NLM_Network_Modern_LimitedSourcesJustification_signed 7-16-2021_Redacted.pdf

The BioTeam, Inc.

7 Derosier Drive Middleton, MA 01949-2494 BPA/Order Number: 75N97020A00012

(ii) Period of Performance Base Period: 8/21/2020 – 8/20/2021

(iii) Amount obligated to date: $445,000

(iv) The initial award was competed under applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures under NIH

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

a. Project title. NLM Network Optimization Assessment

b. Project description. See the attached SOW

Requirement type.

Support services (non-research & development) Supplies/equipment

X Information technology (IT) Other (specify): ____________________

Type of action.

New requirement X Follow-on

Other (specify): ______________________

Proposed contract/order type.

X Firm-fixed-price Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________

Acquisition identification number.

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

Base Period: August 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022 - $

4. Identification of the justification rationale [see 8.405-6(a) and (b)] and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

a. Acquisition authority.

X This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program. Consideration of schedule contractors will be restricted to fewer than the number required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1) (i.e., fewer than three FSS contractors).

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program. Consideration of schedule contractors will be restricted only to the item peculiar to one manufacturer as provided in FAR 8.405-6(a)(2).

b. Demonstration of the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

The BioTeam, Inc.

7 Derosier Drive Middleton, MA 01949-2494

Nature of the acquisition and proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications.

The purpose of this acquisition is to issue an eight (8) month logical follow-on task order to continue ongoing network consolidation efforts within the Institute

The proposed contractor is the contractor currently responsible for the ongoing network optimization and design assessment effort within the Institute.

In the interest of economy and efficiency, this work is a logical follow-on. The current team is well established with the processes and teams that are required to support the requirements in the SOW.

Bringing on a new team will not only delay the assessment of NLM’s current network architecture, but introduce risk in schedule and cost as a new team will need duplicate assessment efforts and risk potential losses of knowledge transfer gained in the current assessment.

Contracting with a new team would also require a contract/order with a much longer period of performance to account for the learning curve, increasing both cost and the ability to get information to our end-users in a timely manner. Costs that would be incurred for a new contractor include cost for transition in/out, onboarding, and ramp-up a new contractor team.

5. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the ordering activity CO has concluded that the order represents the best value (see FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs. Furthermore, additional discounts will be sought before placing an order in accordance with FAR 8.405-4. In accordance with 8.405-2(d), Evaluation, the price evaluation will be conducted by the CO and Project Officer by considering the level of effort and the mix of labor proposed to perform the work is appropriate, and by determining that the total price is reasonable. The resultant contract will be a firm-fixed price effort using institutional knowledge of the work to be performed and information for previous similar efforts to negotiate a fair and reasonable price. The Government will rely on labor categories and rates consistent with the Contractor’s Federal Supply Schedule with additional discounts to be requested.

6. Description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted. Market research for this logical follow-on was not conducted because the task order will be awarded to the incumbent contractor in the interest of economy and efficiency. No other vendors are able to complete the efforts initiated under the previous contract without duplication of costs and efforts as well at the potential delays that would occur.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification. None

8. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

a. Removal of barriers to competition. NLM anticipates this project to be a one-time effort to assess the network architecture and does not expect for subsequent acquisitions to be required.

b. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed an interest, in writing, in the acquisition. None

9. Program office certification.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements, or other rationale for limited sources, are accurate and complete.