J&A FAR 6.302-1 - Suitability modeling and data analysis for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

Contract # 40181AM175 Project # 1113 TAS 14 1611 TAS This J&A is also available at http://www.fws.gov/contracts/ja.aspx?id=39B23111-E262-4218-9F50-F1613301FDF4 United States Department of the InteriorClass Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition AndWaiver of Publication Requirements Federal law (41.US.C. 253(c)(1)) and FAR 6.302-1 authorizes under certain conditions, including only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy agency requirements, contracting without providing for full and open competition. Exceptions are also authorized to the statutory requirements in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416), to provide public notice of contracting opportunities. J&A FAR 6.302-1 - Services to supply suitability modeling and data analysis for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Justification and Approval DocumentFOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIONUse for requirements not exceeding $100,000 1. Contracting Activity: Fish & Wildlife Service, Contracting & Grant Services 2. Description of Action: Requirement: New Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Funds: 47750-1113-IBWP FY09 Name of Intended Contractor: SIGMALOGISTIC CONSULTING INC. Street Address: 2418 UNION ST City, State, Zip: SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-1320 Phone: 619.261.1537 3. Description of Services: The estimated value of the proposed action is $ _24,000.00_____ . Describe the services or supplies, including make & model number, to be acquired below. Dr. Jeff Tracey (Sigmalogistic Consulting) was responsible for the coding of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Stochastic Habitat Suitability Model that was developed for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Intergovernmental Agreement # 401816N012. The software developed by Dr. Tracey permitted the incorporation of uncertainty in our understanding of Ivory-billed Woodpecker habitat in assessments of current habitat suitability across the historic range of the bird. A recent compilation of historical Ivory-billed Woodpecker sightings provides an opportunity to verify the habitat suitability model and assess its utility for developing potential conservation strategies for this species based on current estimates or future projections of connectivity and/or forest inventory projections across the entire geographic range of the bird. Dr. Tracey's expertise with the existing Ivory-billed Woodpecker habitat suitability model and the accompanying software is essential for the successful achievement of these objectives. For this reason, Sigmalogistic Consulting is a uniquely qualified vendor to supply the specified modeling and data analysis requirements detailed in this purchase order. 4. Authority Cited: (Identify the statutory authority, FAR title and FAR citation permitting other than full and open competition. It may be one of the following.) (a) 10 USC 2304(c)(1) or 41 USC 253(c)(1); FAR 6.302-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements 5. Reason for Authority Cited: (State why this is the only source that can provide the required supplies or services.) (b) Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. (d) Additional Information: (i) What harm will come to the Government if desired supplies/services are not provided on time? Already the Ivory-billed Woodpecker search effort is waning. Inability to provide the data products from this effort in a timely manner may unnecessarily delay targeted search efforts that are currently occurring (at significant expenditure to the Government) in the most likely locations for a sustainable population. (ii) What harm will come to the Government if desired contractor doesn't receive the award? Dr. Jeff Tracey's (Sigmalogistic Consulting) already intimate knowledge of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Stochastic Habitat Suitability Model results in significant cost savings to the Government, as the costs associated with familiarizing a new contractor with the model would be significant in terms of existing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff time and use of available funds on new research. 6. Actions to Increase Competition: (State what actions will be taken to increase competition before subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services is required.) The model and the data products derived from it will be shared with biologists and the public through both scientific publications and the web (www.lmvjv.org). These means of dissemination will permit others to learn about the mechanics of the model, facilitating competition for further research surrounding its application. 7. Market Survey: (Describe the extent of the market survey conducted to identify all qualified sources and the results thereof. "Market Survey" is defined as those attempts you made to ascertain whether other qualified sources exist. The survey of the market place may consist of written, telephonic, or world wide web inquiries.) The Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture is a formal long-standing partnership comprised of three federal natural resource and science agencies, nine state fish and wildlife agencies, and four conservation-based non-profit organizations. The US Fish and Wildlife Service solicited input from these agencies and organizations as well as affiliated academic institutions in search of a suitable entity that could provide these unique services. 8. Procurement History: Previous Contract or Purchase Order Number: N/A Previously competed? N/A 9. Technical / Requirements Certification: I certify that the support data under my cognizance which are included in this J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Approved By: Donald Calder /s/Position Title (Division Chief or higher): Chief, Contracting & Grant Services Date: 3/5/2010