WMATA_Justification_and_Approval.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION – WMATA SmartBenefits Program

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity

The National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Acquisition and Cooperative

Support (DACS) is extending an existing Purchase Order through use of a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition for continuation of Washington Metropolitan

Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Transit Benefit program.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved

NSF intends to extend an existing transit benefits program via modification with

WMATA under Purchase Order NSFDAS17P0005 through April 30, 2018. NSF is requiring an extension of the purchase order in effort to assess agency employee rider totals and cost per rider for transit benefits due to agency Headquarters relocation form

Arlington, VA to Alexandria, VA. NSF believes an extension through April 30, 2018 is adequate time to assess how the agency relocation is impacting the number of staff requiring transit benefits while developing a longer term strategy for a follow-on agreement. An extension of the Purchase Order will fulfill an existing need of the

Government through April 30, 2018.

3. A Description of the supplies and or services required to meet agency needs

WMATA SmartBenefits is a program that permit NSF to pay for passes/fare, and parking within the Washington, DC and surrounding areas commuter region. WMATA automatically delivers SmartBenefits (fare) to participating NSF employees through use of a registered SmartBenefits card to cover some costs for commuting options such as but not limited the WMATA Metro Rail system and busses, the Maryland Area Regional

Commuter (MARC) Train, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Maryland Transit

Administration (MTA) Commuter bus, and van pools. SmartBenefits are available to registered NSF employees for commuting options from their homes to work and vice versa.

An estimated cost for this purchase order extension is $450,000.00 for NSF to maintain the SmartBenefits program with WMATA throughout the extension period.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304

(a)(1), as implemented in FAR Part 6.302-1. WMATA is the only responsible source that can provide widespread transit services and satisfy agency requirements without unacceptable delays or interruption to staff daily commutes. WMATA’s SmartBenefits program is the only program in the region that offers seamless transition between multiple modes of transportation across multiple jurisdictions, while permitting NSF to independently manage its budget and funding for commuting employees.

5. A Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited

The NSF Transit Subsidy Program is mandated by Executive Order 13150 and the

Transportation Equity Act For the 21st Century. No other entity is capable of implementing a seamless and widespread regional SmartBenefits program.

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

This procurement action is for a one-time extension via modification of the existing

Purchase Order NSFDAS17P0005. NSF is in process of assessing a longer term agreement for transit benefits services prior to Purchase Order expiration.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable

The total dollar value of this Purchase Order extension is $450,000.00 and was determined to be both fair and reasonable by the Contracting Officer using price analysis techniques and based on WMATA’s established pricing.

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

Market research revealed that WMATA is the only entity capable of meeting NSF

SmartBenefits transit needs. No other entity, in whole or in part, can effectively institute and widespread and seamless Smart Benefits program to meet NSF rider needs.

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

NSF intends to conduct further analysis of the agency SmartBenefits program to include:

i. Asses SmartBenefits use, due the agency’s recent relocation from Arlington, VA to Alexandria, VA. At the present, NSF will determine the appropriate future procurement vehicle, which would warrant a long-term use for the SmartBenefits program.

ii. WMATA is mandated by the E.O. 13150 to provide transit benefits services as established under the SmartBenefits program for the Washington Metro Area.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition

N/A

11. A Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required

The agency has taken no further action to overcome barriers to competition based on information as indicated in this document.