Notice of Intent to Sole Source - FHR Navigator

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Human Resources (HRC), in Washington DC, intends to award a Purchase Order to Economic Systems, Inc (ESI), of Falls Church, VA, under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures; justification rationale is 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The purpose of this purchase order is to acquire access, for a base-year and four 1-year option periods, for the most basic functionality of FHR Navigator. NO SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) IS AVAILABLE. It has been determined that ESI is uniquely qualified to satisfy the Government's requirement, based on the reasoning outlined below: While there may be other vehicles to compute retirement estimates, market research has shown that they do not offer the unique and innovative capabilities of FHR Navigator (Economic Systems, Inc.). At this time, the other vehicles do not offer a FERCCA calculator that does a side-by-side comparison of two retirement systems which is a critical functionality for DOL. FHR Navigator is the only tool that provides a comparison FERCCA Benefits statement at this time. DOL currently has approximately 35 FERCCA cases pending. This number goes up and down as cases are completed and new errors are discovered. Errors are identified by Human Resources Assistants and Specialists when a review of creditable prior service and retirement coverage is completed for new employees transferring to the department or a reinstatement, and when employees' request retirement estimates or submit a retirement application. Providing employees with accurate information/calculations is a must to assist the employee in making this decision, which will affect their future retirement. FHR Navigator's sophisticated and innovative products demonstrate a unique and innovative capability to provide all of the services that DOL needs. There is no other all-in-one product available to the government today, as other vendors don't offer a financial education package including financial planning calculators and tools. DOL is in need of this feature which is important to the success and expansion of our financial education program in providing financial education to each DOL employee regardless of where he/she may be geographically. In addition, other vendors services does not include case tracking or electronic signatures. OPM is actively working on the ability to accept retirement forms that are sent electronically and signed electronically so this functionality is also critical for the Department. Continued support of FHR Navigator is required to enable completion of essential human resources functions to provide retirement counseling, annuity estimates, retirement forms and financial education services to DOL employees. Contract support is vital to meeting mission essential requirements, the continuity of operations plan, security requirements of personal identifying information, and improvement in human resources services. Based on market research conducted, there is no other vendor that offers a product that includes all of these required capabilities. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting DOL's requirement, as stated herein, may submit their corporate capabilities, which, if received by the response date of this announcement, may be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing and submitted to Bill Jackson, Contract Specialist, at jackson.william.p@dol.gov by the listed response date. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All questions should be directed to Bill Jackson, Contract Specialist, at jackson.william.p@dol.gov.