SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION-VIRTUAL ACQUISTION OFFICE (VAO) SUBSCRPITION SVCS
- Notice Date
- 9/25/2014
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541519
— Other Computer Related Services
- Contracting Office
- Interior Business Center, AQDDivision 1/ Branch 4381 Elden StSuite 4000HerndonVA20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION NON-COMPETTIVE AWARD UNDER THE MULTIPLE-AWARD SCHEDULE PROGRAM [In Accordance with FAR 8.405-6] RFQ # D14PS00709 VIRTUAL ACQUISTION OFFICE (VAO) SUBSCRPITION SERVICES 1.Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a Limited-Sources Justification This document is a Limited-Sources Justification under the Multiple-Award Schedule Program for the acquisition of Virtual Acquisition Office (VAO) subscription services from ASI Government Inc. under General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Services (FSS) contract GS-35F-4952G. The Justification is executed for the Requiring Agency by the Contracting Activity as identified below. Requiring Activity: Department of the Interior (DOI) Interior Business Center (IBC) Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) Herndon, Virginia Contracting Activity:Department of the Interior (DOI) Interior Business Center (IBC) Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) Herndon, Virginia Period of Performance: Base Year:09/29/2014 09/28/2015 Option Year 1:09/29/2015 09/28/2016 Option Year 2:09/29/2016 09/28/2017 Option Year 3:09/29/2017 09/28/2018 Option Year 4:09/29/2018 09/28/2019 Estimated Total Value: /Estimate Redacted/ 2.Nature and/or description of the action being approved This is a non-competitive acquisition for proprietary commercial subscription services utilizing ASI Government Inc.s GSA FSS contract GS-35F-4952G. As the subject subscription services are proprietary to ASI Government Inc., a Limited-Sources Justification is required in accordance with FAR 8.405-6, Limiting Sources. This requirement has a base year and four (4) one-year option periods as outlined in item 1 above. This justification establishes the need for using ASI Government Inc.s proprietary subscription services for this requirement on behalf of the AQD. 3.A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value) AQD has a requirement to purchase Virtual Acquisition Office (VAO) annual subscription services for up to fifty (50) passwords and up to two (2) inquiry seats. VAO is an acquisition knowledge management and research service that provides up-to-date acquisition information and allows subscribers to submit acquisition questions and issues to be researched. The service provides access to publications, on-line library with both news and analysis, and research support. The estimated value of this requirement is /Estimate Redacted/ if all option periods are exercised. 4.The authority and supporting rationale, and if applicable, a demonstration of the contractors unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. The primary statutory authority for the MAS program are 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. The basis for this justification is set forth in FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B): 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. This justification is prepared using the format at FAR 8.405-6(c)(2). VAO annual subscription services are essential to the Government's requirement to ensure compliant and comprehensive acquisition services to AQDs internal and external customers. There is no other single resource that provides the comprehensive mix of news, research, analysis, tools, on-call help desk, webinars, online learning and annual executive leadership conference that are provided in VAO at a cost effective, annual fixed price. Some of the primary features of the VAO service include: News and Publications. VAO provides the most relevant acquisition-related news of each day in a single e-mail designed to keep subscribers current on the latest legislative, regulatory, policy, and oversight trends. VAOs monthly Update publication recaps the most significant developments of the month. VAOs Highlights from the Hill publication provides weekly legislative analysis. The Inside Look publication provides insight into agency successful practices. Tools. The VAO web site offers a variety of tools, including templates, online learning modules, samples, checklists, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and more that are updated frequently to reflect current regulations and successful practices. COR Toolkit. CORs can find online learning modules, quick reference guides, templates, checklists, and FAQs specifically targeted to their unique role in the acquisition process. Webinars. Webinars provide an opportunity for real-time learning while earning Continuous Learning Points (CLPs). On-Call Acquisition Help Desk. When subscribers have questions or need confirmation of their findings, they can tap VAOs team of acquisition researchers. ASI Government Inc. has unique proprietary rights to these publications, tools and services, and thus no other firm has the ability to provide this VAO subscription service. There is no comparable service that is available and able to meet the Government's needs. Therefore, this requirement will be issued as a limited-sources acquisition. 5.A determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d). Pursuant to FAR 8.404(d) GSA has already determined that the prices of supplies and fixed price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. The AQD Contracting Officer will seek further price discounts in accordance with FAR 8.405-1(d) and make a separate determination as to the reasonableness of the vendors pricing quote. The Requiring Activity will review the quote to verify it meets the Governments requirement. The Contracting Officer will perform a thorough price analysis to evaluate the quote to ensure a fair and reasonable overall price. Price analysis may include comparison with historical pricing, commercial pricing, GSA pricing, other Government vehicle pricing (e.g. FEDLLINK), and the Independent Government Cost Estimate. 6.A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders, and the results of the research, or a statement why market research was not conducted. Market research determined that no other firm has the ability to provide this VAO subscription service and there is no comparable service available and able to meet the Government's needs. This VAO subscription service is essential to the Government's requirement to maintain a well-informed workforce that can ensure compliant and comprehensive acquisition services to AQDs internal and external customers 7.Any other facts supporting the Justification All facts have been documented in other sections. There are no additional facts to be reported in this section. 8.A statement of the actions, if any, the agency will take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made. Before any subsequent acquisition for a similar requirement is initiated in the future, market research will be conducted again to determine if there are alternatives to the proprietary VAO subscription service that would be appropriate for the AQD environment; however, it is unlikely in the near future that the Government will be able to remove this constraint that led to the limited-sources consideration. Only the proprietary VAO subscription service can meet the requirements of the AQD for a single resource with a comprehensive mix of news, research, analysis and tools for assisting the AQD workforce to ensure compliant and comprehensive acquisition services to AQDs internal and external customers. In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(2): Posting, this Limited-Sources Justification will be posted to the FedBizOpps website within 14 days after placing the order and will be posted for the required minimum 30 day period.   9.Certifications Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance forming the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. /Signatures have been redacted/ Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. /Signatures have been redacted/ Branch Chief Review: I have reviewed this justification and recommend approval. /Signatures have been redacted/ Division Chief Review: I have reviewed this justification and hereby approve it. /Signatures have been redacted/ Point of Contact: Geraldine A. Lyons geraldine_lyons@ibc.doi.gov End of Special Notice
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