A02.14 SSJ PART 13 OWI_REV_01042023_Signed_REDACTED.pdf

CUI ERDC Control No. 24-2982

CUI

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(Under FAR Part 13)

1.0. Agency/Contracting Activity: Engineer Research and Development Center � Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (EDRC � CHL)

Wind, Pressure and Wave Fields Needs for the Wave Information Study and Coastal Hazards System

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: Funds will be provided by Military Construction and OM funding.

2.0. Description of Supplies/Services:

a. Description. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) Coastal Processing Branch (HFC) has a requirement to procure long term wave hindcasts for all US coastlines (including the Great Lakes) for the Wave Information Study (WIS). The Coastal Hazards System (CHS) has a requirement to research sea level rise around the US Coastal Waters including Honolulu and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Basin. This work is accomplished by the implementation of wave modeling technologies that use the same high quality wind field estimates as the WIS, although specified target domains differ slightly. As with WIS, the quality of the wind forcing is essential for an accurate wave hindcast effort. A simplified approach in the wind field generation and specification would yield inferior data sets of long-term climatological wave estimates to be used by the USACE, other US Government Agencies, and the private sector seeking this information. This will be accomplished through five(5) major tasks:

Task 1. Wind, Pressure, Wave Spectral Fields (1970-2022) for Marshall Islands

Task 2. Wind and Pressure Fields for Tropical Cyclones, and development track for Hawaii.

Controlled By: ARMY Controlled By: USACE ERDC

CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition Distribution/Dissemination Control: FED ONLY

POC:

Task 3. YR 2023 Wind and Pressure Fields: Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Alaska, Great Lakes

Task 4 (Option 1). YR 2024 Wind and Pressure Fields: Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Alaska, Great Lakes

Task 5 (Option 2). YR 2025 Wind and Pressure Fields: Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Alaska, Great Lakes

b. The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is .

3.0. Authority:

FAR Part 13, Subpart 13.5 (a) This subpart authorizes the use of simplified procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services in amounts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $7.5 million ($15 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(c)), including options, if the contracting officer reasonably expects, based on the nature of the supplies or services sought, and on market research, that offers will include only commercial products or commercial services. Contracting officers may use any simplified acquisition procedure in this part, subject to any specific dollar limitation applicable to the particular procedure. The purpose of these simplified procedures is to vest contracting officers with additional procedural discretion and flexibility, so that commercial acquisitions in this dollar range may be solicited, offered, evaluated, and awarded in a simplified manner that maximizes efficiency and economy and minimizes burden and administrative costs for both the Government and industry ( 10 U.S.C. 3205-3208 and chapter 241 and 41 U.S.C.3305, 3306, and chapter 37, Awarding of Contracts).

4.0. Reason for Authority Cited: The Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) executes a wide array of R&D work in areas of navigation and flooding prevention for the USACE. The Wave Information Study (WIS) over the past four decades has produced wave estimates along all U.S. coastal waters. As part of the hindcast effort wind fields are required to force the WIS wave model technologies. In addition, those wind fields must be of high quality and must remain consistent (i.e. methodology used) over the entire period of record which is critical to the establishment of highest quality in a wave hindcast.

The quality of the wind/pressure/2D spectra (and where applicable ice concentration) files used in the WIS effort have been found to be far superior to standard WPC products, and the most recent long-term CFSR hindcast estimates. The development of wind/pressure/2D spectra files to be specifically used in the WIS effort has to continue to be derived from the same methodology and possess the high quality that has been used to date. If not, there could be potentially discernible discontinuities in the data record.

5.0 Actions to Increase Competition: In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research has been conducted for this acquisition utilizing subject matter expert knowledge, historical acquisition information, review of government and commercial databases, and review of internet sources. In accordance with FAR 5.201(b)(1)(i) and 5.207(c)(15), a notice of intent to award this requirement on a single source basis to Oceanweather Inc. was posted to the government wide point of entry (GPE) at www.sam.gov on 20 December 2023 under North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code NAICS 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Service, Size Standard $19.0M. All interested, responsible sources were informed that they could submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the requirement for consideration by the ERDC. No vendors responded to this notice with their qualification�s statements. To date, no other sources have written to express interest in the acquisition.

6.0 Market Research: Internet searches were the main method used for market research. Previous coastal hazard analysis studies were examined to confirm the source of the winds and pressure fields used. The findings were that no other group (government, academia or private consulting firm) possess the capabilities to provide this data. Previous solicitations for similar services were inspected through Contract opportunities prior to submission of the FY23 PAR package. Additional searches were completed through communication with ERDC subject matter experts during this same time period. A previous Notice of Intent (NOI) to sole source was posted 20 December 2023 to 29 December 2023; no responses were received showing capability statements.

Oceanweather Inc. UEI GHQCMF9YGGN5; CAGE Code 0UPW5 350 Bedford Street Suite 404 Stamford, CT 06901 Attn. Andrew Cox (201) 661-3091 Andrewc@oceanweather.com

7.0 NAICS Determination: NAICS 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Service, Size Standard $19.0M.

8.0 Procurement History:

Previous Purchase Orders(s) or Contract(s): Yes No

Fiscal Year 2023: W912HZ23P0044 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.) Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2022).

$43,010.00

Fiscal Year 2022: W912HZ23P0056 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.) Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2021).

$41,670.00

Fiscal Year 2021: W912HZ21P0081 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.) Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2020).

$36,920.00

Fiscal Year 2020: W912HZ20P0145 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.) Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2019).

$37,370.00

Fiscal Year 2019: W912HZ19P0123 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2018).

$45,400.00

Fiscal Year 2018: W912HZ18P0104 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2017).

$28,201.00

Fiscal Year 2017: W912HZ17P0123 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2016).

$30,879.00

Fiscal Year 2016: W912HZ16P0080 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2015).

$26,800.00

Fiscal Year 2015: W912HZ15P0053 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2014).

$26,000.00

Fiscal Year 2014: W912HZ14P0095 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2013).

$98,900.00

Fiscal Year 2013: W912HZ13P0158 (Awarded Sole-Source to Oceanweather, Inc.). Update on Wind Study for the Wave Information Study (Calendar Year 2012).

$51,000.00

Was action competed? Yes No

- Action was originally competed in FY11 through the ERDC BAA.

If action was not competed, state the cited authority, summarize rationale:

9.0 Commercial Item Determination: IAW FAR 10.002(b)(1)(i), the results of the market research have demonstrated that the Government's needs can be met by items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace that would meet the definition of a commercial item at FAR 2.1, to include commercial items with customary or minor modifications, or non-developmental items. Therefore, IAW FAR 10.002(d)(1), the contracting officer shall solicit and award any resultant contract using the policies and procedures in FAR Part 12.

10.0 Additional information to support the justification: N/A

11.0 Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Reviewer

12.0 Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Basis for the determination: price analysis techniques.

Contracting Officer

13.0 Contracting Officer�s Approval: I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Contracting Officer