NBAF Off-Site Lab JOFOC 01.13.2020 (002).pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition United States Department of Agriculture

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

Requesting Agency:

USDA, Veterinary Services, Diagnostics and Biologics P.O. Box 844, 1920 Dayton Avenue Ames, Iowa 50010

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, Acquisition and Asset Management Division Procurement Branch 250 Marquette Ave, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA intends to negotiate a sole-source single firm-fixed-price single award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract to The Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), DUNS 076282235, 1041 Pat Roberts Hall 1900 Denison Avenue Manhattan, KS 66506-7600.

This contract will be a new contract for the purpose of Off-Site Laboratory Use and Training.

Previously, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was in place between the Department of Homeland Security, USDA, Kansas State University (KSU) and the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) for cooperation of Bio and Agro Defense activities, which expired September 2020.

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

Under this procurement, BRI will provide Scientific Off-Site Classroom Laboratory Use and Training Services for the facilitation of high quality training for the handling and identification of high-consequence pathogens and the diagnosis of diseases in animals and plants, including, but not limited to, laboratory instruction, demonstrations, experiential learning. and other general elements of training programs.

NBAF will be a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2), BSL-3 and BSL-4 capable biocontainment research and diagnostic laboratory facility for the study and diagnoses of diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture and the nation’s overall public health. NBAF replaces the aging Plum Island PIADC facility which will be decommissioned. The NBAF facility is anticipated to be commissioned in late 2021 and the Biorepository Transfer from PIADC to NBAF will begin. The NBAF facility will not contain a BSL-3 laboratory that is pathogen free. A pathogen free BSL-3 laboratory is essential for training and performance preparedness.

Services include, and are not limited to, provide Science Support Off-Site Laboratory Use and Training services for NBAF government personnel assigned to NBAF in Manhattan, KS. NBAF government personnel include maintenance staff; engineering staff; laboratory technical staff;

Harris, Charmion M - APHIS Is this the correct DUNS – this is listing for K State Foundation, BRI not found.

animal caretaker staff; training staff; field epidemiologist staff; and others with training needs to meet NBAF requirements. Off-Site Laboratory Use and Training Services include: Lab and Observation Classroom Use; Lab Skills Observation and Feedback; Virtual Q&A Training Sessions, Facility Led Training and other training as specified per task order.

The period of performance will consist of one 12-month base period plus three 12-month option periods. Estimated minimum values are as follows:

Base Year: $18,928.00 Option Year I: $18,928.00 Option Year II: $15,628.00 Option Year III: $15,628.00 Total: $69,112.00

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements."

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

The NBAF facility will not contain the necessary pathogen free BSL-3 laboratory needed for training NBAF government personnel. BRI is considered uniquely qualified to offer critical services within the required timeframe for supporting NBAF operational preparedness for its critical science mission and capabilities.

Kansas State University operates and owns the BRI on its Manhattan, KS, campus. The BRI is a unique biocontainment research and education facility which is a national leader in biodefense multidisciplinary research, conducting comprehensive infectious disease research to address threats to plant, animal, and human health, including food-borne pathogens, and multiple pathogens and host species within a single facility. The BRI trains scientists in recurring and emerging infectious diseases in BSL-3, ABSL-3 and BSL3-Ag spaces.

The BRI’s Integrated Training Suite, a classroom-laboratory interactive learning environment employing the latest instructional technologies, as well as digital connectivity between the research and training areas, facilitates high quality training for the handling and identification of high-consequence pathogens and the diagnosis of diseases in animals and plants. BRI’s Integrated Training Room is equipped with: changing room, shower, dressing room, mobile case work, pass-through gas decontamination box, pass-through dunk tank, pass-through autoclave, fume hood, three biosafety cabinets, optional -80 freezers, refrigerator, six ceiling mounted HD PTZ cameras (records multiple angles), one bench-top HD medical camera, one biosafety cabinet HD medical camera, eight encrypted-wireless microphones, voice reinforcement system and telephone conference system.

Close proximity is essential to ensure training capability of the number of NBAF Government personnel (approximately 200 people) requiring multiple training events in a BSL-laboratory for full performance preparedness. Interruptions in NBAF operational readiness could delay mission critical performance of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2), BSL-3 and BSL-4 biocontainment research and diagnoses of diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture and the nation’s overall public health.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

Market research reveals that there are no other laboratory and classroom combinations within close proximity that meet the specifications required for NBAF Government personnel operational readiness. Additionally, an exception to synopsizing exists under FAR 5.202 (13)(i), The proposed contract action is for an amount not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Historic MOU pricing for laboratory and classroom, as well as current catologue pricing for BRI use has been utilized for the build-up of the Independent Government Cost Estimate. The prices used are considered fair and reasonable in comparison to other BSL-3 laboratory and classroom training facilities; and considerably less overall as there is not any additional cost for trainee travel and other per diem related expenses.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted utilizing peer contacts within the BSL-3 laboratory scientific community, internet searches, as well discussions with DoD Army contracting professionals who utilize similar facilities for similar mission training. While there are other similar facilities in specifications and size, there are no other laboratory and classroom combinations within close proximity to NBAF that meet the specifications required for NBAF Government personnel operational readiness.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

USDA is preparing the required authorizations, justifications, and determinations needed to effectuate this sole-source requirement for Off-Site Laboratory Use and Training. The effort cannot be easily duplicated or replicated with another contractor without undue expense and delay to the government.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed a written interest in this acquisition.

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

No subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Jeffrey Hansford Training Supervisor, NBAF MRP-APHIS-Diagnostics and Biologics

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Robert Zeglin Contracting Officer, APHIS

MRP-APHIS-ACQ & ASSET MGMT DIV

Additional Reviews & Approvals (not required)

Signatures are required at each threshold up to the total estimated dollar value of the acquisition

Advocate for competition for the procuring activity (if over $700,000, but not exceeding $13.5 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, unless additional approvals are required as prescribed below, as advocate for competition for the procuring activity, I hereby approve this justification.

Insert Name of the Mission Area Competition Advocate Mission Area Advocate for Competition

Head of the Procuring Activity (if over $13.5 million, but not exceeding $68 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, unless additional approvals are required as prescribed below, as the Head of the Procuring Activity, I hereby approve this justification.

Insert Name of the Head of the Procuring Activity Head of the Procuring Activity United States Department of Agriculture

Senior Procurement Executive of the Agency (if over $68 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, as the Senior Procurement Executive, I hereby approve this justification.

Insert Name of Senior Procurement Executive Senior Procurement Executive United States Department of Agriculture