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Justification for Other Than Full and Open

Competition, Extension

U.S. General Services Administration

GSA Region 07 Leasing

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

PROJECT NUMBER: 1AR2051

Agency Name: United Stated Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services

(USDA – APHIS)

1. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED.

The General Services Administration currently leases 5,303 ABOA/ 5,960 rentable square feet (RSF) of office space at 1200 Cherry Brook Dr Little Rock, AR 72211-4113 under lease number LAR16884 for the

USDA - APHIS. The current lease expires 4/30/2024. Approval is requested to negotiate a lease extension with the incumbent Lessor without full and open competition for continued occupancy at this leased location. The procedures for pursuing a lease extension are detailed in GSAR 570.405: Lease extensions.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

(INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE).

The government requires an extension of the current lease for 60 months / 36 months firm to commence on 5/1/2024. The estimated cost of this lease extension is $19.36 per rentable square feet per year for an annual cost of $115,385.60 and a total contract value of $576,928.00.

3. IDENTIFICATION OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This statutory authority is implemented through GSAR 570.405. In accordance with GSAR

570.405, use of the sole source authority is appropriate when the government experiences a delay in acquiring replacement space. The agency occupying the leased space is scheduled to move into other

Federally controlled space, but encounters unexpected delays in preparing the new space for occupancy

The government encounters unexpected delays outside of its control in acquiring replacement space

The government is consolidating various agencies and the contracting officer needs to extend the terms of some leases to establish a common expiration date

The agency occupying the space has encountered delays in planning for a potential relocation to other federally controlled space due to documented organizational, financial, or other uncertainties

4. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR

NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED.

It is in the best interest of the Government to remain at the current location during the extension period.

The government is consolidating various agencies and the contracting officer needs to extend the terms of this lease to establish a common expiration date. Award to other than the current Lessor would require relocation of the entire requirement and would cause USDA - APHIS to incur move and replication costs that would not be recovered through competition.

5. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS

MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE.

In accordance with GSAM 570.106(d) and 570.405, an advertisement is not required for extensions.

6. DEMONSTRATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE.

Recent market research conducted by the Lease Contracting Officer in Little Rock, AR showed the rental rate within the market area ranges from $15.00 per RSF to $24.00 per RSF.

Therefore, the anticipated rental rates for this lease extension of $19.36 per RSF, are within the current market range for this submarket and are deemed fair and reasonable by the GSA Lease Contracting

Officer.

7. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS.

On 10/13/2021, market research was conducted using CoStar. The market research showed the rental rate within the market area ranges from $15.00 per RSF to $24.00 per RSF.

8. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.

Remaining at the current location under a 60 month / 36 month firm extension avoids a holdover and allows the Government to continue operations without disruption.

9. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION.

N/A

10. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME

ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION.

In advance of an existing lease contract’s expiration, considerations will be given to allow for sufficient time to conduct a full and open procurement. The Government will consider the time and cost of moving from the existing location, and the time and cost to build out new space when deciding whether it is economically advantageous to stay at the existing building or to undergo a competitive action.

Additionally, consideration will be given to the customer agency’s mission and security requirements (if applicable) to include limiting any agency space requirements that may be deemed unduly restrictive and thus favor the incumbent. The Government will remain conscious of the effort to continuously encourage competition when practicable.

12. PREPARER’S TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION.

I certify that the supporting data used to form the basis of this Justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

__________________________________________ Date______________________

Carson Melom-Lemos, Leasing Specialist

See FAR 6.304 for appropriate signature threshold levels.

If Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) approval is required, must include signatures from Regional Contracting Director, Regional Counsel, and Head of

Contracting Activity (HCA). Use of a separate signature page is required.