Neuralog_SS_J_A_signed_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR _0040538740__

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)” only one source reasonably available”.

2. Nature of Action Being Approved. This requisition is for a non-competitive firm fixed price contract to Neuralog for the purchase of hardware and software maintenance service for base year plus four option years. The requesting program office is the U.S. Geological Survey, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center (LMG WSC) Nashville Office.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. This purchase extends maintenance on existing Neuralog hardware and software in use by LMG WSC locations in Nashville, TN; Pearl, MS;

Little Rock, AR; and Memphis, TN.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. The total estimated cost of maintenance for the Neuralog hardware and software for all 5 years is $96,500.

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)” only one source reasonably available”.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. USGS offices within the LMG WSC have been using NeuraLog software and hardware tools for more than 15 years. To date, approximately $73,000 has been invested in software licenses of this tool. It is used in groundwater investigations across the LMG. Users are already trained in this complex software and large state level geophysical databases have been developed using these software tools. The software and hardware provide users with the ability to scan, digitize, visualize, and interpret large format borehole geophysical logs and maps. The software has uniquely designed scanners, rasterization and vectorization tools, and auto digitization features that are not available in other commercial software.

Further, replacement of the product is not feasible as: (a) 15 years of data has already been processed using the software and to have a comparable data set of future data to past data, the current software must be maintained. (b) In order to replace the software, all past data would have to be converted to a new software package, assuming past data could even be converted. (c) This requirement seeks to maintain existing software. If alternate software is obtained, it would require similar non-competitive maintenance in short order. (d) Replacement of this tool is not expected to overcome any savings achieved through competition for this maintenance requirement.

Neuralog is the sole proprietor. Software maintenance and customer support can be provided only by Neuralog. There is no authorized supplier for this service. An internet search did not return any other resellers of the product. The Contract Specialist posted an RFI- G16PS00751 from 08/12/2016 through 08/18/2016 and received no response as well.

7. Other Information. Not applicable.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR _0040538740__

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

An extensive internet search did not return any other resellers of Neuralog software and hardware maintenance or for other products to meet the Government’s minimum needs.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. Future purchases for same/similar items will undergo market research and will be competed to the maximum extent practicable.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

Lead IT Specialist Signature Date

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. The contracting officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on the comparison with the list price and quoted price which is of a 30% discount as a result of negotiation.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Approvals

Kristine Murray, Contracting Officer Date

Jennifer Kelley, Bureau Competition Advocate Date