Sole_Source_Justification_-_EOP_USTR_Clarkson_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION

UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (SAT)

FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCT OR SERVICE

AUTHORITY: RFO 12.102(a)

140D0426C0882

1. Contracting activity/agency.

Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), The Executive Office of the President, U.S. Trade Representative

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs.

The mission of the Executive Office of the President (EOP) Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is to develop and coordinate U.S. policies with regard to international trade, commodities, and direct investment to the extent it involves international trade. The agency also oversees all trade negotiations with other countries and monitors and enforces U.S. rights under our trade agreements.

USTR requires a Clarkson Research Subscription to access the Shipping Intelligence Network and World Fleet Register to complete mission critical trade data analysis.

3. Identification of the single source to be solicited.

Clarkson Research Limited (UEI: W94PNK61J8E8) Karunesh Ratnam-Evans Krunesh.ratamn-evans@clarksons.com

4. Basis for Single Source Determination.

The Contracting Officer has determined that only one source reasonably available.

Urgency – The nature of the requirement has been deemed urgent and following competitive procedures would result in an unacceptable delays.

Exclusive licensing / proprietary data

Brand-name requirement – The particular brand name is essential to the requirement and requirement and market research indicates similar products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet agency needs. If the justification is to cover only the portion of the buy which is brand name, then it should so state; the approval level requirements will then only apply to that portion.

Compatibility with existing equipment/system (form, fit, function)

Direct replacement (parts/components)

Other (explain):_______________________

Solicitation No. 140D0426Q0882

5. Detailed Rationale.

Similar services are readily available in the commercial marketplace. However, there are no identical subscription databases. Based on market research completed by government, Clarkson Research Limited is the industry standard source of data, analysis, and forecasts needed to conduct research on the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries, and including specific information on China's shipbuilding and supporting industries. Data, analysis, and market forecasts contained in Shipping Intelligence Network and World Fleet Register are only available from Clarkson Research Limited.

6. Market Research.

Market research activities included the following actions:

The Program Office conducted market research to find vendors that offer similar subscription services.

However, no identified vendors provide the niche maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries data required for USTR to complete mission critical analyses. The methodology utilized in the collection, storage, indexing and reporting of this data is proprietary to Clarkson Research Limited.

Additionally, a notice of intent to sole source was posted via Sam.gov on August 15, 2026 and provided interested vendors to submit a capability statement. The notice closed on August 31, 2026 and no responses were received.

7. Certifications.

Under the authority of RFO 12.102(a), the undersigned hereby determines the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source is reasonably available as supported herein.