Guidance to Facilitate the Analysts Use of the LTPP Traffic Data, Including Estimating Traffic Loads

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Contract No. DTFH61-14-C-00018 1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Headquarters, Office of Acquisition and Grants Management, HCFA-22, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, D. C. 20590. 2. Description of the action being approved The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to award a sole source contract to Applied Research Associates (ARA), Inc. (the Contractor) to continue the analysis being performed under the Contract No. DTFH61-14-C-00018 "Guidance to Facilitate the Analysts' Use of the LTPP Traffic Data, Including Estimating Traffic Loads." The Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program needs additional statistical methodologies to estimate traffic loading data for LTPP test sites where there is no measured loading data. Since the Contractor has already performed some of the foundational activities for this additional work in previous phases of the current contract, it would be in the best interest of the Government to have the Contractor provide the additional traffic parameters needed by users of the LTPP database. 3. Description of services required to meet agency's needs (including the estimated value) The objective of this project (Contract No. DTFH61-14-C-00018) is to improve the LTPP database by focusing on the traffic loading information and making it easier for pavement researchers to select the traffic data needed for their specific analyses. The LTPP program has traffic loading data for most of the LTPP test sites, but there is missing data for some test sites. For this reason, the program recognizes the need to develop sound methodologies to fill-in the traffic loading gaps that exists at these locations. The LTPP program is known for providing reliable pavement performance data, and so it is important for the program to provide reliable traffic data for as many sites as possible for users to have for their data analysis projects. Getting this reliable data will not require collection of traffic data, but developing computed parameters to create traffic estimates for the LTPP sites where very little or no traffic loading data currently exists. The methodologies used to develop the computed parameters for estimating traffic loadings will standardize how the estimates are computed so researchers will no longer have to develop their own method(s) for filling in missing data. By standardizing how the traffic estimates are computed, State highway agencies could also potentially use the methodologies to improve the traffic data at their non-LTPP test sites. This could be a great benefit to the States, since many of them do not have the resources (budget and/or staff) to collect traffic loading data. Page 2 of 5 The Contractor will provide a comprehensive, easy to use traffic parameters database accompanied by a Guide to help researchers select the LTPP traffic data for a wide range of pavement performance research, which includes inputs for the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software. At a minimum, the additional computed traffic parameters that the current contract team will develop include the following: ? Annual Equivalent Single-Axle Load ? Annual General Equivalent Single-Axle Load ? Annual Average Truck Load ? 2-way Annual Average Daily Traffic ? 2-way Annual Average Daily Truck Traffic The Contractor will develop statistical methodologies to compute these traffic parameters and populate the Traffic Trend Table of the LTPP database with this data. These additional estimated parameters will ensure that the database is comprehensive for LTPP data users in terms of traffic loading information. Procurement Request HRDI30180007PR provides Federal funding totaling $125,657.00 for this effort. This is the Government's cost estimate to have this additional work done, which is within the scope of the contract. The estimate for this additional work will increase the value of the current contract from $412,210.35 to $537,867.35. 4. Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition Statutory authority for this action is provided by 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1 (a)(2)(ii), which states "Supplies may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, including major components thereof, when it is likely that award to any other source would result in - A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government or B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. 5. Demonstration that the proposed Contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. The Contractor has already performed the foundational work to develop the statistical methodologies to compute the traffic parameters listed in section 3. This work was part of an earlier phase of the existing contract, but the level of effort to further develop these methodologies exceeded the original scope and budget under Contract No. DTFH61-14-C-00018. The program now has the funding to do this additional work. Since the Contractor understands the expectations of the LTPP program and the reasons and resulting benefits to the LTPP data users to develop the additional traffic parameters, and have the technical ability to get this done successfully, it would be in the best interest of the Government to have them complete this task. Page 3 of 5 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 subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.20 applies. A Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) shall be posted to FedBizOps to describe the Government's intent to enter into a follow-on Contract for the services described herein. 7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer will perform a detailed cost/price analysis on the proposal submitted. A fair and reasonableness determination to ensure the price is realistic and the final cost/price will be determined prior to award. These procedures will ensure that the anticipated cost to the Government is and remains fair and reasonable. 8. A description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10 Market Research) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. Market research was conducted by using historical data from the previous acquisition. The worked contained herein is an extension from Contract No. DTFH61-14-C-00018. Refer to section 6 above for more information in regards to market research. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. The Contractor has a working knowledge of the LTPP database and has been successful in producing useful products for the LTPP program from previous work (such as MEPDG Traffic Loading Defaults Derived From Traffic Pooled Fund Study, FHWA-HRT-13-090 and Long-Term Pavement Performance Pavement Loading User Guide (LTPP PLUG), FHWA-HRT-13-089). This prior work along with the foundational work that the ARA team began as part of an earlier phase of the existing contract, will ensure continuity of results to further develop the statistical methodologies needed to compute the additional traffic parameters requested by partners of the LTPP program and users of the database. 10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed in writing, an interest in the acquisition. There are no other known interested sources at this time. 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 or services required. There is no plan for a subsequent acquisition because no other entity can provide the required services. The agency knows of no barriers to competition, there is no known need to remove or overcome any such impediments. Page 4 of 5 12. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer's knowledge and belief. As confirmed by her signature below, the Contracting Officer hereby certifies that the facts and representations included in this justification are accurate and complete to the best of her knowledge and belief. Page 5 of 5 APPROVAL Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve designation of Applied Research Associates, Inc. for the LTPP program's data analysis study, "Guidance to Facilitate the as the sole source for Procurement No. HRDI30180007PR which has an estimated value of $125,657.00.