J A_ProjNet.pdf

CONTROL NO.

TELEPHONE NO

DATE April 8, 2015

TELEPHONE NO

DATE April 8, 2015

DATE April 8, 2015

TELEPHONE NO

I have reviewed this J&A and find the justification adequate to support other than full and open competition

DATE

SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE

DATE

If no PM, use N/A

SIGNATURE

DATE

SIGNATURE

DATE

DATE

SIGNATURE

Name/Title Darryl L. Henderson, Contract Specialist

Name/Title Pamela Tynes

Name/Title Pamela Tynes

Telephone No.

Name/Title

Name/Title

Telephone No.

Name/Title

Telephone No.

Name/Title

Telephone No.

Telephone No.

Name/Title

Annual renewal subscription services for online access to ProjNet-RFI(small), ProjNet-FILER(small),and ProjNet-BID(medium)for the period of April 9,2015 through April 8,2016.

SWF-15-21

25,000.00

817-886-1265

817-886-1866

817-886-1866

Control Number SWF-15-21

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

PROPOSED CONTRACT NOT EXCEEDING THE SAT

1. Requiring Agency and Contracting Agency

Agency - Department of the Army US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District Attention: CESWF-EC-AB Fort Worth, TX 76102

Contracting Activity - Department of the Army US Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District Contracting Division Fort Worth, TX 76102

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a sole source action for the purchasing a subscription to use ProjNet Software. This justification and approval (J&A) is to procure this subscription for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District. ProjNet is a web-based service that allows the secure exchange of design and construction information among authorized partners in the context of specific Government and business processes.

3. Describe the supplies or services required (including the estimated value).

The ProjNet system application supports requests for information and other queries, between Government and Industry, for ongoing design, construction, and services contracts. The software was developed by USACE Engineering Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and support for DRChecks startup may be obtained from CEERD-CF-N atj-kirby@cecer.army.mil or b-east@cecer.army.mil.

Technical support may be obtained from Resource Center Enterprises, jmoll@rcesupport.com; other software was developed for Corps use. ProjNet has several applications such as ProjNet-RFI, ProjNet-FILER, and ProjNet-BID. National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), email: nibs@nibs.org, is where the software resides for all these programs and the Corps buys yearly subscriptions for the privilege of being able to access these applications. NIBS provides the Corps secure identification and resolution of design issues, real time internet-enabled collaboration, communication and access, single and secure record of every document, inquiry, comment and resolution, participation by all authorized project partners, faster review and approval, and reduced design review costs. The subscription is a license for the District to access all the different applications. ProjNet was developed and is administered by recognized experts, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIB). The USACE software sits on NIBs's platform for which CESWF has a subscription in order to access. It is a yearly subscription as long as the Corps uses that platform for its software. HQ USACE is the proponent for this software. Engineering Regulation 1110-1-8159 implements its use Corps-wide. ProjNet serves the wide range needs of major North American and international owners, including Government, higher education institutions and AEC firms. The estimated value of this acquisition is $25,000.00. Renew subscription service is for access to ProjNet is for a one year period.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority.

Acquisition using other than full and open competition under the authority of 10 U.S.C.

~2304c(1), and FAR 6.302-1(c). Only one awardee is capable of providing the service required at the level of quality required due to the service ordered is unique and highly specialized.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is the sole administer of ProjNet programs, which was developed by the USACE. USACE is directed by Army Engineering Regulations: ER 415-1-111 and ER 1110-1-8159 directing the use of DRChecks, a module contained in ProjNet and are the only suppliers offering this unique type of secure engineering and project coordinating web-based service and user support system. NIBS developed ProjNet, at the request of the USACE, and are the only supplier of this type of secure engineering web-based service and user support. NIBS has been providing ProjNet to meet the needs of industry and Government since 2000. Prior to the development of ProjNet;

USACE's request for information processes and other queries had been hobbled by reliance on word-processed documents. Document based communication was slow, incomplete, and often did not resolve important issues. Now as the Government and industry standard, ProjNet enables the prompt identification and resolution of requests for information and other queries, both internally and externally between all partners on a USACE project. See the ProjNet web site for further details at: http://www.projnet.com/about.php. It is in USACE’s best interest to pursue this brand name action in order to maintain the integrity of the overall system, prevent potential hardware failures and to ensure that the adequate system support is available by the manufacturer.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

There are no other sources, so this is not applicable to this acquisition.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

There are no other systems available. When subscription is to be renewed market research on previous contracts within the Fort Worth District will be accomplished to ensure pricing is still fair and reasonable.

8. Describe the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

This is a renewal subscription for ProjNet online services and support used by the USACE.

In 2000, USACE selected NIBS as the sole provider of ProjNet services, based on demonstrations of performance-based criteria. As a result, ProjNet became the standard for Industry and government, with major subscribers now including the GSA, NASA, NAVFAC, VA, State Department, other state and local governments, AE firms, and other members of the construction industry. There are no other similar secure systems available, and USACE has no current or future plans to replace ProjNet and thus end its service with NIBS. The previous contract W9126G-14-P-0130 was reviewed and used as market research. The total price for FY15 ProjNet costs has increased by 1.04% over last year’s prices. Based on the above analysis, the price offered by NIBS, for this FY, is found to be fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the government. The offeror is otherwise eligible to receive this award, is not on the Federal Debarred List, and is currently enrolled in SAM.

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

N/A

10. A listing of other sources, if any, which express, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

There are no other sources, so this is not applicable to this acquisition.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required, if necessary.

There are no other sources, so this is not applicable to this acquisition.

12. TECHNICAL PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION: I certify that the information provided herein recommending “other than full and open competition,” as presented to the contracting officer, is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. Further documentation, if needed, may be obtained from the undersigned technical representative.

______________________________ Date: ___________________ Signature

Name/Title

13. APPROVAL STATEMENT: I hereby determine this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. The estimated cost to the Government is fair and reasonable. IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine that the circumstances of the contract action deems only one source is reasonably available; provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition and funds are available.

________________________________ Date: ___________________ Contracting Officer