Signed FORME 12 Point JOFOC Sole Source.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

PR NB135000-23-01453

FY 2023 - FORME Premier Co-Sponsorship Package – MEP National Network Forum Sole Source Justification

FAR 13.501

Date: 06/16/2023 Subject: FY 2023 - FORME Premier Co-Sponsorship Package – MEP National Network Forum

I. Contracting Activity.

This justification for Other than Full and Open Competition is executed by:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management Acquisition Management Division 100 Bureau Drive MS 1640 Gaithersburg, MD 20899

II. Nature and/or Description of the action being approved.

The purpose of the September 2023 MEP National Network Forum (MEPNN Forum) is to provide a venue for training, development, sharing best practice and networking for MEP Centers, NIST MEP staff and MEP stakeholders. The Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence (FORME) will organize programming informed by MEP Centers and NIST MEP subject matter experts. MEP Centers and NIST MEP staff will participate in training and workshops to share best practices and successful processes and programs to assist the MEP National Network’s mission of strengthening and empowering U.S. manufacturers, including the programming to encourage adoption of improved technologies, expanding supply chain mapping, pivoting manufactures to support critical industries, and to develop new products that respond to changing market needs. The MEPNN Forum will also include networking opportunities for MEP Centers, NIST MEP staff and MEP stakeholders to learn from Network leaders, outside experts and other similar programs to share proven strategies and increase understanding of the U.S.

manufacturing ecosystems.

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

Supporting the MEPNN Forum with a Premier Co-Sponsorship allows for NIST MEP to ensure the attendees will have NIST MEP tailored programming targeted at improving the strength of the MEP National Network to better serve manufacturers and manufacturing ecosystems cross the country. The Premier Co-Sponsor package includes:

• Selection of up to three keynote speakers

• General session led by the Director of NIST MEP

• Selection and facilitation of up to 50% of event content

• Complimentary meeting space and meeting support for the MEP Advisory Board

Meeting

• Exclusive conference event meeting space for ad-hoc meetings

• Up to 20 complimentary registrations

Supporting the MEPNN Forum with a Premier Co-Sponsorship allows for NIST MEP to ensure the attendees will have NIST MEP tailored programming targeted at improving the strength of the MEP National Network to better serve manufacturers and manufacturing ecosystems cross the country.

The total contract value is $250,000

IV. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 USC 1901 Only One Responsible Source FAR 13.501

V. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence (FORME), a subsidiary of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, and the trade association working with MEP Centers, will host a conference in Buffalo, New York from September 11 -14, 2023. Only FORME the organizer of the meeting can offer sponsorships at the conference.

VI. A description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

A sole source notice and sources sought notice was posted to SAM.gov on June 1, 2023, with a response due date of June 10, 2023, stating that the Government intended to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), for Premier Co-Sponsorship at the FORME MEPNN Forum to be held on September 11 -14, 2023.

VII. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable.

AMD will determine that the price to the Government will be fair and reasonable prior to award.

VIII. A description of the market research conducted (see part 10) and the results or statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

A sources sought notice was posted to SAM.gov on June 1, 2023, with a response due date of June 10, 2023, stating that the Government intended to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for Premier Co-Sponsorship at the FORME MEPNN Forum to be held on September 11 -14, 2023. One vendor responded to this notice. The vendor’s capabilities were reviewed and determined that they could not meet the

Government’s requirement since they could not provide the Premier Co-Sponsorship at the FORME MEPNN Forum.

The staff of NIST MEP participates in various events that focus on all aspects of manufacturing throughout the year. These events include both federal and public organizations. Various sponsorship packages have been reviewed for these events. It was determined that none match the exact audience targeted (the MEP National Network) or offer the essential benefits of the Premier Co-Sponsorship package for the MEPNN Forum.

The MEPNN Forum brings together staff from NIST MEP, 51 MEP Centers, the MEP Advisory Board, regional partners, and MEP stakeholders to improve the MEP National Network’s capabilities in supporting clients by sharing best practices, trends, and current and emerging needs of U.S. small and medium manufacturers.

Other events were reviewed via web search and email correspondence, as planning for this event took place. The list below includes a sample. None were found to have the targeted audience in attendance or allow for the programming that the MEPNN Forum Co- Sponsorship delivers with the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence.

• International Manufacturing Technology Show

• Industry Week Manufacturing & Technology Conference & Expo

• ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

• Association for Manufacturing Excellence Annual

• Annual America’s SBDC Conference

• SelectUSA Investment Summit

• Women in Manufacturing Summit

• APLU - Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

No other organization has an event that targets the MEP National Network Center leadership and practitioners. NIST leadership up to and through the NIST Director has approved the detailed package outlining the co-sponsorship for 2023. The value offered by this co-sponsorship includes the allowance of NIST MEP staff to provide a portion of the programming for the MEPNN Forum and the MEP Advisory Board Meeting portions of the program.

X. A list of sources, if any, that expressed in writing, any interest in the acquisition.

Corporate Event Architects

XI. A statement of the action, if any, the agency make take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

NIST will ensure that any additional market research, as necessary, is conducted before any subsequent contracting actions are undertaken. If appropriate alternatives are identified that would create a competitive environment, NIST will undertake appropriate action to maximize competition.

XII. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION:

I hereby certify that this justification is made in good faith and the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Signed:

Autumn Hernandez

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

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

Signed:

Robert J. Singman, Contracting Officer