Part 8 Limited Sources JA_Over SAT Unison_Redacted.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Limited Sources Justification

For an Order/BPA Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

FAR 8.405 Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) Multiple Award Schedule Program

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

1a. Requesting Activity Agency: Procurement Systems Division (PSD) 1b. Contracting Activity: Procurement Operation Division (POD)

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

USDA proposes to issue a sole source Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) order on a firm fixed-price basis with Unison Software, Inc. (GSA Contract 47QTCA19D00EP) for the acquisition of commercial PRISM software licenses. PRISM is proprietary commercial software developed and owned exclusively by Unison Software, Inc.

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

The requirement is for commercial PRISM software licenses (perpetual and/or PaaS term licenses), annual software maintenance, and related modules as listed in Unison’s GSA MAS price list. PRISM is USDA’s enterprise contract writing system used to support mission-critical procurement and financial transactions. The estimated value for the base period and four (4) option periods is listed below:

4. Identification of the authority for limiting sources.

The following circumstance justifies limiting the source under FAR 8.405-6:

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services requried at the level of quality required.

5. Supporting rationale demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

PRISM is Unison Software, Inc.'s proprietary acquisition and grants management solution. The intellectual property, source code, and all rights to PRISM are owned solely by Unison, and no other vendor is authorized to provide licenses and software maintenance.

6. A determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer (CO) that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

Unison’s GSA MAS price list and proposed prices are fair and reasonable, as they are pre-negotiated under the GSA schedule and available to all Federal customers. The order represents the best value to the Government, considering price, technical requirements, and continuity of operations.

7. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research included reviews of GSA Advantage, schedule holder catalogs, and web searches. No other schedule holder offers PRISM licenses or maintenance. Unison Software, Inc. is listed as the manufacturer and sole source provider for PRISM to the Federal Government. No alternate products or vendors can meet the agency’s requirements.

8. Any other facts supporting the justification.

PRISM is deeply integrated with USDA’s business processes, financial systems, and regulatory workflows. Transitioning to another system would require extensive reengineering, retraining, and would jeopardize ongoing procurement operations. Unison’s licenses and maintenance are essential for operational continuity.

9. A statement of actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

PSD will continue to monitor the market for alternative solutions. Additionally, administration mandates require reevaluation and consolidation of procurement functions and systems necessitating a full analysis of viable alternatives to unify procurement processes and potentially allowing for competition for future requirements.

Certifications & Approval

Supporting data which form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Rick Toothman Division Chief, Procurement Systems Division (PSD)

The information contained in this Limited Sources Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jenna Highfill Contracting Officer

RICHARD TOOTHMAN

Digitally signed by RICHARD

TOOTHMAN

Date: 2026.01.28 10:25:54 -05'00'

JENNA HIGHFILL Digitally signed by JENNA HIGHFILL Date: 2026.01.28 09:34:49 -06'00'

Additional Reviews & Approvals

Signatures are required at each threshold up to the total estimated dollar value of the acquisition

Advocate for competition for the procuring activity (if over $750,000, but not exceeding $15 million). I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Therefore, unless additional approvals are required as prescribed below, as advocate for competition for the procuring activity/COCO, I hereby approve this justification. If required, my approval constitutes clearance for submission to the Head of the Procuring Activity.

Josh Tafoya Title: Chief of the Contracting Office (COCO) Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition

JOSHUA TAFOYA Digitally signed by JOSHUA TAFOYA Date: 2026.01.29 10:47:42 -07'00'