Assessment of States Use of Computer Matching Protocols in SNAP

Limited-Sources Justification United States Department of Agriculture FAR 8.405 Federal Supply Schedules Multiple Award Schedule Program 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. This requirement is being conducted by The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Office of Contracts Management (CMD) 3101 Park Enter Drive, Room 228 Alexandria, VA 22302. 2. Description of supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs. USDA - FNS is requesting support service for a research study to verify information States provided in a 2018 survey of SNAP data matching. The estimated value is $93,929.62 for the base period; the period of performance is six months and there are no option periods. 3. The circumstances and rationale for limiting competition. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) - In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is follow-on to a GSA order that was originally competed. Avar Consulting, Inc. is the only source that can meet the government's requirements for this research study because this research study requires verification of a set of data Avar Consulting, Inc. collected in 2018 for an existing research study (AG-3198-D-16-0117). The research objectives for this task order also require that a second revised report be produced based on FNS feedback Avar Consulting, Inc. received on the revised report titled Assessment of States' Use of Computer Matching Protocols in SNAP produced for the existing research study (AG-3198-D-16-0117). If this requirement were competed and were awarded to a different source, the source would (1) have to create from scratch a new data collection effort and (2) write a new report, both of which are the outside the scope of what the government requires and which would cost the government an estimated ten times the amount estimated for this requirement. In other words, competition could result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government. 4. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. Market research was not conducted for this procurement because Avar Consulting, Inc. is the only source that can provide the necessary services without substantial duplication of cost to the Government. These costs are not expected to be recovered through competition, and competition would result in delays in fulfilling the Government's need of up to approximately 18 months. 5. Recommended source(s). List proposed source or sources, and include any sources, that expressed an interest in the acquisition. Avar Consulting, Inc. is the only source that has expressed interest in this acquisition. Certifications & Approval Supporting data which form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.