Notice of Intent to Sole Source: NTRL RESRCS PRGM

Sole Source Notice of Intent (FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures) In accordance with FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), on behalf of FWS Natural Resource Program Center is seeking to award a sole source action to Headwaters Economics Inc. for a base + four option year contract (6/1/2021 - 5/31/2026). The Economic Profile System (EPS), a tool for downloading socioeconomic reports of communities, counties, and states, including aggregations and comparisons was developed by Headwaters Economics (HE). It incorporates federal data sources, including the Bureaus of Economic Analysis, Census, & others and can be leveraged to generate customized reports. For example, HE has created customized reporting tools for the U.S. Forest Service using the EPS platform. Working with HE the Human Dimensions Branch of the National Wildlife Refuge System developed a customized reporting tool (the Socioeconomic Profile Tool) so U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners can explore socioeconomic conditions in communities around Service lands. Enhancements to EPS allow our Service staff to access the most current demographic and economic data available and generate reports that are easy to read and interpret. These enhancements leveraged the existing EPS platform which is updated annually with the latest data; capable of producing on-demand reports in Excel and PDF; user-friendly, allows agency staff and partners to interact with maps showing socioeconomic conditions; and available nation-wide. HE developed and maintains the EPS which has been leveraged to generate customized reports for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Socioeconomic Profile Tool. The required maintenance of the infrastructure and socioeconomic data for EPS and the customized reporting tools it supports requires an annual maintenance cost. Data source knowledge and standardization: One of the most critical components of maintaining EPS and other tools is updating the data used to generate reports. HE collects dozens of demographic, social, and economic datasets from a number of different sources. All the data is publicly available and are generally from Federal sources. HE has an unparalleled understanding of these different data sources, including both understanding this data itself as well as understanding how each data source organizes and distributes its various datasets. Understanding the nuances of each data source is a necessary skill for building the Service tool, and HE does this currently to maintain EPS. Economic, social, and statistical expertise: The reports produced with the Service tool need to be more than a collection of data. HE has developed similar reports for its EPS tool and others, and the format and presentation of data in each report has been developed overtime and is based on social and economic principles. Furthermore, each report contains interpretative information (study guide) for each set of data that is presented. This information is constantly evolving and requires economic and social expertise. In addition, many of the datasets used in these reports do not disclose certain data for a variety of reasons. HE has developed methods for estimated non-disclosed data. Private firms and other entities have the expertise to interpret demographic, social, and economic data. However, these entities' lack the ability to incorporate this expertise into a software application. Customization: The enhancement of EPS for customized reporting for the Service requires two sets of extensive computer code. One set of code is used to process data from numerous sources and the other set of code is used to develop the reports. While the expertise to interpret and modify this code is readily available from other firms, the time and resources for another firm to - learn the code and its purpose would be substantial. HE has developed and maintained these sets of code for EPS and other tools. Institutional knowledge: HE has 15 years of experience in developing and maintaining EPS. The institutional knowledge related to the data sources, the code, and the users is irreplaceable. Understanding the evolution of the software, and the reasons driving the evolution, is unique to HE and critical to its continuity and success This is not a solicitation for competitive proposal. No solicitation document is available. All responsible sources that have determined that they can provide the same products or services may submit product information and a capabilities statement that speaks to the products/services the US Fish and Wildlife Services are seeking in this proposed acquisition. All responses are due by May 13, 2021, 10:00 AM Eastern Time and can be sent to Lorenzo Aragon at contact@example.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract base upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Procurement Classification Code: DH01 - IT AND TELECOM-PLATFORM SUPPORT SERVICES: DATABA North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services $30.00 Contracting Office: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Acquisition IT Operations JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS Point of Contact: Lorenzo Aragon Contract Specialist Email: contact@example.gov.