Sole_Source_Justification_as_required_by_FAR_13_106-1b1_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

This proposed action will establish a new contract with Intera.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The PEST software ecosystem and suite of utility programs has many features supporting parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis for environmental models; these decision-support tools are used across the USGS. However, there are several workflow gaps in the toolset that need to be addressed to facilitate the advancement of Mission-Critical next-generation USGS modeling science.

The USGS Enterprise Capacity is creating a new suite of USGS hydrologic modeling software based on successful modeling codes within the USGS and elsewhere that is designed, tested, documented, and released using modern software libraries, modern software development practices, and modern hydrologic modeling approaches. Many of the codes within the ecosystem are currently dependent on PEST and associated proprietary utilities developed by Intera.

Additionally, these utilities, which are critical to the successful application of advanced analyses available in PEST and PEST++, are written in Fortran and thus must currently be compiled specifically for various operating systems. These codes also currently require a command-line usage, one that interrupts workflows and is a source of substantial user error that may compromise the quality of USGS science products.

The USGS seeks the modernization of PEST and associated utilities through advanced programming techniques in a flexible, publicly accessible deployment framework that systematically compiles Fortran (and other codes) that can be executed on multiple operating systems. An application programming interface (API) will be required to run these important codes through public, open-source programming languages that facilitate programmatic modeling workflow implementation, and also can streamline the input and output of the utilities, leading to more efficient and reproducible model-based analysis across the USGS.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. $200,000

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

The scope of this work will focus on the modernization of PEST and associated utilities through advanced programming techniques in a flexible, publicly accessible deployment framework. The USGS needs to eliminate the dependency of these model codes (PEST and associated utilities) that are proprietary and were developed by Intera. The proprietary nature of these codes prevents other entities from modifying, so this is the only source capable of providing the highly specialized described services at the level of quality required. As the proprietary owner and developer of the PEST suite of software, Intera has a unique combination of ownership rights, experience, expertise, and infrastructure needed to refactor the codes into a public domain.

7. Other Information. None.

8. The Efforts to Identify Additional Sources Including the Market Research Conducted.

Market research indicates there are no other organizations with ownership to the necessary software/code being considered. Intera is the sole developer and owner of these software codes;

Intera’s specialized expertise will be critical to adapt the utilities and associated development into USGS models through open-source repositories.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition.

USGS will continue to maintain the software/codes in the public domain. Future requirements for same/similar actions will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extent practical.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted on a sole source basis and certify the above statements are true and accurate.

John Brakebill, Deputy Director Water Mission Area, Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division ___________________________ ______________ <Program/Project Officer Name> Signature Date <Title>

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. Price reasonableness will be based on Intera Incorporated’s current and previous price list, and paid invoices.

b. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Approvals

Lisa D. Williams, Contracting Officer Date

JOHN BRAKEBILL

Digitally signed by JOHN

BRAKEBILL

Date: 2022.06.27 13:02:53 -04'00'

LISA WILLIAMS Digitally signed by LISA WILLIAMS Date: 2022.06.27 11:15:10 -06'00'

Annie M. Howard, Chief of the Contracting Office Date

Jennifer Kelley, Bureau Competition Advocate Date

ANNIE HOWARD

Digitally signed by ANNIE

HOWARD

Date: 2022.06.27 11:37:00 -06'00'