UW.justification-for-internet.pdf

USDA – Forest Service FPL-6300-32 (10/08)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. AGENCY INFORMATION

USDA, Forest Service Forest Products laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive

Madison, WI 53726-2398

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

Acquisition, by noncompetitive contract, X Proposed vendor: University of Wisconsin - Madison Division of Information Technology - Network Services

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED, INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE

Description: The USDA Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory's

(FPL) existing non-corporate network infrastructure, provides connectivity to the UW network provides critical services for many FPL work units and tenants, it hosts the FPL website, and is vital for the high-speed computing center. Due to Chief Information Office (CIO) policies, these services cannot be obtained via the FS corporate network. The FPL-UW network infrastructure requires significant rehabilitation, to maintain the necessary services required for FPL scientents, support activities and tenant organizations.

Estimated Value: Approximately $82,393.40

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The authority permitting other than full and open competition in this acquisition is in FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), under the Application in 6.302-3(b)(2)(iii). This authority allows for other than full and open competition when the equipment or service is needed to “establish or maintain an essential engineering, research or development capability to be provided by the Forest Products Laboratory, a federally funded research and development center”, (i.e., the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Forest Service, USDA). The service is needed to establish or maintain an essential capability of some FPL research units, tenants, visitors, volunteers and student help.

5. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

UW has historically provided the FPL with internet services, at times even hosting the FPL website. While, that site has been moved to a USDA internet host, all creittinger Typewritten Text creittinger Typewritten Text for the first year plus $18,060 for four following years for a total value of approximately $155,000 creittinger Typewritten Text tenants, students working under Agreement with FPL scientists, and scientists themselves rely on the UW site for research, testing and monitoring that cannot be completed on FS networks. Tenant activities are a source of income for FPL and include UW professors and admin staff that require access to the UW internet.

6. EFFORTS MADE TO OBTAIN COMPETITION

The FPL is a Federally owned facility located on UW campus that relies on UW students and research programs to assist with some of the work completed by scientists. For this reason, and those stated in paragraph 5, this is not a competable action.

7. DETERMINATION THAT ANTICIPATED COST WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE

Initial proposals submit from UW for the resource upgrade appear to reflect a discount that reflects the established partnership between FPL and UW. Further determination that the contract costs are fair and reasonable will be made at the time of award by the Contracting Officer.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET SURVEY

A formal Market Survey was not completed. Due to the unique history of this partnership, current FPL tenants and tools available only on the UW internet, there is only one source that can assist the Forest Service on this requirement.

OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS

Without the UW network, FPL has no outward facing website. Several FPL work units (RWUs 4851 and 4716, EMRSL, and the pilot plant) use the UW network for monitoring various experiments and systems, and to exchange research information. The connection is also needed by FPL visitors for meetings and conferences for internet access. In addition, the proposed high-speed computing center will require UW access, since these machines will run on Linux operating systems and the FS network does not support that platform.

The existing FPL-UW network was built from components discarded CIO parts and the system is well past its useful service life. In addition, the network has no built-in security and FPL relies on the UW to detect any compromise to the system. This network infrastructure was cobbled together in several phases and is not a coordinated, proper solution that follows accepted networking principles.

Changes have not been documented, the reliability of the system is questionable, and the occurrence of slowdowns, data collisions, and bottlenecks is increasing.

9. OTHER INTERESTED SOURCES

No other interested sources have come forward.

10. ACTIONS TO OVER COME BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

No other qualified source is available. No subcontracting opportunities exist .

As required by FAR 6.303-1 and 6.303-2, the undersigned do herby certify that the data and information provided by us to support our recommendation for contracting for the __Management and completion of a preliminary (Class 40) engineering feasibility study ____ without providing for full and open competition, is accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge and belief.

Prepared by:Lon Yeary and Colleen Reittinger________ Date:__23 September, 2015____________

Approved by:_ ____________________ Project Leader/Group Leader

As Contracting Officer, I concur with this reasoning and price is fair and reasonable.

Contracting Officer