JA ASTM 2025_signed_Redacted.pdf

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ENERGY

8725 JOHN J. KINGMAN ROAD

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA 22060-6222

January 30, 2025 J&A Tracking Number: 25-0007

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Summary/Introduction:

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy, a component of the DLA, is the contracting activity and DLA Energy Quality (DLA Energy-DQT) is the requiring activity. The purpose of Solicitation SP0604-25-Q-0408 is to renew DLA Energy’s online subscription to ASTM International Standards (ASTM) for a customized collection of standards and test methods required for execution of DLA Energy’s mission. The resultant contract will include a base year from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and three option years from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029. The total estimated value of the action (with options) is . This firm-fixed price contract will use funds from fiscal year 2025. Justification for other than full and open competition is provided in 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (FAR 6.303-2(b)(2)):

This action is for the purchase of a subscription renewal with ASTM for a customized collection of standards and test methods. The purchase also includes standards and test method updates throughout the period of performance of the subscription that are required for the execution of DLA Energy’s mission. The standards provided by ASTM are utilized by DLA Energy-DQT for procurement planning, contract execution, and troubleshooting fuel quality issues in the field.

Additionally, Quality Assurance Representatives (QARs) use the training modules to familiarize themselves with test methods and techniques to perform those test methods properly on the product being used (i.e. diesel fuel, aviation jet fuel, etc.). The digital library offers DLA Energy- DQ historical testing methods, values, and archived information that is referenced in conjunction with DLA Energy-DQT’s voting rights for proposed new standards and testing methods within the industry. The ASTM subscription grants DLA Energy-DQT unlimited access.

The resultant contract will cover a base year from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and three option years from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029. This firm-fixed price contract will use funds from Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) for the base year. FY26, FY27, and FY28 funds will be used for the respective option years.

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (Cont’d)

(SP0604-25-Q-0408 – ASTM)

Compass Collection, platform portal access, eLearning Training, ASTM Digital Library, and the electronic toolbox are propriety information that can only come from ASTM.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are/were solicited from as many potential sources as is/was practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies (FAR 6.303- 2(b)(6)):

DLA Energy-FEAEA posted an intent-to-sole source notice, (SP0604-25-Q-0408), on December 17, 2024, via Sam.gov. The notice closed on January 02, 2025. No vendors responded to the notice.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)):

The Contracting Officer determines the quote offered by ASTM to be fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3 (a)(2)(iii), comparison of offered price with "current price lists, catalogs, or advertisements". ASTM provided DLA Energy’s Contracting Officer with the list price for the exact same offering to a non-Government organization. The chart below compares the proposed Government price to the commercial list prices:

This results in an overall price that is lower than the commercial price and equates to a discount for the same subscription.

Based on the information above, the Contracting Officer determines the prices fair and reasonable when compared to the list prices provided by the offeror.

8. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)):

Market Research was conducted by reviewing catalogs and available product literature provided by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers.

Most products procured for DLA Energy – DQ are controlled as Non-Government Standards (NGS), which are owned and maintained by ASTM International. Access to NGS is controlled through ASTM Compass membership. ASTM International, as the original producer of various specifications, is the only source able to provide specifications at price. Although third-party re-sellers are permitted to distribute ASTM International standards, they do so only with the

(SP0604-25-Q-0408 – ASTM)

approval of ASTM. Due to the proprietary nature of the membership, ASTM is the only source available for the required membership.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)):

On December 17, 2024, DLA Energy-FEAEA posted an intent-to-sole source notice on Sam.gov (SP0604-25-Q-0408), which closed on January 2, 2025. No vendors responded to the notice resulting in no additional competition to meet this requirement.

(i) Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competitor have not been developed or are not available.

Not applicable.

(ii) When 6.302-1 is cited for follow-on acquisitions as described in 6.302-1(a) (2) (ii), an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived.

Not applicable.

(iii) When 6.302-2 is cited, estimated cost, or other rationale as to the extent and nature of the harm to the Government.

Not applicable.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)):

DLA Energy-FEAEA posted an intent-to-sole source notice, (SP0604-25-Q-0408), on December 17, 2024, via Sam.gov. The notice closed on January 02, 2025. No vendors responded to the notice.

11. Actions that may be taken to remove or overcome barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services are required (FAR 6.303-2(b)(11)):

There are no known actions that will allow DLA Energy to overcome the competition barriers for this requirement. Third-party re-sellers are permitted to distribute ASTM standards, with the approval of ASTM. However, the Custom Compass Collection, platform portal access, eLearning Training, ASTM Digital Library, and the electronic toolbox are propriety information that can only come from ASTM.

(SP0604-25-Q-0408 – ASTM)

I hereby certify that the data which forms the basis for this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I hereby certify that the data which forms the basis for this justification is accurate and complete and that the purchase request covers only the minimum requirements to satisfy the needs of the Government.

I have reviewed and concur with this Justification.

Approved: