Limited_Sources_Justification_NICS_Training_signed.pdf

Limited Sources Justification

(i) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited-Sources Justification.”

This is a Limited Sources Justification from the USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

(ii) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA APHIS intends to award a delivery order to Human Technology, Inc. (HTI) under GSA Schedule GS-10F-0152J as a follow-on order to an initial follow-on order (AG-6395-D-16- 0548) and an original order (AG-6395-D-14-0524) that was competed and awarded to the best value offeror in September 2014.

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

In preparing for and responding to emergency incidents, APHIS incorporates the National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles and processes into its incident management procedures and plans. All incidents are managed utilizing ICS as outlined in NIMS. This requirement is to develop or modify and deliver virtual ICS courses, traditional classroom ICS courses, MAC Group and MAC Support Staff training, develop APHIS specific exercises, and provide administrative support, as needed, to provide targeted APHIS personnel, with a sound understanding of APHIS responsibilities under the NIMS and how to successfully manage actual incidents or events. The training material shall include APHIS and/or Agricultural scenarios within its content. This content shall include but is not limited to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives, and Foreign Animal and Plant Disease. All training will be an approved FEMA version, and will result in a participant certification of completion recognized by FEMA. The new delivery order consists of one 12-month period, not-to-exceed a total order value of $975,000.00.

(iv) The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

Per FAR 8.405-6(a)(i)(C), this is logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order (AG-6395-D-14-0524) that was previously competed with an e-buy solicitation. HTI has since gained the relevant experience to design and deliver FEMA recognized NIMS courses developed with APHIS-specific examples to train AHPIS National Incident Management Team members.

APHIS Emergency Response staff have invested considerable time in working with HTI, and it is not reasonable to spend additional time and resources bringing an alternative contractor up to speed to development and deliver these courses.

(v) A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

A best value evaluation was conducted during the prior competitive solicitation, and HTI was considered to have the best value offer. Line item pricing going forward includes acceptable annual increases.

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

A prior e-buy solicitation was posted and seven offers were considered.

(vi) Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

(viii) A 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.

The USDA APHIS will continue to review the work required and will consider issuing another competitive solicitation once the new delivery order expires after 12 months.

(ix) The ordering activity contracting officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Name: Michael Chiodi Title: Contracting Officer

MICHAEL CHIODI Digitally signed by MICHAEL CHIODI Date: 2018.07.30 16:42:14 -05'00'

(x) Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for limited sources) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Program Technical Point of Contact Name: John Canaday Title: National Program Manager, EMSSD

(xi) For justifications under 8.405-6(a)(1), a written determination by the approving official identifying the circumstance that applies.

Per FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C), I concur that this is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order that was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order was not previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

Approving Official Name: Larry Nelson Title: Competition Advocate