Redacted_J&A.pdf

(4) Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), One source or limited sources.

(5) Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The subject procurement is being made in accordance with the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a). This subscription package is currently being utilized by DLA Aviation providing Demand Planners/Inventory Management Specialists, Technical and Quality Specialists, and Contract Specialists unique features to perform their duties. The unique features of ILS include the following:

• Extensive US Government Procurement History – View Procurement History sources and prices for current and historic NSNs and instantly link to suppliers who have the needed item in stock.

• On–site Supplier Inventory Reviews – Inventory reviews are conducted by ILS personnel periodically. Vendor quality is a substantial issue within the Government supply system, and ILS is the only company that vets their suppliers for accuracy and quality. Vendors are chosen randomly for reviews. ILS field staff review several companies per month. If the vendor's physical inventory does not match what is listed on ILS, they are given 30 days to rectify the situation, or are removed from listing on ILS.

• Trace and Certification – ILS has implemented a program with suppliers to show real time inventory by integrating into supplier supported date fields. Additional data fields include options to provide trace information, certification data, a purchase icon or other fields selected by the vendor.

• Training – ILS provides on–site and or WebEx training at no additional cost to the customer.

• Boeing Inventory – As a Boeing–owned subsidiary, ILS provides Boeing inventory listings that cannot be found through any other subscription than ILS.

• GIDEP (Government and Industry Data Exchange Program) Data – ILSmart has an interface to GIDEP with daily updates. GIDEP reports include suspected counterfeit reports, product change notices, part failure/reliability analysis, End of Life notices, and other reported part data managed by GIDEP.

Users are able to view these reports as they do part searches.

• Turbolink – The ability to link directly to IHS/HAYSTACK. HAYSTACK is a logistics tool used by engineers and logisticians in researching parts to be used in repair and production applications.

HAYSTACK helps the user determine what part to use, ILSmart will tell the user what vendors have current stock. The IHS/ILSmart Turbolink can improve productivity as less time is lost logging in between the two systems. Turbolink is unique to ILS.

• Government Suppliers Listing Program (G–listers) – ILS vendors meeting specific requirements to Government buyers may G–list. Inventory meeting these requirements are displayed at the top of

Government buyer searches. Some G–listers are commercial, and some are branches of the military listing surplus stock. These requirements include:

1. Companies have a CAGE Code, are currently SAM registered,

2. Accept Government credit cards,

3. Guarantee that their material is new or new surplus,

4. Ability to ship within 72 hours of accepted contract.

5. 8,400 DOD users at more than 75 bases worldwide

6. 65,000,000,000+ Inventory items listed

• Inventory Updates – All standard inventory listings must be updated every 30 days. G–listers are required to update stock within 72 hours of a sale. All inventories not properly updated are so marked at 45 days, and removed from ILS listings at 60 days.

• Message Broadcasts – Postings for urgent part requirements on parts which may not be in the database, or announcement of special items for sale, disseminated to 10,000 customers immediately.

This is a no charge item to DOD subscribers for this tool. There is a per line charge to the commercial customers.

• Manufacturing Capabilities – ILS offers approved manufacturers a way to list parts that are not currently on the shelf. This inventory is indicated by an “M” beside the part number and “MFG” in the quantity field. Manufacturers that have Parts Manufacture Approval (PMA) may display “PMA” in the quantity field.

• Cross Referencing – Clients can search the ILS database using Manufacturers Part Numbers, NSNs, NIINs, Mil–Specs, or model numbers. ILS can increase the power of the search by automatically searching for related numbers simultaneously, thus increasing the likelihood of find a solution. Cross reference sources include:

1. US NSNs – NSN and Reference Numbers

2. NATO NSNs – NSN and Reference Numbers

3. PMA – OEM Part Numbers and alternate approved PMA Part Numbers

• Overhaul Database – Over 630 Licensed facilities approved by the FAA, CAA, and/or JAA.

Overhaul items are so indicated on a part number response. This enables buyers to find additional sources.

• Company Verification and Profiles – Every company on ILS is verified before being allowed to become a member and is periodically reviewed. Clients can search company information of 4,000 suppliers to review types of products sold, serviced and manufactured, predicated on type of company, company name, lines carried, and part type. Clients can click on company name to retrieve profiles when looking at inventory listed.

• Government Research Tool – Provides unlimited search capability to multiple US Government data sources. Allows for detailed search filters and provides detailed NSN information in a simple single page format.

• NATO Part Number Integration –

1. NSNs codified by countries other than the United States.

2. Includes list of countries using the NSN.

3. Reference part numbers related to NSNs.

4. Includes certain logistics codes.

5. CAGE code detail information.

Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is 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:

No sources, other than ILS, expressed interest in providing internet subscription access for DLA-AVN.

The Contract Specialist ensured widest dissemination of the Sources Sought posting on FedBizOpps, posted 10 May 2018 with a closing date of 16 May . No queries were received in response to the request for information.

A synopsis published on FedBizOpps as it m et exception FAR 5.202

A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The Contracting Officer determines the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable, and that the resulting contract represents the best value to the Government, by comparing proposed prices to historical prices paid for the same or similar supplies.

Description of market research conducted and results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

In accordance with DFARS PGI 206.302–1, the contracting officer posted a request for information notice to FBO on _10 May 2018_ which closed on _16 May 2018_. The results on the RFI include the following:

No queries were received in response to the request for information aside from ILS acknowledging the posting via voicemail 11 May 2018.

The program office conducted online market research and held discussions with other Government activities/customers/end-users who were highly satisfied with the ILS Smart website flexibility because it met the Government’s essential mission critical requirements, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company because of the unique features such as the Procurement History files with over 30 years allow Government employees the ability to view procurement history sources and prices for current and historic NSNs and instantly link to suppliers who have the of 6

Trace and Certification Database, Government Suppliers Listing Program, Overhaul Database, NATO Part Number Integration, Boeing Inventory and other databases mentioned and detailed above.

Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

At this time, ILS remains the sole source available from which the Government can obtain the full spectrum of necessary subscription features. Without all of these features, the ability for DLA Aviation customers to perform would be impaired. Loss of this subscription would impact backorder reductions along with obtaining the correct parts for the customer’s needs and safety.

Listing of sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition:

Inventory Locator Service (ILS)

Actions, if any, the agency will take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, DLA has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, DLA will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

Previous actions noted to limit barriers to competition included exploring through market research and FedBizOpps postings, which were completed via the 2018 market research and the sources sought posting from May 2018 undertaken for this requirement in the pre-solicitation phase.