BOEM SeaSketch Mapping Platform

Added: Sep 16, 2013 11:23 am BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR ORDERS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES FAR PART 13.106-1 (b)

Seasketch web-based mapping platform software service BOEM

JUSTIFICATION

1. In accordance with the FAR 13.106-1 (b) the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)on the behalf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management(BOEM) is purchasing the Seasketch web-based mapping platform software service is used to meet critical BOEM requirements developed by researchers at the McClintock Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). This purchase requisition request is for the acquisition of a SeaSketch software license and technical support services primarily for use with the PROUA project; SeaSketch would be used to improve the PROUA data validation step and improve accessibility and utility of the final PROUA data products.

Using SeaSketch, BOEM project managers could invite users from the broad spectrum of renewable energy planning partners and stakeholders, organize them into groups, assign groups different permissions, configure data layers, set up spatial discussion forums, provide feedback on existing data, and provide new spatial data. SeaSketch differs from the BOEM/NOAA Multipurpose Marine Cadastre in that SeaSketch is a collaborative workspace and forum in addition to an online spatial data viewer.

2. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(i) the SeaSketch web-based mapping platform software service is a sole source for the following reasons:

a. This item is unique to one publisher since they are the only responsible company that provides these specific data pages.

b. The nature of the Governments requirements and the market research indicates that other companies similar products are lacking the particular feature that meets the BOEM needs.

Seasketch web-based mapping platform software service is using a simple administrative interface, project managers may design and conduct surveys to collect information from members of the general public (crowd sourced data) or expert users (targeted survey data). Interactive, map-based forums are then used to evaluate and discuss the data collected through surveys.

Once survey data have been collected, verified and quality assured, they can be used to sketch prospective management plans (e.g., renewable energy sites, marine protected areas, transportation zones) and receive feedback on the consequences of those plans (e.g., energy value, economic costs and benefits). Plans and analytical reports can be shared in a map-based discussion forum where users, such as resource managers and/or stakeholders, may debate the relative merits of designs.

3. Funds are currently available for the Seasketch web-based mapping platform software service. Funding Document No. 0040096848 in the amount of $40,000.00 is being used to fund this.





APPROVAL



4. Based on the above justification and in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), it is hereby decided that SeaSketch web-based mapping platform software service from Marine Science Institute , University of California, Santa Barbara. This requirement can only be fulfilled by using FAR Part 13 procedures. A request for quotation will be provided to University of Santa Barbara, California via email.