Description
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Provision of Technical Assistance for Forestry Services International Programs The following Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is prepared in accordance with FAR 6.302-1: 1. Identification of Agency: The USDA Forest Service, International Programs. 2. Nature and/or Description of Action Being Approved: International Programs works closely with other U.S. government agencies and host country partners to evaluate, develop and implement policy for improved forest conservation worldwide. In addition, our Policy Team plays a critical role as a technical advocate for U.S. interests in international policy negotiations. The team engages with other U.S. Government agencies, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and the private sector to advise and influence environmental, science, and trade policy to protect and promote U.S. forests and the interests of U.S. forest stakeholders internationally. To further our work, IP is requesting an annual membership to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Agency's Need Including Estimated the Value: IP requires access to IUCN's member benefits, which include access to partnerships and networks and the Union Portal. These benefits will help IP expand and develop partnerships by being part of an alliance of Government and NGOs. Access to the Union Portal will allow for networking, interaction and the sharing of information across the entire Union: Councilors, Members, National and Regional Committees, Commission members and the Secretariat. It is both a working area and an important communication and networking tool for all IUCN constituents. The Portal is a source of knowledge, a hub for creating new institutional partnerships and place to learn about new opportunities. The estimated value is between $12,000 and $15,000. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition: 5. FAR 6.302-1, 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (e.g., unique supplies or services that are available from only one supplier). This requirement is for supplies specific to a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer consequently, it does not provide for full and open competition, regardless of the number of sources solicited. 6. Demonstration That the Proposed Contractor's Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Requires use of the Authority Cited: IUCN is the only international organization that provides the required combination of access to partners and networks, via the Union Portal, and assistance with the coordination of international initiatives important to the USFS. Among the latter are IUCN coordination of the Bonn Challenge for forest restoration, of which the USFS is a key member, a jointly managed annual seminar on forest landscape restoration, and USFS representation on behalf of USG land management agencies as a voting member on IUCN programs and policies. All of these benefits require USFS membership in IUCN. 6. A Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable, Including Whether a Notice was or Will be Publicized as Required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, Which Exception Under 5.202 Applies: N/A - there are no other organizations that offer the above-mentioned services and benefits to the USFS. 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer That the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: A government estimate has been provided and will be utilized to negotiate a fair and reasonable price to the government. 8. Description of Market Research Conducted: Market research was conducted to determine a fair and reasonable price for this procurement. Vendor websites were researched and Forest Service technical experts were consulted and the price was found to be reasonable. 9. Any Other Facts Supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition: Not Applicable 10. A listing of the Sources, if any, That Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Not applicable. 11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency may Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition Before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services Required: For this purchase there are no other companies that can provide the specialized membership needed to support this mission.