SPECIAL NOTICE
B -- Limited Sources Justification for Nuclear Fuels Assessment Services
- Notice Date
- 3/29/2016
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- U.S. Department of Energy1000 Independence Ave SWWashingtonDC20585USA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- DE-SOL-0009143
- Archive Date
- 3/30/2016
- Point of Contact
- Sadie M. Moulton
- E-Mail Address
-
sadie.moulton@hq.doe.gov
(sadie.moulton@hq.doe.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Department of Energy awarded a sole source task order to Energy Resources International, Inc. for nuclear fuels assessment support services on 3/21/16. Within 14 days of the 3/21/16 award of DE-SOL-0009143/DE-DT0010815, the following Limited Sources Justification is posted in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(2). Limited Sources Justification for Federal Supply Schedule Program Office of Headquarters Procurement Services Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Nuclear Fuel Research & Development (NE-52) Solicitation Number: DE-SOL-0009143 ___________________________________________________________________________ 1)Identification of the agency and the contracting activity: This requirement is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Headquarters Procurement Services (MA-64) located in the Washington, DC on behalf of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Nuclear Fuel Research & Development (NE-52). 2)Nature and/or description of the action being approved: This justification authorizes and approves the sole source, time and materials award of a sole source task order to Energy Resources International, Inc. (ERI) for nuclear fuels assessment support services. ERI is the incumbent contractor under DE-DT0009666. Under this task order, ERI supports NE-52 programs in assessing the maintenance of viable commercial nuclear fuel industries and initiatives that affect U.S. national and energy supply security. The DE-DT0009666 period of performance began on 09/01/2015 and will end on 02/29/2016. DE-DT0009666 was awarded using sole source procedures as a logical follow-on to DE-DT0000752 under the authority FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C). MA-64 and NE have completed substantial market research from October 2015 through January 2016 to assess the market for this requirement. Based on the market research conducted, the contracting officer has determined that it is in the best interest of the Government to issue a sole source task order to ERI for the nuclear fuels assessment requirement. This task order will consist of a base period of twelve months (03/14/16-03/13/2017) with two, twelve-month options (03/14/2017-03/13/2018) and (03/14/2018-03/13/2019), respectively. [Actual award and beginning of period of performance was 03/21/2016.] The Government has limited this task order to three years in order to re-evaluate the market for these services in a timely manner. 3)Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency?s needs: Under this task order, ERI will support the NE-52 office?s programs in assessing the maintenance of viable commercial nuclear fuel industries and initiatives that affect U.S. national and energy supply security. The contractor will provide work products detailed in contract line item statements of work issued by DOE. These products include information and analyses in the form of documents, technical papers, studies, white papers, presentations, meetings, quick response items, and in-depth reports that address all elements of the nuclear fuel market in the U.S. and worldwide. The estimated value for this requirement is shown in the chart below. [chart redacted] 4)Authority and Supporting Rationale for Limiting Sources and Unique Qualifications of the Proposed Contractor Orders place under Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) are exempt from the competition requirements in FAR Part 6. However, an ordering activity must justify its action when restricting consideration of FSS contractors to fewer than required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2. The applicable authority permitting to limit sources is 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.? Though MA-64 conducted thorough market research and opened a sources sought notice up to businesses of all sizes, only ERI provided a capability statement. Based on the market research conducted, NE?s technical evaluation of ERI?s response, and the history of the market for these services, MA-64 has concluded that ERI is the only vendor of either large or small businesses that has both the capability and the interest to fulfill the Government?s requirement. No other businesses replied to the sources sought notice or have previously expressed interest in this work. Competing the requirement among all businesses is unlikely to result in more than one bid, based on both current market research and historical events. 5)Determination that the order represents the best value to the government in accordance with FAR 8.404(d): In accordance with FAR 8.404(d) ?GSA has already determined the price of supplies and fixed-price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates, under the schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable. Therefore, ordering activities are not required to make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing, except for a price evaluation as required by FAR 8.405-2(d)? which consists of an evaluation of the level of effort and the mix of labor categories proposed. Additionally, although by placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in 8.405, DOE has concluded that the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government?s needs, DOE will seek additional discounts consistent with FAR 8.405-4. The total estimated value for this sole source task order is [redacted]. The estimated value is determined fair and reasonable based upon comparison of the contractor?s GSA FSS labor rates to historical rates and the independent Government cost estimate as well as comparison to other contractor rates for similar labor categories. 6)Description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted: Market research was conducted to determine the capability and interest of potential vendors in the nuclear fuels assessment market. Specific market research actions included a review of NE market knowledge and suggested sources and issuance of a sources sought notice under DE-SOL-0009143 to all businesses. ERI was the only vendor that replied to the sources sought notice. ERI demonstrated it is capable of fulfilling the Government?s requirement. 7)Any other facts supporting this justification: None. 8)Statement of actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made: DOE has limited this task order to three years in order to allow for a timely market research update. Additionally, NE will continue to review the market and consider ways to stimulate more interest in this requirement. The award of this action will be publicized via posting to FedBizOpps in accordance FAR 8.404(g)(2)(i) and FAR 5.301. Additionally, this Limited Sources Justification will be posted in accordance with FAR 8.404(g)(2)(ii).   Reviews The information contained in this Limited Source Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief: [signatures redacted]
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- Record
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