UW internet JustificationforOtherthanFullandOpenCompetition_Redacted.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition United States Department of Agriculture

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

USDA, Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI 53726-2398

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) intends to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition, negotiated as a sole source, firm fixed-price effort with the University of Wisconsin – Madison; Division of Information and Technology – Network Services (UW-DoIT). The intention of this contract is to incorporate the requirements of Forest Service scientists, support activities, tenant organizations and partners as needed.

This 5-year effort will be negotiated for a firm-fixed price for UW-DoIT to provide internet services and support for the UW network to the FPL campus. Separate cost line items will be left undefined and unpriced to allow for unforeseen technological improvements and expansions, as needed.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Network services were previously on contract with UW-DoIT and the cost was approximately annually. Based on that, we estimate the same services to cost approximately each year.

In addition to the service cost, we estimate that there may need to be additional hardware purchases required for maintenance or upgrades at a cost of annually.

The Government estimates a start-up fee to begin the new services.

Considering all of these costs, the estimated value for the 5 year effort is

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3), as implemented by FAR 6.302-3, titled "Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services."

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

Use of the proposed source is needed to maintain ongoing engineering, as well as research at the Lab.

UW-DoIT has historically provided FPL with internet services as the government facility is located on the UW campus. Prior to the centralization of Forest Service computer services, several pieces of FPL technical equipment were connected to this more reliable high-speed network.

Additionally, many of our scientists have partnered with UW students, faculty and staff on research programs in the short and long term. The use of the UW network allows for coordination of this research in a more streamlined manner than using the Forest Service network. For security reasons, access to the Forest Service network can only be achieved after the guest has been vetted and approved. This process is timely and administratively burdensome for a short-term research project.

In addition, the partnering scientist does not need access to the Forest Service system for their research work, only to the work of their partnering scientist.

Without the UW network, several work units would require significant modifications to their research processes in order to monitor various experiments and systems or exchange research information. This connection is also needed to support several pieces of research equipment that run on specialized configurations and non FS-standard operating systems which are not capable to be connected to the Forest Service network.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

FPL is a Federal facility located in the middle of UW campus. Due to their co-location and the various partnerships between the organizations there is no other source available for this effort.

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

The Contracting Officer will use historical information as well as current commercial pricing to determine that the firm-fixed price maintenance costs are fair and reasonable. The additional CLINS will be awarded, on a cost reimbursement basis after through market resaerch and negotiation on FPL requirements.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted.

A formal market survey was not completed. Due to the unique hisotry 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 o nthis requirement.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

FPL also has several conference rooms and spaces which regularly host visitors and guests that require network access. While Forest Service internet services do offer “guest” accounts, they must be regularly reviewed and renewed, which can be overly burdensome for users.

The Forest Service Library at FPL houses several computers that are available to the public in support of their research needs. Without that access the library program suffers, unable to meet its goals and mission.

FPL also continues to house several other government organizations. As the Government strives to shrink its footprint, FPL leads the way in hosting other Federal organizations who are able to fill open office space in this Federal building, both shrinking the Government’s footprint and saving it money. These Federal organizations cannot utilize Forest Service internet services. The UW network provides an avenue for FPL to offer internet service to temporary and permanent tenants as well as visiting research scientists with non-Forest Service affiliations.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

The proceeding contracts for this action were sole sourced with justifications posted to FedBizOpps.

In the history of this requirement, no contractor has expressed interest in this action.

11. A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

No other qualified source is available for the reasons stated above.

Certifications & Approvals

Supporting data that form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Engineering Mechanics and Remote Sensing Laboratory Forest Products Laboratory

The information contained in this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Colleen M. Reittinger Contracting Officer