LIMITED-SOURCES_JUSTIFICATION_signed_9-7-11.docx

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Cincinnati Procurement Operations Division

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES: The U.S. EPA, Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Transportation and Regional Programs Division (TRPD), 1310 L Street, Washington, DC, has a requirement for National Clean Diesel – American Recovery and Reinvestment Grant Evaluation. This acquisition will be conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program as outlined in FAR Subpart 8.401.

To meet the Transportation and Regional Programs Division’s minimum research needs, the US EPA intends to issue a task order under GSA Schedule contract GS-10F-0221J, with Systems Research and Applications Corporation (SRA) for support in 1) evaluating the National Clean Diesel Campaign’s (NCDC) American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) grants, 2) identifying and analyzing the actual emissions attributable to ARRA-funded projects, and 3) analyzing the environmental results and benefits of different types of ARRA projects.

The intended task order consists of the evaluation of the completed National Clean Diesel ARRA grants. Information gathered through these evaluations shall be used by the contactor to assist EPA to further enhance future Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants through database improvements and streamlined functions. The estimated value of this requirement is $225,000.00.

STATEMENT OF FACTS JUSTIFYING LIMITED SOURCE AWARD:

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), the following information is provided to justify a limited source award:

1. Describe the circumstances that may justify restricting the requirement to one source

a) only one source is CAPABLE of responding due to the UNIQUE OR SPECIALIZED nature of the work, As the focus on reducing emissions across the country has grown, the ability to accurately track the benefits of the National Clean Diesel American Recovery and Reinvestment projects, as well as other DERA grants, has become more critical. Previously, EPA had tasked SRA with creating a tool to assist in the quantification known as the Diesel Emissions Quantifier (DEQ). In the last few months, SRA has made significant changes to the DEQ’s user interface. Those significant changes have not yet been made a part of DEQ capabilities available to external users. In addition, SRA continues the work to update the DEQ under an existing contract/work assignment. As a result, in order to ensure that the National Clean Diesel ARRA information resulting from this task order is accurate and correct it must be based on the most current version of the DEQ. SRA is uniquely qualified to provide the technical support is needed to complete this work.

SRA also maintains and updates the Database for Reporting Innovative Vehicle Emissions Reductions (DRIVER), DRIVER is the internal NCDC database used to track all aspects of these grants. SRA is uniquely aware of TRPD’s critical tracking and monitoring responsibilities as well as new and yet-to-be-released upgrades. In the coming months, upgrades will continue to be made to the database that will affect the way users input and analyze emissions data (which is a key output of this task order). SRA is uniquely qualified to consolidate these multiple source information into the DRIVER database.

Information gathered through this task order is expected to highlight the cost effectiveness and emission reduction benefits of the NCDC ARRA projects.

In summary, SRA is uniquely qualified to analyze and evaluate the National Clean Diesel ARRA grant information using the most current version of the DEQ based upon its knowledge of DRIVER’s analytical capabilities. These unique capabilities are essential for contract performance because they ensure the absolute most current, accurate, reliable DEQ data will be used to measure the emission benefits gained though the National Clean Diesel ARRA grant projects. Systems Research and Applications Corporation is the only known GSA Schedule contractor meeting the Government’s minimum needs.

PROJECT OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION. As the Project Officer for this requirement, I certify that the above-identified technical requirements which form the basis for this Limited Source Justification are accurate and compete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION OF BEST VALUE. In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), it is determined that the proposed task order represents the best value to the Government. GSA has already determined that the price of the system is fair and reasonable. Additionally, the prices proposed by the contractor will be compared to those of similar activities performed by the contractor for EPA.

MARKET RESEARCH. A market survey was conducted of the GSA Schedules. The market survey did not identify any other contractors having systems that could satisfy the minimum needs of the Government.

STATEMENT OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME BARRIERS.

This requirement specific to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not anticipated to require any future acquisitions; however, if it should the finalization of the aforementioned databases should allow the potential for other firms to be considered.

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION. As the Contracting Officer for this requirement, I certify that this Limited-Sources Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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