U--Task Order University of Central Florida -Veterans Legacy Program - Sole Source

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval (J&A) For Other Than Full and Open Competition (>$150K) Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, 75 Barrett Heights Road, Suite 309, Purchase Request Number 7869-000192. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Stafford Centralized Contracting anticipates the sole source award of a fixed price contract is seeking to procure contract with qualified universities in conjunction with public school (K-12) institutions to engage in program of the development of research based educational outreach materials as part of the National Cemetery Administration s (NCA) Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). NCA has launched VLP to promote memorialization of the nation s veterans legacy enshrined in national cemeteries. This procurement will continue to contribute to VLP s Local Legacy, National, National Heritage program, which seeks to create an experience of learning that builds community and commemoration of veterans legacy, using the local national cemetery as a resource. The Government intends to satisfy the requirement using sources other than SDVOSB or VOSB sources. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all professional services, labor, materials, supervision, transportation and incidentals necessary to research-based educational outreach materials, including extended memorialization, as part of the National Cemetery Administration s (NCA) Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). The independent government estimate for this acquisition is $295,802. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: (X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1; ( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2; ( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3; ( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5; ( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6; ( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7; Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i), full and open competition need not be provided when agency s need can only be satisfied by unique services available from only one source with unique capabilities. The university staff has the ability to develop and deliver the educational material and provide the presentations and in a method required to meet the requirement of this procurement. In the estimation of the contracting officer, contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the Government. The price is fair and reasonable based on comparison to the IGE and pricing received from previous solicitations. The Contracting Officer has determined that it is in the best interest of the Government to award a sole source contract to University of Central Florida has performed successfully in the past continues to provide the presentations in a method required to meet the requirement of this procurement. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: A Request for Information (RFI) was published on September 5, 2018, seeking potential qualified firms for the requirement. The notice requested interested firms to provide responses to the questions contained in the RFI notice to the Government no later than October 3, 2018. Multiple sole source awards will be made to previous awardees due to the immediate need to have the course material begin during the winter semester. A formal solicitation for competitive quotes will be forthcoming in the future. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The Contracting Officer s anticipates the contract award between the Government and University of Central Florida will result in a fair and reasonable price in comparison utilizing the Independent Government Estimate (IGE), past pricing and recent quotes or proposals submitted in current procurements. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Efforts were made to locate an SDVOSB in Vetbiz, SAM, DSBS, and RFI s posted on FBO. An RFI was published on September 5, 2018, seeking potential qualified firms for the requirement. The notice requested interested firms to provide responses to the questions contained in the RFI notice to the Government no later than October 3, 2018. Responses to the Sources Sought question were received from six (6) universities and two (2) non-profit organizations. A review of the responses revealed that universities and private entities appear capable of providing the requested educational materials. There were eight (8) separate contracts awarded to provide educational materials (seven (7) universities and one (1) non-profit organizations. No responses were received from Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business or Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Due to the immediate need to continue with these services, sole sources will be established with each of the previous universities awarded past contracts to meet the winter semester timeline for submission of course materials. A future solicitation will be solicited on a competitive basis and will be posted to allow for more competition. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: A Sources Sought Notice was published on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website (fbo.gov) on September 5, 2018, seeking potential qualified firms for the requirement. Responses to the Sources Sought question were received from six (6) universities and two (2) non-profit organizations. A review of the responses revealed that universities and private entities appear capable of providing the requested educational materials. There were eight (8) separate contracts awarded to provide educational materials (seven (7) universities and one (1) non-profit organizations. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: There are no barriers to competition as a future competitive solicitation will be issued on FBO utilizing FAR 15 procedures. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. 13. Approvals: a. Contracting Officer or Designee s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. b. One Level Above Contracting Officer (Required over $150K but not exceeding $700K): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.