Tab 37 Pathfinder Limited Sources Justification (LSJ)_9.23.2022_redacted.pdf

LSJ-2022-009

Rev.:10/2020 required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(C). In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original GSA FSS order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable GSA FSS ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

FAR 8.405-6(b), Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

Rationale:

The recommendation is made pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

Competition is impractical for the following reasons:

1. Unison Virtual Acquisition Office is the developer of the proprietary Pathfinder software solution. Unison Virtual Acquisition Office is the only provider against GSA Contract GS-35F-131GA per the attached sole source letter dated, August 3, 2022.

2. The unique analysis capabilities and features are listed below, and further supported by the following technical narrative.

Based on market research, only Unison’s Pathfinder provides a software learning and referencing solution with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based content for use in the federal procurement lifecycle process. Additionally, Pathfinder will allow for NASA-specific customization to include NASA FAR Supplement content, NASA templates, and additional NASA resources guidance. No other procurement lifecycle solutions have offered that extensive tailoring. Therefore, the Pathfinder software from Unison is the only source capable of providing the required features needed for NASA Headquarters Office of Procurement.

Additionally, Pathfinder provides the ability to have user routines for each role within the NASA acquisition process (Requirements Owner, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative.) The content is tailored based on the selection of ones’ role.

Pathfinder will provide the regulations and necessary templates based on the requirement and navigate users through the required steps.

In-house development is not a feasible solution when compared to Pathfinder due to capabilities, requisite resource allocation, and the necessary learning curve. It is estimated to replicate an in-house SharePoint Development effort with similar capabilities of what Unison

Rev.:10/2020

Development, and Department of Labor)

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made:

The Agency will continue to examine the market in the future for alternative solutions or new sources before executing any subsequent acquisitions for the same requirements. Due to the specialized nature of this requirement, there are no known actions which the Agency may take to give consideration to other manufacturers for the requirements described herein at this time.

Therefore, purchase of these requirements to Unison Virtual Acquisition Office for Pathfinder software and implementation services, is the only practical approach. NASA will continue to examine the market in the future for alternative solutions before executing any subsequent contract action for the requirements herein.

Rev.:10/2020

Unison Virtual Acquisition Office Pathfinder Subscription Implementation Services

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

SIGNATURE PAGE

Technical Representative: I certify that the supporting data presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Technical Representative

Contracting Officer: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. In addition, I hereby determine that the anticipated price(s)/pricing of the order will be fair and reasonable.

Contracting Officer