A03.11_ERDC_19-1440_JA_Chapman.pdf

Thomas Morrissey thomas.j.morrissey@usace.army.mil

601.634.2260

ERDC-19-1440

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Justification and Approval For Other Than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Contracting Office located at 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199.

2. Description of Action: Execute a new sole-source, firm fixed price contract with Ray Chapman and Associates for the development of the Geophysical Scale Multi-Block (GSMB) modeling system using 96 3121 civil works reimbursable funding.

3. Description of Services: The Environmental Laboratory (EL) has a requirement for continued development of the Geophysical Scale Multi-Block (GSMB) modeling system in the estimated amount of $489,675.00, including options. This includes developing new transport modules, e.g., contaminant transport, and developing models for sediment sites a) undergoing sediment remediation, and b) where beneficial use of dredged material is being implemented. This effort is estimated to take approximately 60 months.

4. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2304(c)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2) -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

5. Reason for Authority Cited: The proposed procurement meets the criteria for exclusion from full and open competition under the authority cited above based on the following:

a) Background: The GSMB modeling system is needed to evaluate and plan sediment remediation and beneficial use of dredged material activities at several sites in the Great Lakes, suspension and transport of dredged material placed at an offshore dredged material placement site near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the transport of contaminated sediment at EPA Superfund Sites, e.g., Portland Harbor, OR.

b) Justification: Dr. Ray Chapman of Ray Chapman and Associates, is the developer of the original GSMB as well as developer of the procedure to develop GSMB models and is thus, the only qualified source to develop new models and make the necessary code modifications without project and productivity delays. Example modeling studies where Dr. Chapman applied the GSMB include the following: Two Mobile Bay modeling studies for the Mobile District (SAM);

Four Duluth Harbor Beneficial Use related sediment transport modeling studies for the Detroit District (LRE) One sediment transport modeling study in Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Superior for LRE; Two Port of Anchorage modeling studies for the Alaska District (POA); James River modeling studies for the Norfolk District (NAO); and a sediment transport modeling in Calumet Harbor and River for the Chicago District (LRC). In addition, it was used in two other modeling studies for SAM and one other for POA. In these modeling studies GSMB has been used to simulate water quality and sedimentation impacts of dredging activities and placement of dredged material in Offshore Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS), along navigation channel disposal sites, and nearshore placement sites; deepening of navigation channels and harbors; Beneficial Use studies in harbors and bays; and transport of contaminated sediments in Lake Superior. Dr. Chapman has been the lead on all these studies.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

c) Impact: The continued development of the GSMB modeling system is required for ERDC to be able to provide modeling assistance to USACE Districts in the fields of sediment remediation and beneficial use of dredged material at many harbors and EPA Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes and elsewhere. The planned development tasks for the GSMB modeling system will ensure that the ERDC Environmental Laboratory will have the necessary capabilities to simulate three-dimensional stratified flows and the sediment transport of both cohesive and noncohesive sediments as well as the transport and fate of both dissolved and adsorbed contaminants. The inability to award this requirement to Ray Chapman and Associates will result in the Environmental Laboratory not being able to provide requested assistance by: a) several Districts (LRC, LRE, LRB, NHO) in the areas of beneficial use of dredged material, sediment remediation, and placement of dredged material from harbor deepening projects at approved nearshore and offshore placement sites, and b) EPA in modeling contaminated sediment transport at Superfund Sites. It is important that the GSMB modeling system be further developed in order to meet the needs of these Districts.

d) Alternatives: Possible alternatives include: (1) use of internal personnel/expertise, and (2) suspension of project. The ERDC does not have the internal expertise knowledge of GSMB modeling system. All other investigators would require significant training for the system at a tremendous cost in time and money to the government. The option to suspend this project is unacceptable due to the fact that substantial investments have been devoted to research projects requiring ERDC expertise in the areas of beneficial use of dredged material and placement from harbor deepening projects. The ERDC has been providing expertise to Districts in as much it can for these projects. Millions of dollars are spent in construction of harbors and the maintenance of navigation systems. It is imperative to provide modeling expertise so that these efforts may continue unimpeded.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Based on information in paragraph 5, above, and the required level of expertise for continued development of the GSMB modeling system being available only at Ray Chapman and Associates, competition for this action is not feasible.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Due to the swift advancements applicable to research and development, ERDC must remain watchful for new and innovative technology, products, services, and capabilities that become available which could be used to satisfy or improve similar future requirements.

The Government will continue to review the current literature, monitor university laboratory websites and review vendor abilities to meet this requirement in the future.

8. Market Research: Market research was performed principally through the use of literature searches of peer reviewed journal articles and contact with other laboratories such as ERDC Coastal Hydraulics Laboratory. Based on this research, Ray Chapman and Associates has been identified as the only known source that can meet all of the requirements which include expertise that will ensure the ERDC Environmental Laboratory will have the necessary capabilities to simulate three-dimensional stratified flows and the sediment transport of both cohesive and noncohesive sediments as well as the transport and fate of both dissolved and adsorbed contaminants.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

9. Other Facts:

a) Procurement History: This is a new ERDC requirement. Therefore, there is no procurement history for this action.

b) Acquisition data availability: A performance work statement and quality assurance surveillance plan have been developed and will be used for this contract.

c) Unusual and compelling urgency: N/A

d) Subcontracting Competition: Ray Chapman and Associates is a small business under NAICS code 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), with a size standard of 1,000 employees. In accordance with FAR 19.702(b) (1), a subcontracting plan is not required from small business concerns.

Subcontracting opportunities are not considered substantial, however, where the opportunity for subcontracting arises, the use of other small businesses will be encouraged and pursued to the extent possible.

10. Interested Sources: A notice of intent to award a sole source contract was posted at the Government point of entry, FedBizOpps on 27 November 2018.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

11. Technical Certification:

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:

12. Requirements Certification:

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:

13. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Cost analysis will be performed to determine that costs are fair and reasonable.

Certified cost or pricing data will not be required since this action is beneath the $750,000 threshold.

14. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Earl Hayter Signature:

Lead Principle Investigator

Mark Noel Signature:

EPW Chief

Chelsea Whitten Signature:

Contracting Officer

Chelsea Whitten Signature:

Contracting Officer

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Approval:

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of development of the Geophysical Scale Multi-Block (GSMB) modeling system for the Environmental Lab on an Other than Full and Open Competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented in FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Chelsea Whitten Signature:

Contracting Officer