Special_Notice_P15PS00325.pdf

Description: This publication serves as notice of intent to procure the design and implementation of a habitat enhancement study related to the endangered Island Marble butterfly at American Camp of San Juan Island NHP, Washington State, on a sole source basis from Dr. Amy Lambert. This procurement is for the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b), which states “Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available”.

This Notice of Intent is not a request for Expressions of Interest (EOIs), proposals, or quotations. No solicitation document exists and no telephone inquiries will be accepted. No contract award will be made on the basis of EOIs, proposals, or quotations received in response to this notice; however any firm that believes they have capabilities to provide this requirement may give written notification to the Contracting Officer at sarah_welch@nps.gov. All comments received before 9:30 am PT April 10, 2015, will be considered. A determination by the government regarding whether to compete this procurement will be based on responses to this notice and is solely at the discretion of the government.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $3,000 AND UP TO $150,000 (See FAR 13.106-1)

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost): Island Marble Butterfly Habitat Research

The National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other interested partners have developed a strategy and implementing work plan to outline actions to be taken within San Juan Island National Historical Park in support of the recovery of Island Marble butterfly (IMB), a threatened species. The work plan addresses key issues critical to Island Marble butterfly conservation and will protect, increase, enhance, and functionally connect IMB habitat within San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH).

In 2014, Dr. Amy Lambert designed a research project to enhance suitable IMB habitat. Starting in spring 2015, NPS will implement the project; this contract for scientific research support services is an integral part of the overall restoration project as it will document IMB use of and responses to changing habitat. NPS will be the overall restoration project coordinator, primary funder, and beneficiary of the research. NPS will schedule paid staff, volunteers, and youth crews to perform the physical aspects of habitat restoration called for in the research protocol, such as hand-pulling vegetation, planting seeds or seedlings, applying herbicide, and installing temporary fencing to keep deer out.

The scientist/contractor, Dr. Lambert, will perform field work, scientific discovery, analysis, and mapping, and provide the raw data and a report of findings at the end of each contract year (this contract will be awarded as a base year with up to four option years that may be unilaterally exercised by NPS). If all option years are exercised, the final annual report will incorporate knowledge gained during each of the previous contract years. It will present a longer-term perspective on the overall project success and include a discussion of the five research hypotheses in Lambert’s original research proposal.

The contract price will be firm fixed price, lump sum, for each contract year. We expect each contract year to cost between $15,000 and $25,000 depending on the number and nature of scientific tasks; total cost is expected to be less than $125,000.

2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

___x__ Only one responsible source.

______ Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met.

______ Other _____________________________________________________ Dr. Amy Lambert has been studying IMB population dynamics and habitat at SAJH for almost 11 years (see attached CV). She earned Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees based on IMB research at SAJH. While there may be other scientists with general knowledge of the plant ecosystems, phenology, and/or IMB conservation at SAJH, Dr. Lambert’s depth of expertise and site-specific knowledge make her uniquely qualified to serve as the scientist/contractor for this habitat restoration and enhancement project. Dr. Lambert has many insights into the behavior of this species and has the ability to predict habitat needs associated with the population. There are currently only 100 or fewer of these butterflies left in the wild. We believe employing the foremost expert on IMB biology is crucial to its continued existence.

3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest.

The Contracting Officer (CO) consulted the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database for NAICS codes 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services and 541620, Environmental Consulting Services. A search for keyword “butterfly” found no matching firms.

The CO also reviewed price lists and capability statements of federal supply schedule contractors at GSAAdvantage under Special Item Number 66-1000, Professional Scientific Services. Only three contractors are listed, based in GA, FL, and UT. None are expected to have IMB expertise; two solely perform laboratory analyses. The hourly labor rate for the one firm listing a Ph.D. biologist is $74. Our price estimate for Dr. Lambert is comparable or lower.

Prepared by: /s/ Jerald Weaver, Project Officer 3/18/2015

4. If this is a determination for sole source, the Contracting Officer certifies:

a. Only one source is available, or urgent and compelling circumstances exist.

b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).

/s/ Sarah J. Welch, Contracting Officer 3/18/2015 /s/ Rodney J. Roberson, Delegated Assistant Bureau Competition Advocate 3/25/2015

Response Due Date: 04/10/2015

Contact: Sarah J. Welch, Contracting Officer

Contact Email Address: sarah_welch@nps.gov