Sole_Source_Redacted_2.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, 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. The USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) conducts a range of hydrologic investigation, some of which include the need of subsurface geology, to help characterize groundwater basins and aquifers.

3. Description of Supplies or Services. The California Oil, Gas, and Groundwater Program (COGG) has a need to determine the percent of weathered diatomite in the subsurface sediments of the alluvium and Tulare Formations and how it affects groundwater processes. The proposed awardee is Core Laboratories.

4. Estimated Dollar Value.

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. Core Laboratories LP is the only known local laboratory that is capable of providing all required and optional services. Other laboratories or geotechnical companies in the vicinity would need to ship samples to other locations for processing. Due to the nature of the core material and the required tests, transportation of the core and/or subsamples needs to be minimized. Movement of core and/or subsamples can disturb the material and alter the porosity, specific retention, and hydraulic conductivity, introducing error that would negatively impact the scientific integrity of the study. Additionally, shipping would increase the time required to receive the analysis and slow the decision-making process thereby negatively impacting the project objectives.

7. Other Information. N/A

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

RFI 140G0323Q0009 was posted for nine days on SAM.gov with no responses received. No other known firm is able to meet the minimum needs of the government as detailed in paragraph 6.

9. Future Plans to Permit Competition. This request is made with the knowledge that full and open competition should be solicited whenever possible. Future requirements for same/similar services will undergo market research and be competed to the maximum extent practical.

10. Recommendation and Certification from Program Office

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

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

11. Certifications from the Contracting Officer:

a. 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. The Government anticipates receiving a fair and reasonable price by basing it on one or more of the allowable options indicated in FAR 13.106(a)(2).

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

12. Approvals