Sole_Source_Compass_Redacted.pdf

Control No. CECT-NWO-18-22

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. CONTRACTING AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, Omaha District (NWO), Contracting Division, Civil Branch (CENWO-CT-C), 1616 Capital Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION. This will be a firm-fixed priced sole source commercial service contract with an estimated value of to be awarded to Compass Resource Management, LTD. This is a non-personal services contract to provide Adaptive Management support to the ongoing development and implementation of the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP). Services include structured decision making expertise and guidance in the collaboration with MRRIC and the updating and implementation of the MRRP’s Science and Adaptive Management Plan (SAMP) for the least tern, piping plover, and pallid sturgeon on the Missouri River. The contract will contain a one (1) 12-month base year and two (2) 12-month option years.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. This non-personal service contract is to provide Structured Decision-Making (SDM) expertise to the MRRP to include the following services/tasks:

• Support USACE on when and how to use SDM within the collaborative stakeholder process

• Lead collaborative SDM engagements between agency and stakeholders to increase understanding of complex issues

• Use and develop specialized decision analysis tools (e.g.., HydroViz) to help display impacts and effects of actions on Human Considerations

• Lead agency and stakeholders through trade-off discussions based on decision analysis tools

4. AUTHORITY CITED. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii), only one responsible source and no other type of services will satisfy agency requirements. FAR 13.501(a) authorizes the use of simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items not exceeding $7M. Acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR part 6.

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED.

Background/Justification: The Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP), specifically the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC), has worked closely with Compass Resource Management Ltd since 2014 to identify Human Consideration (HC) objectives. These objectives and metrics have been compiled and organized into the four “accounts” prescribed in the Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies, 1983 (P&G) and in accordance with USACE Engineering Regulation (ER) 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook. Approximately 32 objectives/metrics have been identified and organized into the Environmental Quality (EQ), National Economic Development (NED), Other Social Effects (OSE), and Regional Economic Development (RED) accounts. These metrics are to be considered in each of the actions undertaken by the MRRP. One key component of Compass’s approach to supporting the MRRP has been the use of a proprietary decision support tool known as HydroViz. This spreadsheet-based tool has been modified based on feedback from MRRIC members over the years to meet those members’ specific needs. HydroViz reads data outputs from the USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Reservoir Simulation Model (HEC RESSIM) and the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) modelling and converts them into an interactive tool that provides a highly accessible and intuitive interface for MRRIC stakeholders and tribes to use. It allows users to deeply understand the relationships between the alternative management rules under evaluation in a NEPA or pre-NEPA context and the hydrological consequences of those rules throughout the system. With a solid understanding of these cause and effect relationships, MRRIC members have demonstrated a better understanding of how their HC interests may (or may not) be affected by potential changes in operations and can therefore participate from a position of increased knowledge and data.

Impact: To utilize another contractor would result in increased costs, including costs for training (specifically training the MRRIC on the use of the tool) and developing the tool. If the contract were to be awarded to another contractor USACE would have to develop a new tool for collaborative engagement, and would need to re-train MRRIC on its use. Essentially, pursuing any other acquisition strategy would result in high costs and a schedule delay of approximately one for another contractor to develop an equivalent collaborative tool and another 6 months to train MRRIC on the use of that tool.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION. The original award for this effort W9128F-14-P- 0075 was issued as unrestricted, full and open competition. Compass was awarded the contract, and since award the company has developed this proprietary decision support tool known as HydroViz.

7. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION. USACE is continuously reviewing data on the industry and commercial products that provides similar services. Should other acceptable sources become known that meet the Government’s unique needs, appropriate action to ensure full and open competition will be taken.

8. MARKET RESEARCH. Market Research was conducted IAW FAR 10.002(b)(2)(i), contracting knowledgeable individuals in Government regarding market capabilities to meet requirements. Compass is the only company able to provide HydroViz, which is a proprietary decision support tool developed by the company.

9. INTERESTED SOURCES. Compass Resource Management, LTD is the only source available to provide the required services needed for this effort. This is a proprietary decision support tool known as HydroViz and all other companies do not have the data or tool needed to successfully support this effort without duplicating costs for a new tool and training.

10. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.

The quote will be analyzed in accordance with FAR 15.404. It is anticipated that the government will use various price analysis techniques, including but not limited to: (1) comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid and (2) comparison of proposed prices with independent government cost estimate amounts.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FOR SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Control No: CECT-NWO-18-22

Requirement: Execute a firm-fixed priced sole source commercial service contract to Compass Resource Management, LTD. The contractor will support the MRRO adaptive management program.

Authority: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements; 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 1901.

Estimated Amount:

Technical / Requirements Representative:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Project Manager:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Office of Counsel:

Office of Small Business Programs:

Contracting Officer:

FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. A thorough cost and price analysis will be performed prior to negotiations, and the negotiated price will be compared and related to an independent government estimate prior to acceptance.

PROCURING CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION:

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve subject J&A to award a new firm-fixed priced sole source commercial service contract to be awarded to Compass Resource Management, LTD. on an other than full and open competition basis, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii), only one responsible source and no other type of services will satisfy agency requirements, with an estimated value of This approval is subject to availability of funds and provided that services and property herein described have otherwise have been authorized for acquisition.