This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The government intends to solicit a proposal and enter into a contract with Western Ecosystems Technology, a large business to provide a follow on analysis for the SWAN area network of parks. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government shall consider all responses received prior to the close date of this announcement. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. A solicitation is not available. Please-mail contract specialist, Jordan Gunn with responses or questions regarding this requirement at
[email protected]. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (or SOLE SOURCE) Background: Southwest Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (SWAN) is in need of continued data analyses support for SWAN long-term vital signs monitoring. 1. FAR Statutory Authority cited: 6.302, Circumstances Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition. SWAN recently completed a contract with WEST Inc. that examined the ability of the existing program to detect trends of a given magnitude with a given power. Previous analyses by West Inc. were the building blocks for the currently proposed work to incorporate model covariates, examine trends at a regional scale and provide further documentation and refinement of existing models built by West Inc. for SWAN to improve SWAN's ability to detect trends. Procuring data analyses from a different vendor would require SWAN to spend an excess of funding due to the fact that a new vendor would have to recreate work already completed by West as well as account for time required by SWAN staff to deliver data and descriptions to a new vendor. 2. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs. In January 2004, a report was submitted to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council that outlined several alternative sampling designs for long-term monitoring in the marine near-shore (Bodkin and Dean 2003), as part of the Trustee sponsored Near-Shore Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring Program. The goal of the program is to detect changes that may occur within the nearshore environment over the next century and determine causes for the observed changes. The National Park Service (NPS) is developing a similar plan as part of a broader long-term monitoring program for its parks within the Southwestern Alaska Network (SWAN). Because little data existed prior to implementation of the SWAN monitoring plan, exploratory data has been collected since 2006 in Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM) and since 2007 in Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ) in partnership with NPS, USGS and CRA. Currently, multiple years of data exists for six (6) vital signs with approximately fifty six (56) metrics. Existing data will allow the program to begin trend analysis for several metrics. Data specified for use for this contract was previously used in simulations to estimate number of samples and sample frequency required to detect a specified trend or change with some level of confidence for selected metrics, specifically the rocky intertidal algae and invertebrate vital sign through a previous contract with WEST Inc. Models, results, programs and all other deliverables were provided to assist the National Park Service in the modification of the protocol for its monitoring program. The work proposed here would be to build on existing analyses and to enhance the NPSs ability to detect trends. Specific tasks are outlined in the Statement of Work. 3. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights etc.). West Inc. has already completed some data analyses for the SWAN nearshore program, has taken the time and energy to become familiar with the overall goals of the SWAN I&M program and the data, has the data in hand as well as an intimate familiarity with the models necessary to complete this proposed work. The government would incur unnecessary costs if this work was to go to a new vendor. 4. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: SWAN did not conduct market research for this product, as using West Inc. is a logical follow on tor previously completed work. 5. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: 6. 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. Preparer: Heather A. Coletti /s/ July 12, 2012 Approved: Jordan Gunn, Contracting Officer