Redacted SSJ.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

PROCEDURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), the following facts and rationale justifies the basis for a noncompetitive contract.

1. I recommend that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) use other than full and open competition for the renewal of two (2) group license subscriptions:

American Banker Group Access for up to 100 users and the National Mortgage News (NMN) for up to 50 users. The total price, including four (4) one-year options is $742,675.41.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved. FHFA intends to award a sole source firm-fixed-price contract to Source Media, LLC, One State ST Plz Fl 27, New York, NY 10004-1561. The period of performance for the contract is five years (one-year base plus four (4) one-year options).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs. FHFA requires access to established publications that cover regulatory information and news while providing alerts and summaries of key stories from many major financial news sources.

The American Banker Premium Group Access includes:

American Banker All-Access Digital Subscription Real-time news and analysis On-demand thought leadership library Full suite of specialized newsletters Access and special offers for virtual and in-person events like

Payments Forum, Digital Banking, The Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference, Small Biz Banking as well as the Leaders forum, an on-demand channel where senior voices share perspectives on business-critical issues

Original research reports Weekly industry datasets Print Versions of the American Banker Magazine (9 issues)

The National Mortgage News Group Subscription includes:

Real-time news and analysis On-demand thought leadership library Full suite of specialized newsletters Access and special offers for virtual and in-person events Original research reports Exclusive MortgageStats data Print versions of the National Mortgage News Magazine (8 issues)

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), FAR 13.501(a)

5. A demonstration that the proposed Contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited (for sole source acquisitions; also required for unusual and compelling urgency where more than one offer will not be solicited). Source Media’s publications provide unique analysis and reporting in the financial industry that cannot be obtained through any other sources. The publications are under copyright and real-time electronic access to the publications is only available through Source Media LLC. American Banker has both third party (non-exclusive) and original (exclusive content). NMN has original (exclusive content). The Source Media’s original reporting, research and associated data, video and audio content are all proprietary for both publications.

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

however, these group licenses subscriptions are not available on GSA. This requirement was publicized on December 6, 2022, as required by FAR 5.2 on the Contract Opportunities Website (www.SAM.GOV).

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

Government will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer will use historical data from previous purchases and published prices to determine that the price is fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. The Contracting Officer consulted GSA and also the SAM.GOV Website. During the market research the Contracting Officer discovered that other financial agencies (Security Exchange Commission, Bureau of Fiscal Services, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) have purchased these subscriptions on a non-competitive basis. On December 6, 2022, a Notice of Intent to Sole Source this requirement was http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ posted on the Contract Opportunities Website (www.SAM) and no responses were received.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. None

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. No other sources expressed an interest in this acquisition.

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. FHFA will continue to review with established publications to promote competition on any subsequent acquisitions for similar supplies or services. established publications that cover regulatory information and news

CERTIFICATIONS

I certify that this justification is accurate and contains complete data necessary to support the recommendation for other than full and open competition.

12-30-2022 /S/ Date REDACTED

Contracting Officer’s Representative Office of Budget & Financial Management

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer’s knowledge and belief. Also, I hereby (1) determine the circumstances cited as the statutory authority apply to this action, (2) determine the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable, and (3) approve this action.

12-30-2022 /S/ Date Carmen G. Rios

Contracting Officer

I determine that this submission is legally sufficient to justify the basis for a noncompetitive contract award.

12-27-2022 /S/ Date REDACTED

Associate General Counsel Office of General Counsel