Sole Source Justification Dodge - Signed.pdf

USCB Sole Source Justification Page 1 of 5 Dodge Construction Network Data

RFQ # 1333-26-1898

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

For Dodge Construction Data

In accordance with GSAR 538.7104-3 and CAM 1306.70

Order Title: Dodge Construction Data

Solicitation Number: 1333-26-1898

Contractor: Dodge Construction Network, LLC

Period of Performance: September 11, 2026 through September 10, 2030

Place of Performance: U.S. Census Bureau, Suitland, MD

COR: Sean Kinn

Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity

The U.S. Census Bureau, Acquisition Division (1333LB).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved

The purpose of this procurement is to acquire Dodge construction data. Specifically, the following three-monthly products: “Monthly Project Lifecycle Database”, “Monthly File of Construction data”, and the “Monthly Basis Statistical Bulletins.”

The period of performance includes a twelve-month base period from September 11, 2026, through September 10, 2027, with three optional twelve-month periods from September 11, 2027, to September 10, 2030. The overall estimated value of the order is $2,226,186.48.

3. Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The Census Bureau has three different surveys that measure the construction sector of the economy, the Value of Construction Put in Place series (VIP), the Construction Sector of the Economic Census (CSEC), and the capital expenditures content covered by the Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES). The VIP series provides monthly and annual estimates of the value of construction work done on all projects underway, such as residential, non-residential and non-building projects, during the month.

The data is prepared for direct entry into the gross domestic product (GDP) and is used extensively by other Government agencies and the private sector. The measurement of the VIP involves a family of surveys and data sources designed to compile the value of work put in place for each classification of construction. Classifications of construction are based on ownership and/or primary use of the project or complex of structures on a property. Construction is defined as the building or site fabrication of permanent structures and facilities including additions, alterations and major replacements, but excluding maintenance and repairs. The VIP is the aggregate of materials, labor, overhead and profit charged to a construction operation including the value of architectural and engineering services associated with the construction operation.

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The statistics on the VIP result from direct measurement and indirect estimation. A series results from direct measurement when it is based on reports of the actual value of construction progress or construction expenditures obtained from complete records or sample surveys. All other series are developed by indirect estimates using related construction statistics.

4. Authority and Supporting Rationale

This procurement was taken pursuant to the authority of GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(ii) – Only one source is capable of providing the products, services, or solution required at the level of quality required because the products, services, or solutions are unique or highly specialized.

The data acquired via this acquisition are the most critical input to the Census Bureau’s Value of Construction Put in Place Survey (VIP) - one of the 12 Principal Federal Economic Indicators (PFEI) produced in the Economic Directorate. This data will identify construction projects and include information on features of projects throughout the construction lifecycle and be sufficient in scope to serve as the ongoing monthly frame of new non-residential construction projects. Non-residential projects are sampled from this frame for the monthly indicator. Without this data, the monthly VIP PFEI cannot be produced; the production and publication of PFEIs including VIP are governed under OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 3. Failing to produce a strictly-scheduled, closely-watched, monthly PFEI not only harms the reputation of the Census Bureau, but the Department of Commerce as a whole. Data users and the American public will recognize this as an unprecedented disruption to the publication of the economic indicator and also lose trust in quarterly estimates of Gross Domestic Product (produced by BEA) that rely on VIP estimates as input.

The frame data and support services provided by Dodge Construction Network, LLC., meets a critical need for the Census Bureau ensuring that there is no disruption to the consistency, comparability, or quality of the VIP principal federal economic indicator. Given the highly sensitive nature of PFEI such as the VIP, the Census Bureau, and Office of Management and Budget policies require consistent execution of the compilation and release of these series including methodology, sampling frames, data sources, analysis, and dissemination. Because the entire historical VIP PFEI time series has been developed and maintained with a consistent source for frame data (scope, coverage, core data items, delivery cadence, and supporting project characteristic data), it is imperative that the source of frame data going forward is completely aligned with these historical periods. The use of non-comparable frame data would result in non-comparable time series estimates (i.e., a “break”), severely undermining the value of and trust in the PFEI. Therefore, it is imperative that the source of frame data for the VIP PFEI going forward be provided by the Dodge Construction Network, LLC.

5. Contracting Officer Determination of Best Value

Rates listed on the Dodge Construction Network, LLC., GSA Schedule have already been deemed fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative, and the technical team will perform an evaluation of the quotation received via the solicitation, and seek any additional discounts to the Federal Supply Schedule rates. In addition to ensuring technical compliance with the solicitation, the team will also compare the prices to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and historical acquisitions for these data products. Based on this approach, a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated price to the government will be fair and reasonable and provide the best value to the government will be documented in the memo for award.

6. Market Research

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Market Research was conducted and documented in accordance with RFO FAR Part 10 in support of this procurement. Market Research for this procurement consisted of a review of the following:

1. Historical acquisition information

2. Knowledge in procuring services of this type

3. SAM.gov

4. Review of the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract

5. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) tool was utilized to identify small businesses potentially capable of providing the required data.

The government published request for information/sources sought notice on SAM.gov to gather information on the availability of commercial datasets. That notice (1333-HK-0010) was published on March 06, 2026 with responses due date of March 24, 2026, and resulted in the submission of responses from five companies. None of the responses indicated the capability to provide an alternative dataset to that which is available from Dodge Construction Network, LLC.

Based on market research, the Government determined that Dodge Construction Network, LLC., has a valid GSA MAS contract, has a valid entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), and was not on the excluded parties list.

In the interest of continuing the Value of Construction Put in Place series at the required level of quality per GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(ii), no other sources can be considered for this procurement as it is in the Government’s best interest to issue a task order to Dodge Construction network, LLC.

7. Other Facts Supporting the Justification

Not acquiring the required data from Dodge Construction Network, LLC would result in the Census Bureau being unable to produce the monthly VIP Principal Federal Economic Indicator as noted in section 4 above. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is charged with the designation and oversight of PFEIs with Statistical Policy Directive No. 3 (SPD3) providing this description of PFEIs:

Statistical series that are widely watched and heavily relied upon by government and the private sector as indicators of the current condition and direction of the economy must meet high standards of accuracy and reliability. Because such data series have significant commercial value, may affect the movement of commodity and financial markets, or may be taken as a measure of the impact of government policies, public release must be prompt and according to an established, publicly available schedule. The purpose of the procedures outlined in this directive is to assure that these data series meet specific accuracy, release, and accountability standards.

SPD3 requires all PFEIs including VIP to announce release dates for the entire upcoming year approximately 6 months in advance. This means that VIP release dates for October 2026 and beyond are already published by OMB and the White House, and SPD3 requires Census to meet these established dates. Failure to acquire the required data from Dodge Construction Network, LLC, would result in considerable reputational harm to the Census Bureau as it would not be able to meet the release dates as required by OMB. Furthermore, the VIP PFEI serves as a critical input to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s (BEA’s) quarterly estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Any lapse or discontinuation of the VIP PFEI would result in a critical disruption to this key economic measure (which is also covered by SPD3), and therefore result in substantial reputational harm not only to Census Bureau, but also to BEA and the Department of Commerce overall.

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Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Economic Directorate utilizes this data to improve the production of key economic data products, including the Value of Construction Put in Place Survey and the Survey of Construction. By leveraging privately generated data, the Census Bureau has reduced respondent burden on businesses, filled data gaps due to nonresponse, and delivered more granular and timely information to support local communities and businesses. These alternative data sources are also essential for providing more accurate and relevant measures of the economy during a time of national economic transformation. This approach represents a forward-thinking investment in statistical quality, efficiency, and responsiveness to national economic needs.

8. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition

The Census Bureau has recently established a Commercial Data Acquisition Team (CDAT) that is focused on the acquisition of commercial data for all areas of the Census Bureau. The CDAT has already conducted one Request for Information/Sources Sought notice on SAM.gov to gather information on the availability of commercial datasets. That notice (1333-HK-0010) was published on March 06, 2026 through March 24, 2026 and resulted in the submission of responses from five companies. None of the responses indicated the capability to provide an alternative dataset to that which is available from Dodge Construction Network, LLC., via their GSA MAS contract. The Economic Directorate will continue to perform ongoing market research to identify potential alternate sources of data that meets all of the government’s technical requirements. Additionally, subject matter experts from the Economic Directorate attend frequent industry events and conferences and are continuously attempting to identify alternate sources.

Technical/Program Certification:

Of my knowledge, I hereby certify that the facts and representation of technical data that form the basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.

Sean Kinn Date Contracting Officer’s Representative U.S. Census Bureau

9. Certification from the Contracting Officer:

As Contracting Officer, I hereby certify that the Sole Source Justification for this requirement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Harjot Kaur Date Contracting Officer U.S. Census Bureau

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10. Activity Competition Advocate:

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this Justification does not exceed $15M, this review serves as approval.

Samantha Brady Date Operating Unit Competition Advocate U.S. Census Bureau