Redacted_J A.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - PROCUREMENT SENSITIVE - SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION& APPROVAL

Federal Supply Schedules

Social Media Management Software

NOKXK5RI004

AUTHORITY: Section 201 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 501)

REFERENCES:

FAR 8.405-6 (b) – Items peculiar to one manufacturer. For proposed orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, the ordering activity contracting officer may solicit an item peculiar to one manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer. Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs. The contracting officer shall approve the justification unless a higher approval level is established in accordance with agency procedures.

The procurement strategy is to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) through General Services Administration

(GSA) 8(a) Stars II utilizing the e-Buy tool in accordance with FAR 8.405-1(d)(3).

DOCUMENTATION:

(1) Requiring Activity:

a. Requesting Activity

Corporate Communications

8899 E. 56 th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46079

Point of Contact: XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXX

b. Contracting Activity

DFAS Columbus

Contract Services Directorate

Building 21, Room 2B218

3990 E. Broad St.

Columbus, Oh 43213-1152

(2) Supplies or services being procured:

DFAS Corporate Communications is seeking software to manage customer service tickets received on corporate social media channels like Facebook. Software must allow twenty DFAS employees to receive and answer customer comments through tickets that can be routed for approvals through a customized workflow before they are posted onto the page. Software must provide knowledge management capabilities for users to search and use previously approved comments and content. Software should also allow DFAS users the ability to chat live with customers. Software should offer customized standards for reporting on effectiveness and efficiency of ticket resolution.

The contract will include a base year plus two option years. The estimated cost for the base period is

XXXXXX and the estimated cost for the total contract (base period and two one year option periods) is XXXXXX.

(Option periods are estimated at XXXXXXX a year).

(3) Reason that this is limited source procurement (i.e., proposed contractor's unique qualifications, etc.):

For the purposes of this requirement, the brand name is limited to Parature which will support the current software licenses. The maintenance must be provided by the original equipment manufacturer or an authorized reseller.

We are merely renewing licenses/maintenance and the cost of re-procuring license and implementing a new product would be costly and not in the best interest of the Government. In 2011, DFAS awarded XXXXXXX XXXXXX for social media management licenses. A portion of the total award, XXXXXXX, was an investment in implementation costs like customer service support, configuration, setup and training. If we remain with the same vendor, DFAS will not incur those costs, but if we purchase a different product we’ll be required to re-invest in implementation fees.

Consequently, the renewal of the existing product represents the most cost effective approach for DFAS, ensuring continuity of operations without interruption. If DFAS were to procure a different product, it would likely cost approximately XXXXXXX in implementation costs along with the product cost. The total DAS cost with a different product estimate at XXXXXXX fo rthe base period plus two option years at XXXX would result in a XXXX total cost.

(4) Market survey (indicate if any other firms were contacted or expressed interest):

Market research was conducted for the purpose of seeking as many potential sources as possible. Although

Microsoft/Parature Enterprise is the sole manufacturer and provider of the software, there are multiple distributors with the required software maintenance and support available on GSA FSS. An RFQ will be sent directly to XXXXXX on

GSA 8(a) Stars II utilizing the e-Buy RFQ tool. Competition will be limited to the 8(a) vendor XXXXXX. Market research has shown that the quote received by the distributor XXXXXX is available and competitive base upon contract history.

(5) Technical requirements personnel certification: I hereby certify that this justification is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I would not be making this request if it were feasible to fully compete this requirement. I further certify that this request is not the result of lack of advanced planning or a desire to expend funds while those funds are still available.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX

Signature DATE

XXXXXXX

XXXXX

(6) Price Reasonableness Determination: As stated in FAR 8.404(d), GSA has determined pricing for the required software maintenance to be fair and reasonable.

(7) Contracting Officer’s certification

I hereby certify that this justification is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Signature DATE

XXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX