Single, sole-source award to BAE Systems Information & Electronic Systems Integration, Inc. for BAE Systems SOICET SET software licensing, and SOCET GXP maintenance and support

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION FOR BAE SYSTEMS SOFTWARE AND SERVICES National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) BAE Systems Software Licenses, Support, and Maintenance 1. Identification of the Agency and Contracting Activity: Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Contracting Activity: NOAA Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) Program Office: NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Remote Sensing Division (RSD) 2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: The Department of Commerce, Office of Acquisition and Grants (AGO), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), Norfolk, VA intends to issue a single, sole source, firm fixed price purchase order to BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc. (BAE Systems) of San Diego, CA. Subject purchase order will continue providing BAE Systems SOCET SET software licensing, and SOCET GXP maintenance and support to the NGS RSD. These services are currently provided under purchase order EA-133C-15-NC-0649 with a period of performance of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. This purchase order is against GSA Contract No. GS-35F-0045K and is located under GSA Federal Supply Schedule 70, entitled, General Purpose Commercial Information Technology Equipment, Software, and Services. 3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Government's Needs: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Remote Sensing Division (RSD) has a need for renewal of BAE Systems SOCET SET software licensing, and SOCET GXP maintenance and support services. The required software provides a unique and highly specialized set of photogrammetric mapping tools that conform to the NGS/RSD's specialized 3D mapping environment, allowing the use of a mix of film-based or digital cameras, and the ability to do aero-triangulation on various imagery, including LIDAR or DSS (DSS aerial camera systems) using multispectral sensor data sets. This technology allows real time 3D visualization of coastlines, as well as FAA obstructions and air spaces in order to accurately assess and map coastlines and obstructions in 3D. An annual maintenance renewal purchase order is required for the BAE Systems SOCET SET software licensing, and SOCET GXP maintenance and support services. The requirement is to provide the following software licensing, maintenance and support to the NGS/RSD in Silver Spring, MD: Eighteen (18) BAE Systems SOCET SET Core modules Seventeen (17) BAE Systems SOCET SET Stereo modules Eight (8) BAE Systems SOCET SET MST modules Seven (7) BAE Systems SOCET SET APM modules One (1) BAE Systems SOCET SET ATE modules One (1) BAE Systems SOCET SET ITE modules Fifteen (15) BAE Systems SOCET SET FE modules Three (3) BAE Systems SOCET SET Ortho modules Two (2) BAE Systems SOCET SET Dodger modules Nine (9) BAE Systems SOCET SET ClearFlite modules One (1) BAE Systems SOCET SET Classified GGI Pro Bundle Two (2) SOCET SET DTW Classified modules One (1) SOCET GXP Commercial Pro Bundle UE The period of performance will be five (5) years, specifically a 12-month base term with four 12-month option terms starting July 1, 2016 and continuing through June 30, 2021, should all options be exercised. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority and Supporting Rationale for Limiting Sources Demonstrating the Contractor's Unique Qualifications to Provide the Required Supply/Service: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of Multiple Award Schedule Program (Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq. and Title 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies)). As defined in FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1), only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required, because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. 5. Determination by the Ordering Activity Contracting Officer that the Order Represents the Best Value Consistent with FAR 8.404(d): In accordance with FAR 8.404(d), GSA has already determined the prices of supplies and services under GSA schedule contract GS-35F-0045K to be fair and reasonable. Prior to award, the Contracting Officer will conduct a price evaluation as required by FAR 8.405-2(d) in order to conclude that the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government's needs. 6. Description of Market Research: The BAE Systems SOCET SET software and licensing are proprietary to BAE Systems, and no other vendor/company or distributor has the source code to provide this product software licensing or maintenance and support services. BAE Systems is the exclusive worldwide developer and distributor of SOCET SET and SOCET GXP products and services, and can only be purchased from BAE SYSTEMS or through its authorized distributors. BAE SYSTEMS is the only U.S. distributor of the software; there are currently no other U.S. distributors. This was confirmed by a search of the company's website which revealed authorized distributors in other countries, but no distributors in the U.S. Additionally, a letter was received from BAE Systems stating that BAE Systems is the exclusive worldwide developer and distributor of the stated software. In 1999, the NGS completed an exhaustive study to identify suitable softcopy (i.e. digital) photogrammetric software to replace its analytical photogrammetric environment. As a result of this study, BAE Systems SOCET SET software was selected as the exclusive provider based on a) its ability to meet all requirements including the stringent standards, 2) its capability of being utilized in the classified arena, and 3) BAE Systems provides support that ensures the safety and efficiency of U.S. private and commercial navigation (air and sea). Since that time, the NGS/RSD technical/GIS (Geographic Information Systems) experts have continued to seek out and evaluate competitive products available in the marketplace. This is generally accomplished by the regular attendance of annual ESRI conferences and GIS technology-related seminars which feature various types of software platforms and solutions for similar requirements. To date, they have been unable to find an acceptable software platform alternative with the capability to perform all of the stated requirements. Of particular importance are 1) the ability to perform the aero-triangulation on the multiple imagery, including LIDAR and DSS (DSS camera systems), 2) 3D mapping that is environment-friendly to cartographers, 3) allow the NGS to map shoreline and FAA airport obstructions in 3D, and 4) is compatible with ESRI's ArcGIS. Currently, no other software platform has all of these capabilities. The NGS/RSD client will continue to consider any new capabilities of competing software products and companies. 7. Other Facts Supporting the Justification: BAE Systems is uniquely qualified to provide these BAE Systems SOCET SET software and SOCET GXP maintenance and support services to the NGS/RSD based upon the following: a) BAE Systems SOCET SET software is employed exclusively by NGS to process airborne film and digital photography, compile shoreline features, and perform the requirements provided herein. This software meets the stringent standards identified by NOS, is capable of being utilized in the classified arena, and provides support that ensures the safety and efficiency of U.S. private and commercial navigation (air and sea). BAE Systems SOCET SET software is fully integrated into NOS/NGS production environment. b) Integration of any other software besides BAE Systems SOCET SET would require purchase of a completely new mapping system, and thus incurring considerable additional costs that would far exceed any foreseen cost savings associated with purchasing an alternative product. However, at this time, the technical experts within the NOS/NGS have been unable to find an acceptable software platform alternative with the capability to perform all of the stated requirements. c) BAE Systems is the only software vendor of these licenses that the NGS utilizes to perform Quality Control and Process the Coastal Mapping data. Not purchasing these licenses would cause NOAA to be unable to review the quality of the data to ensure its integrity and accuracy, and would not allow for NGS to continue processing and distributing to other agencies and sources which rely on this data. d) NGS has critical mission requirements to fulfill the Congressionally-mandated National Shoreline survey, and not employing the required software to ensure mission success would cause a break in service and a loss of support for detecting obstructions for the National FAA airspace. The acquisition is essential to the Government's requirement. 8. Actions the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers that Led to the Restricted Consideration Prior to Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services: Replacing the current BAE Systems software supplies and services is not a viable option at this time, as there is no other software platform capable of meeting the established requirements. The Congressionally-mandated National Shoreline survey would be unable to continue if the BAE Systems follow-on acquisition is not executed, and would cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. However, the Government will continue to monitor this specialized software industry and seek out new sources that can meet the established requirements. Until such time, BAE Systems is the only source capable. 9. Approval: The contracting officer has certified that only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.