Redacted_SSJ_Politico.pdf

June 18, 2019

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN

COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL ACQUISITION

REGULATION (FAR) 13.5

On the basis of the following justification, I, as level above the Contracting Officer (CO), hereby approve the use of a sole source proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C.

1901 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) FAR 13.501(a).

Procurement Request Number: PR-OA-19-00097

1. Agency and contracting activity: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Acquisition

Solutions (OAS), Headquarters Acquisitions Division (HQAD), Simplified Acquisitions and Laboratory Supplies Branch (SALSB) proposes to enter into a sole source contract with Politico, LLC under simplified procedures for certain commercial items included in FAR subpart 13.5.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved as a sole source under procedures for certain commercial items in accordance with FAR 13.5: This is sole source justification (SSJ), excluding brand name, for Politico Pro subscriptions/news publication with Politico, LLC. Politico Pro is used by Agency management to stay abreast of news that affect the agency. We plan to solicit Politico Pro directly. The contemplated contract type is a single award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) task order contract with fixed rates at a firm-fixed-price (FFP) for the subscription services. This will result in a new contract award versus an amendment to an existing contracting vehicle. The subscription services are commercially available as it is a commercial item as defined in FAR 2.101. This sole source is with the following source:

Politico, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd, 8th Floor Arlington, VA 22209 DUNS No.: 079168780

3. A description of the supplies and/or services required, including the delivery schedule and/or the period of performance (inclusive of all option periods), and the estimated dollar value of the acquisition: This acquisition will acquire subscription services to an online news publication that provides 24 hours a day access to news and events that will keep the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) abreast of current news and events affecting the EPA. To provide in depth and timely coverage of environmental issues, specifically EPA regulations, and has the highest quality reporting on how states and Congress are responding and adapting to these regulations as access to minute-to-minute news coverage from specialized policy reporting teams; the daily budget and appropriations process; early bird morning newsletters; and calendar of events and speakers and the most up-to-date and in-depth coverage on policy areas such as Agriculture, Campaign Pro, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, eHealth, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Employment and Immigration, Tax, Technology, Trade, and Transportation on a platform that is flexible and user friendly.

The total estimated value of this acquisition is $699,320.00 based on the following:

Period Period of Performance Estimated Value Base Period 06/20/2019 to 06/19/2020 $0000 Option Period 1 06/20/2020 to 06/19/2021 $0000 Option Period 2 06/20/2021 to 06/19/2022 $0000 Option Period 3 06/20/2022 to 06/19/2023 $0000 Option Period 4 06/20/2023 to 06/19/2024 $0000

4. The statutory authority permitting sole source: In accordance with FAR 13.501(a), the is action is being carried out under the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901.

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority: EPA intends to award a sole source purchase order to Politico, LLC. Politico Pro is a subscription service that provides individual customizable access to minute-to-minute news coverage from specialized reporting teams. The subscription provides access to in-depth coverage of environmentally focused stories, a calendar of events and an interactive community of community and sector leaders. Specifically, regarding the following policy areas: Agriculture, Campaign Pro, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, eHealth, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Employment and Immigration, Tax, Technology, Trade, and Transportation.

A subscription news service like Politico PRO helps us accomplish this goal by: 1) Providing up-to-the-minute updates on environmental related actions 2) Providing commentary that displays multiple opinions from multiple parts of our constituency 3) Providing access to documents and statements by other groups and Congressional offices 4) Providing information about and coverage of events that are taking place outside the Agency.

Together this information better equips the Agency communications and staff to respond to inquiries and to have an understanding of public reactions to activities within the Agency. Politico PRO provides a unique concept and capability by not only providing compelling and informative content that spans a comprehensive breadth of policy areas, but also delivering it in a way that is accessible and easy to use. While there are many news services out there that cover environmental issues, Politico PRO packages them in a way that others do not (e.g., up-to-the-minute email breaking news alerts, minute-by-minute coverage of external EPA events, morning and afternoon newsletters, Capitol Hill coverage). Politico PRO is unique in that it also does not provide too much content and analysis, which many other services provide. It is first and foremost a news agency, not an analytical organization, and as such it provides information in an unbiased and accessible way.

Therefore, it is concluded that the service Politico PRO provides is highly specialized and is not offered, in this format and breadth, by any other vendor/source.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers/quotes are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized in FEDBIZOPPS (as required by FAR 5.2) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies: In accordance with FAR 13.501(a), this justification will be made publicly available on the Government point of entry using FedBizOpps within 14 calendar days after contract award as required and pursuant to FAR 6.305(a).

A notice of intent to award sole source was posted on FedBizOpps and FedConnect on 06/19/2019 under identification no. 68HERH19Q0089 to ensure offerors are solicited from as many potential sources as possible.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/05.htm#P56_9651 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/05.htm#P67_10794

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable: The anticipated dollar value of this action is $699,320.00 (inclusive of all options), as the pricing reflects negotiated discounts. Based on the market research analysis, the pricing is determined to be fair and reasonable based on prior acquisition history and prices paid for the same services.

Therefore, the contracting officer determines that the anticipated firm-fixed-prices are fair and reasonable based on historical data and by signing the justification.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or the reason market research was not conducted: The Government surveyed mandatory sources, best in class (BIC) contracts, governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs), GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), existing Agency contracting vehicles, and conducted internet-based searches. Based on the Government examination of the market and commercially available services for online news subscriptions services that provide the real-time, in depth and breadth of policy coverage, there is only one (1) source to fulfill the government’s needs. The market research did not produce any other sources, other than the selected sole source, that can provide news subscription service that offers real-time coverage on the body of topics and news reporting environment, immediacy and relevancy of breaking news, which is meaningful to functions the Agency. The breadth of topics covered includes policy areas such as Agriculture, Campaign Pro, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, eHealth, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Employment and Immigration, Tax, Technology, Trade, and Transportation.

The subscription must also be accessible via Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook.

Specifically, Politico, LLC has one of the largest rosters of reporters, which allows them to keep subscription users informed and at the forefront of news reporting. Politico Pro also offers individual customizable access to minute-to-minute news coverage. Only Politico, LLC and its unique Politico Pro subscription fulfills all the Government’s requirement news.

A notice of intent to award sole source was posted on FedBizOpps and FedConnect on 06/19/2019 under identification no. 68HERH19Q0089 to ensure offerors are solicited from as many potential sources as possible.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of sole source: None, not already aforementioned.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition: As of the date of this justification, the Agency has not received any expressed written interest in the acquisition. However, if any sources express interest as a result of the posting of this justification after award and within the specified timeframes and submission requirements, then the Agency will consider the submission(s).

11. A statement of any actions the agency will take to remove or overcome any future barriers to competition: The barriers to competition are not created and/or controlled by the Government through its requirement needs, interaction with industry, and/or terms and conditions, as this sole source is a direct result of commercially available service products. However, the Government will continue to closely monitor the changing market conditions to find service products to fulfill the Government’s requirement needs.

CERTIFICATION

Acquisition Initiator:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance that are included in this justification and that form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

Signatures available on file June 19, 2019 .

Michael Quarles Date Office of the Administrator (OA)

Contracting Officer:

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

Signatures available on file June 19, 2019 .

Rayna Brown, Branch Chief, Contracting Officer Date

OAS/HQAD/SALSB

Reviews and Approvals

Senior Official:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance that are included in this justification and that form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate. Since this effort exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold but does not exceed $700,000, this certification serves as approval.

Signatures available on file June 20, 2019 .

Keith Stewart, Director Date

OAS/HQAD

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS JUSTIFICATION ARE TO BE REFERRED TO:

Rayna Brown brown.rayna@epa.gov Subject Email: 68HERH19Q0089 No telephone calls will be accepted or returned.

mailto:brown.rayna@epa.gov