Urban Institute Unsolicited Proposal JOFOC.pdf

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

(1) Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity: This “Justification for other than full and open competition” is written by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS). The division requesting the justification is the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved: This sole source action is to issue a contract to the Urban Institute for the unsolicited proposal titled, “Planning and Development of a Prototype Privacy-Preserving Validation Server.”

(3) Description of the services required: NSF received this proposal on an unsolicited basis.

Therefore, to protect offeror’s proprietary approach, details regarding the description of services are withheld.

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

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

(5) Proposed contractor’s unique qualification and nature of the action requires use of authority cited: The Urban Institute submitted an unsolicited proposal that received a favorable comprehensive evaluation in accordance with FAR 15.606-2. The Urban Institute’s proposal demonstrates a unique and innovative approach. Therefore, this research project may be considered available from only one source in accordance with 6.302(a)(2)(i).

(6) Descriptions of efforts made to solicit sources from as many offerors as practicable: NSF posted neither a synopsis or solicitation in accordance with FAR 5.2 because the Urban Institute’s proposal was received on an unsolicited basis and received a favorable comprehensive review.

(7) Determination of fair and reasonable cost: The contracting officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the NSF will be fair and reasonable. Additionally, the NSF intends to conduct the cost and price analysis as well as cost realism analysis, as appropriate. The estimated cost of this effort is $600,000.

(8) Description of market research conducted: Market research was not conducted because this research project was received and processed under the unsolicited proposal procedures in FAR 15.6.

(9) Other facts: None.

(10) Sources expressing interest in writing. None.

(11) Actions to remove barriers to competition. NCSES has published competitive Broad Agency Announcements to cover research needs and will continue to do so in the future. This action results from an unsolicited proposal receiving a favorable comprehensive evaluation.

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

(12) The facts which form the basis for this justification are certified as complete and accurate:

Keith Boyea Date Head of Contracting Activity