SSJ - DEI Strategic Planning 2022_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

National Agricultural Library (NAL) Acquisition and Property Division (APD) Administrative and Financial Management (AFM) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) USDA - Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

2. Estimated Dollar Value:

3. Anticipated Period of Performance:

Base Period of Performance – August 15, 2022 – August 14, 2023

4. Does the anticipated Period of Performance include option years? If no, explain.

Yes, the anticipated period of performance for the option is August 15, 2023 – February 15, 2024

5. Sources Sought Notice posted to Contract Opportunities and attached to this document?

☒ Yes ☐ No

Sources Sought Notice was posted to Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov on 7/15/22 for six days. Nine responses to the sources sought notice were received; however, all but one of these responses were found to be lacking the expertise in diversity, inclusion, and equity and consultants with a master’s degree in library science which are required to meet the requirement as detailed in the posted statement of work. One vendor met the required skills and experience; however, they do not have access to the completed climate assessment report and data.

In 2021 and early 2022, the National Agricultural Library (NAL) completed a 9-month climate assessment, consisting of a proprietary survey, eight focus groups, multiple facilitated small-group discussions, and relationship-building costing nearly $40,000. This information is the foundation of the strategic planning work. Awarding this contract to a new organization would require NAL to repeat the climate assessment process, causing a financial burden to NAL and requiring the government to pay to duplicate work that has already been completed.

6. Market Research conducted and attached to this document? If not, explain.

Yes - Market research was conducted by posting a source sought notice on SAM.gov and searching FAR 8.002 Priorities for Use of Mandatory Sources.

7. Is this a new requirement or a follow-on to an expiring award?

☐ New requirement ☒ Follow-on to an expiring award

8. Describe the requirement. Please note that the requirement is the minimum acceptable specification or capability and is not necessarily the best in the industry. Please note whether any additional follow-on work is anticipated in response to the current proposed effort.

This requirement is for a certified diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm to initiate and complete a 3 year strategic plan, facilitate meetings, lead training and review digital content for National Agricultural Library (NAL).

Due to the unique needs of libraries, NAL seeks a single solution to assess library policies and the diversity of the print and digital collection. In conjunction with USDA priorities on diversity and equity, NAL must reflect the public communities we serve and provide quality services to their increasingly diverse constituencies.

Over the past six months, our current DEI contractor completed an in-depth and complex climate assessment, including a survey, focus groups and trainings for NAL. We now plan to use this propriety data to create a 3-year strategic plan. The current contractor has the necessary library and agricultural background and experience to complete this work, prioritizing NAL, ARS scientists and research, and our public customers.

9. List the proposed vendor and contact information.

Strategic Diversity Initiatives Anne Phibbs, PhD., President and Founder 2829 39th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55406

Ph: 612-599-8335 E-mail: anne.phibbs@strategicdi.com

UEI: K8JLCTC7DWH3

10. Describe why the proposed vendor is the only vendor from which the requirement can be obtained. Examples of acceptable justifications include but are not limited to: sole manufacturer and seller, adherence to warranty provisions, urgency, proprietary data, etc.) If other vendors can provide similar products or services, describe why they cannot meet our particular requirement.

Strategic Diversity Initiatives, Inc. is a certified LGBTQ – and Woman-owned consulting firm with 25 years of experience providing world class education and consultation around diversity, equity & inclusion. SDI recently completed NAL’s climate assessment using a proprietary survey and information gathering methods. SDI will now use that proprietary information to create a strategic plan. While other vendors offer similar services, they are not library and agriculture experts. Additionally, another vendor would not have access to the current climate assessment data and would need to initiate an entirely new climate assessment process, which can last four to six months, and would force NAL to repeat the assessment project just completed.

KIRSTIN NELSON Digitally signed by K RST N NELSON Date: 2022.07.27 15:24:02 -04'00'

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

MANDATORY TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENTS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Simplified Acquisitions

Certifications

Supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel and which form the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Kirstin Nelson Law Librarian Date

The information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine the circumstances described above deem only one source, or limited sources, reasonably available and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated in this document.

Mark Ryan Andrews Contracting Officer Date

MARK ANDREWS Digitally signed by MARK ANDREWS Date: 2022.07.27 16:08:10 -04'00'