosovo, Timor Leste, Indonesia, Benin Regional, and Mozambique. They are contracted by these MCAs to continue to work with these countries until they close in six to seven years. MCC overseas these engagements. With the acceleration of the compact development process, they are expected to support several additional countries that are poised to sign compact agreements with MCC in the immediate future.

In additional to the technologies and designs, the program implementation approach is distinct. Iron Vine was able to refine the approach over the years because of their hands-on experience of working with each county. They understand how to navigate unique challenges, ranging from resourcing office materials in remote regions to navigating local customs clearance procedures. The team experience makes this rapid implementation methodology possible. Iron Vine’s historical insight and knowledge of the program design and strategies is critical to the success of the Program. The team has learned the uniqueness of countries all over the world, and they know what works well and what does not work. They have gained this important understanding over the course of the past 10 plus years of working closely with the MCAs.

It would take a new contractor years to gain the same in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the Program implementation technologies, methodologies, and strategies and to propose a new solution that would compare with the existing solution. Even if a new contractor is identified, MCC will need to continue to work with Iron Vine on the existing compacts for the next several years until they close.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS:

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has a requirement to obtain experienced and qualified contractor resources to support the Department of Compact Operations (DCO) with the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Management Information System (MIS) program. Activities include but are not limited to:

Provide program management and technical support to define, plan and coordinate the standard Information Technology infrastructure and business solution for MCAs overseas.

Manage and maintain the MCA MIS Prototype solution (both IT infrastructure and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application) in the Washington, D.C. area.

4. AUTHORITY PERMITTING LIMITATION OF SOURCES: The authority for Limiting Sources in this case if FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(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.

5. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR

NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF ONLY ONE

RESPONSIBLE SOURCE AUTHORITY:

Iron Vine has successfully managed this Program with an experienced, multi-disciplinary team, which includes senior project management professionals, senior functional subject matter experts and technical engineers. The retention of Key Personnel on the contract has benefited the MCAs and MCCs by ensuring consistency, and speed in the delivery of quality services. The Senior Program Manager and Senior Systems Engineer each have 30 years of professional experience in their areas of expertise, including more than 13 years each at MCC. The Senior Subject Matter Experts also has more than 20 years of professional experience, including 13 years at MCC. The SAP team assigned to this Program has worked on the MCC Core Solution from Day 1 and have designed and supported it over 13 years. They have in depth understanding of MCC and MCA requirements and knowledge of

MCA data to support the proprietary business solution. Their rapid implementation approach allows them to implement the multiple modules of the integrated business systems and train the MCA staff in 19 weeks. This seasoned team has great insight into the MCC culture and requirements. Their close working relationship with the MCAs, including overseas travel to our partner countries, also uniquely positions them to understand how the MCAs operate daily. The entire team has in-depth knowledge of MCC requirements and MCA business processes would take years to rebuild.

Iron Vine is the systems developer (hardware, networking, security, and software), the systems trainer and maintainer of the core platform and all export-compliant system components. They perform site surveys/inspections, develops/acquires all compliant systems components, and deploys systems in the host nation. Scope includes design/set-up the complete MCA network, a secure perimeter (firewall, traffic filtering, anti-malware), the AD domain infrastructure, network monitoring, remote access, printing and file sharing, and continuous operations of all related system features. Development, integration, and maintenance of the vendor developed proprietary solution on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform and the prototype system managed in a secure lab environment. Since the new vision has been put into effect, the infrastructure has reliably supported host nation compact operations and the business system has enabled MCC to conduct full transparency-oversight governance of compact operations involving billions of grants monies from US Taxpayers.

Travel Experience:

Iron Vine’s work straddles the entire MCC portfolio, including Africa and Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America (EAPLA). The team understands the unique cultures and customs across the portfolio, and they can easily adapt.

Iron Vine has formed a team that is expert in global travel. Team members can be depended on to travel overseas at a moment’s notice. Because of their travel experience to developing countries, they easily navigate visa logistics, vaccinations, and travel without concern. Iron Vine also has bi-lingual team members to support the Francophone countries in the MCC portfolio, helping to build trust and important relationships with our partner countries.

MCC Knowledge:

The Iron Vine Team has gained an in-depth understanding of MCC technical and functional requirements. They know technical capabilities and challenges across the portfolio, such as internet and power constraints. They also have an in-depth understanding of MCC requirements for MCA management and reporting of financial and procurement data. Management of the SAP Core Solution has necessitated a complete understanding of how the MCAs are required to manage and report this data to all stakeholders. As a result, Iron Vine understands the requirements related to essential monthly and quarterly reporting to the MCC. This knowledge is essential for supporting implementation and management of the SAP solution.

Unique Methods and Tools for Working with Overseas Partners Iron Vine understands the challenges of working daily with overseas partners. They have used their knowledge to design solutions to facilitate regular communications and information sharing across MCAs. During the pandemic, the team rapidly expanded the Program by implementing monthly Collaboration Sessions to promote best practices across MCAs; a monthly newsletter to share program-related updates; and a portal to centralize program documentation for MCAs. These types of approaches demonstrate Iron Vine’s exceptional understanding of the MCA needs in addition to their certified SwiFT methodologies and solutions.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED

FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED ACCEPTABLE:

Given the needs of the MCA and MCC, Iron Vine’s demonstrated abilities and proprietary solution make it the only responsible solution available to the Agency at this time. No other solution would support the current requirements without utilizing extensive time and funds.

7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED

COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE:

Given the historical contract contracts with Iron Vine for similar services, the Government anticipates that the cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS OR

A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS A MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED:

Based on the unique qualifications and proprietary solution developed by Iron Vine, the Government intends to make an award to Iron Vine. Historical information, small business outreach events and past competition on GSA Schedules was used to conduct market research.

9. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTION IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE

OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING ANY

SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

The Government will start the market research and outreach process over a year in advance to identify any potential sources and discuss any alternative approaches.

10. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION:

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. CERFITICATION BY MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM OFFICE:

I certify that the supporting technical data, which form the rationale for a limited sources acquisition, is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Certified by: _______________________________ Date: ______________

12. CONTRACTS AND GRANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION CONTRACTING OFFICER

CERTIFICATION:

Attached is a price determination that the anticipated cost to the Government is fair and reasonable. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Certified by: ________________________________ Date: _______________

13. OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL:

I have reviewed and found this justification to be legally sufficient.

Approved by: _________________________________ Date: ______________

4/22/2024