Sole Source Justification_68HE0820F0079_1.pdf

Justification for Limiting Sources Reference FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B)

1. Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Contracting Activity: Region 8, Acquisition Management Unit

2. Requisition No./Contract Number: PR-R8-20-00188

3. Recommended Contractor: Gold Systems, Inc.

4. Nature and/or description of the action: A five (5) year task order consisting of a base plus four (4) option years to host the Ambient Water Quality Management Systems (AWQMS) database as well as provide the technical support and assistance services related to supporting that website.

5. Description of the Supplies or Services: Providing a platform to host the AWQMS website as well as the technical support for users ensures tribes in Region 8 can continue to upload water quality data to the site that has been utilized for the past ten (10) years.

This water quality data ensures the tribes are in compliance with grant requirements, sharing all results collected under CWA 106 funding and publishing into EPA’s Water Quality eXchange (WQX) via the AWQMS website.

6. Valuation: [Redacted for publication]

7. Statutory Authority: FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) Limiting Sources

8. Describe how the contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited: AWQMS is proprietary in nature and must be serviced and maintained by the manufacturer, Gold Systems, Inc. In addition to publishing data to WQX, this system utilizes hosting a service that includes hardware (web server and database server), database licenses, access to data, graphs and reports, server maintenance, nightly backup of data, and the ability to provide future system upgrades and enhancements. For the past ten years, Region 8 tribes have been loading their data to this proprietary system and are familiar with the process and have access to technical support, if needed, from the contractor. Additionally, the AWQMS website meets EPA’s data entry and security requirements.

9. Describe the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable: Due to the proprietary nature of the website and the need to have it serviced and maintained by Gold Systems, this task order is being sole sourced to the vendor under their GSA schedule. The service of hosting AWQMS includes the costs of maintaining and managing the database, and other required activities needed to ensure that AWQMS functions properly.

10. The contracting officer determines that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable because a complete analysis of all costs using audits, commerciality, previous history, or other appropriate means will be fully utilized prior to award.

It is anticipated that the pricing offered by Gold System in response to the RFQ will be in accordance with its GSA schedule rates, and that the Contracting Officer will review the rates proposed to ensure they are in-line with approved GSA rates. In addition, the COR will review the level of effort proposed to ensure it is appropriate for the scope of work and in-line with the government estimate. Lastly, the vendor performed these services for the EPA R8 for the past five years and that task order will serve as a point of reference in the CO’s determination of a fair and reasonable price.

11. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10). If no market research was conducted, state the reasons:

No market research was conducted due to the proprietary nature of the website that requires it to be serviced by the manufacturer.

12. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

Although this requirement will not be advertised under full and open competition, Gold Systems, Inc. is a small business. Therefore, this procurement will support EPA Region 8’s small business goals.

13. List sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. If no sources expressed an interest in writing, indicate such.

Gold Systems, Inc.

14. Include 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.

Should there be a replacement of the AWQMS website due to upgrade and/or change in functionality or interface with EPA’s WQX, the platform for this data management may change in the future. Such a change in the host site could potentially open this requirement to other vendors.

15. Technical Officer’s Certification

I certify that the facts and representations stated in this justification are complete and accurate which form the basis to award this requirement.

(Signature)

Name and Title: __Tina Laidlaw, Contracting Officer’s Representative__ Phone Number: ___406-457-5016_______________ Email: __laidlaw.tina@epa.gov____________________ Date: __07/23/2020______________

(Signature)

Digitally signed by Laidlaw, Tina Date: 2020.07.23 13:55:29 -06'00'

16. Contracting Officer’s Certification:

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

(Signature) Name and Title: K. Maria Houston, Contracting Officer

Phone Number: 303-312-7022 Email: houston.maria@epa.gov

Date: 07/23/2020

17. Approval IAW EPAAG 1.6.1A:

__X Approve ______Disapprove

(Signature) Name and Title: _Sarah A. Clemmens, Region 8 Acquisitions Team Lead___

Phone Number: _303-312-6350__ Email: clemmens.sarah@epa.gov Date: __07/23/2020__________ elief.

(Signature)

SARAH

CLEMMENS

Digitally signed by

SARAH CLEMMENS

Date: 2020.07.23 13:58:00 -06'00'