Justification and Authority for other than full and open competition for a curration plan

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE REQUIRING AND CONTRACTING AGENCY:National Park Service - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site 2. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), and implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source. 3. NATURE AND DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED:This justification seeks approval to award a non-competitive, firm-fixed price contract to Allen Bohnert. The value of the contract is estimated to be between $12,000 and $15,000, depending on travel and printing costs. 4. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEED:The contractor will complete a Collection Storage Plan for the new Northwest Cultural Resources Center based at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This multipark facility is expected to curate the collections from eight national parks within the Pacific West Region. The required plan will need to be completed before building design commences later this fiscal year. 5. REQUIREMENT:The contractor must have experience with planning for multipark curation/museum facilities and experience with planning for collections associated with numerous tribes and other federally-recognized indigenous groups as well as the various procedures required by the National Park Service, as well as blending federal, state, and local requirements. 6. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITIED:This Collection Storage Plan differs from most for which the National Park Service contracts. There are a number of added complexities, namely working with numerous park superintendents and curators to ascertain museum management needs and costs, and (most importantly) addressing tribal concerns that may affect future operations and storage. The collections in question are together tied to over 30 recognized tribal entities as well as Native Hawaiians and several descendant communities who do not have sovereign status. The collections include items that fall under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and repatriation status is unresolved. Putting together a plan that satisfactorily addresses the collection storage needs, and the interface between these and public access, in a manner that is respectful to associated nations and communities requires someone who has previous experience with similar scenarios. In addition, it is essential that the contractor have detailed knowledge of relevant federal laws and codes, as well as those policies specifically promulgated by the National Park Service. In our professional opinion Allen Bohnert is the only contractor who is capable of completing this highly complex and sensitive project; he has the necessary experience and fully understands National Park Service procedures, and the ability to harmonize the requirements of all stakeholders while minimizing cost to the Government. 7. THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO BE FAIR AND REASONABLE:The cost estimates are based on Collection Storage Plans projects from other parks, though they do not attain the level of complexity this plan is expected to demand. 8. CONCLUSION:The above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief: Prepared by: Theresa Langford, Curator 16 NOV 2011 Approved by: Rex A. Crouch, Contracting Officer 15 FEB 2012