Justification__Approval_-_University_of_Maryland_Marketing.doc

Justification & Approval (Continued)

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Date:

5 September 2014 Reference:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303-2

Control Number:

GFEBS PR 0010562595

1. Agency Name: United States Property & Fiscal Office (USP&FO) for Maryland, 301 Old Bay Lane, State Military Reservation, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078-4094.

2. Description of Action: Sole source procurement, firm-fixed price supply contract with CBS Outdoor, Inc., 185 US Highway 46, Fairfield NJ, 07004. Funding will be from Recruitment and Retention. Estimated dollar amount is $32,000.00.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The Recruitment and Retention Battalion, Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) requires the following Display Space and Marketing Contract:

a. Purchasing and advertising display space on “University of Maryland Marketing” marketing outlets including jumbotrons, scoreboards, field fence lines, and marquees.

This display space and marketing effort will enhance the public awareness of the Maryland Army National Guard and help meet recruiting goals.

4. Authority Cited: FAR 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”, 10 U.S.C. 2304 ( c ) (1) (2). When supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one source and no other type of supplies will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided. In addition FAR 6.302-1 ( c ) is applicable. An acquisition that uses a brand name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer does not provide for full and open competition. The selection of the “University of Maryland Marketing” for sports and marketing events is to coincide with the University of Maryland Sports Properties schedule. No other contractors are authorized to furnish and negotiate a comprehensive marketing package for the University of Maryland in order for this office to provide full and open competition. The MDARNG has requested the University of Maryland because they have the potential to reach an extremely large base of potential recruits. They have the potential of reaching over 5000,000 people per month on their website in addition to thousands of fans (11k during football, 6.5k during basketball) by setting up a display and signage during sporting events which will allow the Maryland National Guard to personally answer questions and hand out informational brochures to the target audience.

5. Price Determination: Price reasonableness is ascertained by comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases and comparison with similar items in a related industry (stadium sponsorship and other media advertising/programming). See Determination of Price Reasonableness. Based on this cost comparison, price is considered fair and reasonable to the government.

6. Market Research: Research was conducted utilizing previously awarded contracts, the internet and other market research. A special announcement was posted on FedBizOps . The notice detailed the intent to negotiate a firm fixed price contract with the CBS Outdoor, Inc. (University of Maryland); no responses were received from other suppliers.

7. Listing of Sources: See paragraph 5 above. No other known source is available for the University of Maryland and related University of Maryland Sports Properties Events.

8. Competition Barriers: Further market research, e.g., internet, small business administration, fedbizops, etc. will be conducted to enhance future competition for this product.

9. Contracting Officer Certification: The undersigned hereby certifies this justification and approval for other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer’s knowledge and belief. The undersigned, as Contracting Officer, hereby approves this sole source determination.

Michael Dombkiewicz Contract Specialist

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