Polarity Partners' membership and assessments

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
(SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Subpart 13.5, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING
ACTIVITY:

Requesting Agency:
Biotechnology Regulatory Services
4700 River Road
Room 6A.02.36
Riverdale, MD 20737

Contracting Activity:
USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD
Minneapolis Procurement Branch
Marquette Plaza, Fourth Floor
250 Marquette Ave, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING
APPROVED:

The BRS Polarity Working Group needs help continuing the work already in motion with identifying program polarity and implementing action plans to leverage the polarities which will result in a more efficient organization. This specific request is for access to a polarity assessment tool, training on the creation and evaluation of the tool, and collaboration with the group to develop action plans following any completed assessments.

3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES
REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED
VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

As described above, this request is for access to an assessment tool, training on using and interpreting results of that assessment tool, and collaborating with the working group on action plans following completion of assessments.

Prior to this request, Polarity Partnerships had worked with BRS' leadership team to identify issues to improve polarities within BRS, made a presentation to BRS staff on how to improve efficiencies and handle polarities, and ultimately, created and administered an assessment. Now, BRS is in need of assistance to create an action plan based on the results on the last assessment. They also need the ability to administer future assessments. This will allow BRS to identify polarities without outside assistance and identify ways to leverage these polarities.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING
NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

1. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.5.

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE
QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES
USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

Based on the previous work provided by Polarity Partnership, they are the only vendor that can provide the necessary services and assessment tools moving forward. With respect to assessments, Polarity administered the last assessment and to preserve the integrity of future assessments, the same assessment needs to be used. This type of testing is based on the credibility of the systems used and to change the system now would lower employee trust and confidence in this entire concept. Additionally, the concept that has been communicated to BRS leadership and staff is that of Polarity Partnership. To bring in a different vendor at this point would duplicate costs and efforts on work already completed. Based on this information, Polarity Partnership is the only vendor who can provide the tools and services needed.

6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE
SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE, PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES:

This is a follow on action for continued services on a proprietary system. No other vendors are able to provide these services due to the proprietary nature.

7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE
ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND
REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FOR THAT DETERMINATION:

The cost for the continued training and services is far less than establishing a new system, complete the increased training, and provide the services on a new system. Thus the price is anticipated to be fair and reasonable

8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR
PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON
MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED:

Market research was performed for the first procurement of these services. Continued market research shows that this service is proprietary and that only Polarity Partnerships can perform these services.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL
AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9):

None.

10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN
INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON:

None

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE
TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION
BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES,
EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

There are no actions that can be taken with this award. Continued market research will need to be performed so confirm that the services remain proprietary if services are to continue beyond this award.

12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS
JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY
KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

__________________________ __________________________
Jeremy Pouliot Date Neil Hoffman Date
Contracting Officer Office Deputy Admin
Minneapolis Procurement Branch Riverdale, MD