Justification For Other than Full and Open Competition - 2025 Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center Internet Services Firm Fixed Price Contract

United States Department of Energy

Justification For Other than Full and Open Competition

2025 Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center Internet Services

Firm Fixed Price Contract

1. Contracting Activity: The United States Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Environmental Management (EM) Consolidated Business Center (CBC) located in Cincinnati, OH, intends to issue a Firm Fixed Price contract through other than full and open competition to Crown Castle Fiber, LLC (Crown Castle) a limited liability corporation incorporated in the state of New York, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1.

2. Nature and Description of Action: The DOE EMCBC office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The EMCBC provides business, technical, and project oversight support to the DOE EM from the Cincinnati office and from other satellite offices and sites located throughout the continental United States. This contract will provide Internet service to the EMCBC main office location as required with the option to upgrade service if necessary. The EMCBC main office is in need of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide Internet services and support.

The basis for limiting the sources for this acquisition is FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(i), which authorizes other than full and open competition when the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source.

3. Description of Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: DOE EMCBC needs a dedicated internet service provider capable of providing unrestricted internet access from a “last mile provider”. This service is in support of the EMCBC mission and is required for all office operations to continue.

This work scope is expected to result in a base period of performance of one (1) year, with four (4) option years. The value of this contract including options is $156,000.00.

4. Statutory Authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition: The authority for this proposed action is 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1), and FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(i). These sections provide justification that full and open competition need not be provided for when it is necessary to award the contract and there is only one responsible source capable of meeting the agency needs.

5. Unique Contractor Qualifications: Crown Castle is the current incumbent contractor coming off of a successful four (4) year contract. Not only has their performance and services been exemplary, but they are also the only internet service provided utilized by the EMCBC to comply with all requirements of the Statement of Work, contract clauses, and invoice billing requirements.

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6. Efforts to Solicit Additional Sources:

The EMCBC posted an RFQ on GSA eBUY (RFQ ID: RFQ1731574), which ran from 29 October 2024 through 14 November 2024. Ten (10) small business vendors were solicited, and no quotes were received. Following the GSA eBUY solicitation, an RFQ was issued on NASA SEWP (RFQ #329415) which ran from 20 November 2024 through 03 December 2024. This was solicited as a small business set aside to all available contract holders on NASA SEWP. One (1) quote was received from Enterprise Technology Solutions, but their quote did follow the specifications of the SOW and was rejected for being a reseller. Altafiber (a local internet provider) was contacted directly to provide a quote on 04 December 2024. No response was provided.

7. Other Facts to Support the Determination: In additional to the above, Crown Castle is the only internet service provider utilized by the EMCBC to comply with all aspects of the required Statement of Work and established billing requirements.

8. Determination of Reasonable Price: The total value of the contract is $156,000.00 with a one (1) year base period of performance and four (4) option years. The price quote was evaluated using one or more of the techniques defined in FAR Part 15 in order to determine whether it was fair, reasonable, and complete. Reasonableness is established through cost and price analysis techniques as described in FAR Subpart 15.404. A comparison of the proposed price with costs or prices for similar services, especially those currently performing internet service provider services for contracts with DOE, was performed to ensure the price was fair and reasonable.

9. Market Research: In additional to the solicitation efforts noted above, the GSA Enterprise Infrastructure Services Master Contract was researched to determine if it would be a better vehicle for the EMCBC needs. It was determined the additional costs, GSA fees, and administrative overhead did not justify its use. As the current incumbent contractor with a history of successful service to the EMCBC, Crown Castle is the best value to the government.

10. Listing of Interested Sources: A Notice of Intent was posted to Sam.gov on 19 February, 2025 in accordance with FAR 5.203(a).

11. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition: The Government will continue to look for possible other experts for future requirements, and ensure competition is executed to the maximum extent practicable.