Sole_Source20180816132255.pdf

U.S. Department of Justice

Executive Office for United States Anomeys

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

STMPLIFIED ACQUISITION $I5O,OOO AND TINDER

Requisitio Solicitation/Conract number:

Brief description of supply or sewice:

Company name and DUNS or address; or, Brand name:

MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTANT SERVICES

MELISSA HODGES MEDIA LLC (DUNS:0E1331814)

ruSflFICATION

Thc panicular brand name, producq or feature is essentisl tb the Govemment's requirements. Msrkcl rescarch indicates other companies' similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet

{ or cannot be modified to meet, the agcncy's needs. Competition is not required per 4l U.S.C. 3304(aX I ).

Therc is only one rcsponsiblc source and no other supplies or services will saris$ agency requirement.

_ Compctition is not rcquired pcr 4l U.S.C.3304(axl).

The necd for thc supplies or scrvices is ofsuch an unusual and compelling urgency that the Fedcral Govemmcnt would be seriously injured unless the number ofsources solicited is limited. The contract period will not cxcced thc timc necessary to mect the unusual and compelling requirement oftbc work to be performed under thc conhact. The contract period will not exceed the time necessary to enter into another contract for the rcquired goods or services rhrough thc use ofcompctitivc proccdures. The conFact pcriod

_ will not exceed one year. Comp€tirion is not rcquircd pcr 4l U.S.C. 33M(aX2).

The Procurement will b€ mad€ through anothcr executive agcncy or from a specificd source lhat is expressly _ authorized by $anne. Competition is not required per 4l U.S.C. 3304(aX5), and:

_ 18U.S.C.4124. Award will be madc to Fcd.ral Prison lndustries (t NICOR).

_ ,14 U.S.C. 501-504, I l2l. Award will be madc for Govemment printing and Binding.

_ l5 U.S.C- 657a. Award will be made under the HUBZone Acr of 1997.

_ 15 U.S.C. 657f Award will be made under thc Veterans Benefits Act of2003.

Disclosurc ofthe agcncy's needs would compromise the national s€curity. Competirion is not required per 4l U.S.c. 33M(aX6).

Other, as cxplained hcre:

APPROVAL

Requesting Official This justification is to the b€st ofmy knowledge and belief.

Signature:

Printed Name and Title: s Contrscting Officer In accordance with FAR 13.106-1, based on thejustification provided above I have determincd that the circumstances of action only one source reasonably available.

Signature: Da,e: Btrul lr

Sowce Seleclion lnformarion - See FAR 2.101 ond 3.101.

(AuBUsr20l5)

Printed Name:

U.S. Department of Justice Utited Stotes Atlornq, Micldle District of Georgia

August 13, 2018

Sole Source Justification

Melissa Hodges, Melissa Hodges Media, LLC, 2510 Daylor Court, Albany, Georgia3l72l, is the recommended sole source for contract award for media relations assistant services for the

Middte District of Georgia. She has unique community experience with diverse populations, credibility with law enforcement entities, govemment agencies, the general public, the media, and expertise in developing comprehensive outreach strategies targeting local constituents, desigring training and implementing effective community based programs within the Middle District of Georgia.

Ms. Hodges received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Prior to media consulting, she was an award-winning television joumalist. She shongly believes in community service and has volunteered with non-profits across the state. Her goal both through her work and personal life has been to make Southwest Georgia a better place for all citizens to live and work.

Ms. Hodges has been the voice of major commrurity and regional news events in the Southwest Georgia area. During her most recent tenure at WALB news in Albany, Georgia (2015-2018) as lead anchor, her team won awards for their breaking news coverage during the 2017 tomados and storms that devastated the region. The Associated Press and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters recognized her team's reporting efforts for Best Overall Coverage and Bteaking News. Ms. Hodges co-anchored an annual Military Special, focusing on the contributions and sacrifices of regional military, which was nominated for multiple Emmys and eamed an Emmy.

Her team also won AP awards for their breaking news coverage ofthe deaths of two Sumter

County law enforcement officers, killed in the line of duty in 2016. Because of her experience in the television news business, she has developed invaluable local, state and federal law enforcement contacts as well as community leaders, non-profit organizations, media groups and the general public.

As a media relations assistant for the United States Attomey, this contractor shall devise and execute a strategy to effectively use radio, television, print and social media to educate the community about USAO and the Departrnent ofJustice initiatives to prevent and combat violent crime, the opioid epidemic, fraud on the govemment and other criminal and civil priorities of the

USAO and the Dspartment. By publicizing the efforts of the USAO and the priority programs of the Department (such as Project Safe Neighborhoods, opioid initiatives and elder abuse initiatives), the media relations assistant shall play a critical role in deterring criminal conduct and raising public awareness ofthe types of criminal and fraudulent activities in the community.

Publicizing the work of the USAO also strengthens the relationship between the USAO and

Sole Source Justification August 13,2018 local, state and federal law enforcement by publicly rccognizing the hard work of our law enforcement partners.

Backsround

October 5, 2017, Attomey General Jeff Sessions arurounced several Department of Justice actions to r€duce the rising tide ofviolent crime in America. Foremost ofthose actions is the reinvigoration of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a program that has been historically successfi.rl in bringing together all levels oflaw enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In annormcing this rccommitment to Project Safe

Neighborhoods @SN), the Attomey General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.

In addition to PSN, President Trump and Attomey General Sessions have tasked U.S. Attomeys with assisting in launching a national awareness campaign about the dangers of opioid abuse.

The President's goal is to reduce opioid prescriptions by one-third in three yea$.

,,President Trump has a comprehensive plan to end lhis national public heolth emergency.

He wanls to improve our prevention efforls by launching a national awareness campaign dbout tlte danget of opioid abuse. He has set the ambitious goal of reducing opioitl prescriptions by oke-third in three years, And he is a strong supporler of our law enforcement etforls. We play a key role in the Ptesident's plan - becaase law entorcement is crime ptevention loo,"

In response to the Attomey General's new PSN and Opioid Initiatives, U.S. Attomey (USA)

Charles E. Peeler will launch a comprehensive outreach strategy, including a District-wide awareness campaign, for PSN and Opioid Outreach Initiatives' These litigation and crime prevention initiatives are among USA Peeler's top priorities and will require additional outreach support beyond what is presently available. ln order to provide the critically important outreach design, training, implementation, and evaluation work supporting these initiatives, USA Peeler has requested a contract for the services of a media relations assistant as an immediate funding priority. To support the litigation and crime prevention initiatives, the position will be located in Albany, GA. Furthermore, the overall timeline for this comprehensive effort is estimated at three years with the first year dedicated to engaging the community and designing the outreach strategy.

Outreach Program:

While other contractors would require a considerable amount of time to identifr key stakeholders and establish relationships with law enforcement entities, govemment agencies and local media, Ms. Hodges could begin work immediately as she has already developed the necessary relationships. This would result in a significant increase in the amount of time that could be spent designing a comprehensive outreach program, providing training, implementing initiatives, and evaluating program success. Having already established trust with the community is a huge advantage for the contractor. For example, sometimes, it is difficult and time consuming for an

August 13, 2018 outside source to establish the necessary trust and credibility with law enforcement officers, school administrators, community directors, non-profits, and other govemment agencies.

Ms. Hodges already has local credibility with unrestricted access that will allow her to have an immediate impact.

Market Research:

In conducting our market survey, the District identified only one contractor with an established credibility with media, law enforcement officers, community partners, non-profit organizalions, school administrators, and other governrnent agencies and has the proven experience to design, train, implement, and evaluate the success of a comprehensive community outeach progmm.

The specified contactor has the unique ability to make a positive impact from the first day.

Cunently, due to workload and the need fot short-term results, it is not feasible, nor cost effective, for the Law Enforcement Coordinator to perform these additional duties or spend valuable time guiding and developing a contractor with no credibility, contacts, and experience in working with these constituents. Likewise, the amount of time required to effectively produce and evaluate results would be far too great.

The District does not have adequate staffing resources to develop and coordinate a comprehensive outreach program to meet the Attorney's General agenda for PSN and Opioids Initiatives. The District conducted market research to determine if services could be provided through a Federal Supply Schedule vendor. Various schedules were reviewed. While a specific labor category was not defined for this need, a few categories had similarjob duties but did not meet the District's specihcjob requirements and lack local media credibility, established contacts, and proven experience ofproviding a comprehensive community outreach program.

Furthermore, Federal Supply Schedule labor rates greatly exceeded the District's anticipated budget constraints for this service, which must also include money lbr expected travel.

Independent Government Estimate (l.G.E.):

(Prices checked on 8/13/18)

Forfeiture Support Associates - GS-07F-0412V Labor categories: GSA labor rate:

Senior Records Examiner/Analyst $67.65 per hour @1920 hrs: $129,888.00 Senior Technical Writer $64.58 per hour @1920 hrs. : $123,993.60 Technical Writer I $52.21 per horr @ 1920 hrs. : $100,243.20 Ardent Technologies, Inc. - GS-07F-172GA Labor categories: GSA labor rate including IFF:

Records Examiner/Analyst $123.43 @1920 hts = $236,985.60 Technical Writer same as above

Ideal Innovations, Inc. - GS-07F-0046X Labor categories:

Analyst I - IV

GSA labor rate including IFF:

$75.69 - $125.13 per hour @1920 hl.s - $1 4s,324.80 - $240,249.60

As a result of the number of drugs and guns crimes coming into the USAO on a weekly basis and the insufficient PSN and Opioid outreach program to address crime prevention, it is in the best interest of the Government to pursue this contract non-competitively, providing an opportunity to efficiently achieve the mission of the USAO.

Price Reasonableness Determination

FAR 12.209, 13.106-3

The District had a similar reentry and community outreach coordinator to support two community outreach initiatives; Smart on Crime and the Re-Entry program in the Middle Georgia area.

The current requirement requires the services of a media relations assistant to develop and maintain a community outreach program dedicated to the PSN and Opioid initiatives in the

Middle Georgia area. Due to the critical nature of the development and implementation of these two programs, it is imperative that the contractor possess established local contacts with law enforcement, media, community groups and the public in southwest Georgia including but not limited to Macon, Albany and Columbus, GA.

. Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases and Administrative Officer's personal knowledge of the item being purchased:

Research Component:

o Reference: DJJ-16F-USA20-0019, Forfeiture Support Associates, LLC (GS-07F-

96745) Cost: $21 1,831.20 (Base plus 2 option years)

Purpose: Community Outreach Coordinator contractor to support two community outreach initiatives The FY 16 contract has similar but not the same outreach deliverables and objectives. Price reasonableness determination on file.

Required Assessment Pursuant to OMB's M-17-22 Analytical Framework

Contractor: Media relations assistant, Middle District of Georgia

,/ | Core Function This requirement directly supports the core function of the

U.S. Attomey's Office (litigation and crime prevention) by providing ongoing support to the Criminal, Civil, and

Appellate Divisions. At present, the core litigation and cdme prevention support functions provided by this contractor are not being met by government employees or other contractors.

Sole Source Justifi cstion

Essential Service U.S. Attomey Charles E. Peeler has deemed this requirement as mission-essential to provide immediate litigation and crime prevention support reliefto the

Criminal, Civil, and Appellate Divisions - Middle District of Georgia.

Appropriate Federal Role Historically, contractors have served a critical role in supporting the U.S. Attomey's Oflice's mission and filled necessary gaps when permanent employees could not sustain additional duties without jeopardizing services.

Services Not Duplicated U.S. Attomey Charles E. Peeler is requesting immediate reliefas no permanent employee or existing contractor is available to meet this liligation and crime prevention support requirement.

Sincerely, CHARLES E. PEELER

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

S.D. Vaughn

Administrative Officer