Remote Sensing Technical Support in East Africa – Geospatial Information for Development with USAID Projects Globally

REMOTE SENSING TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN EAST AFRICA AND SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH USAID PROJECTS GLOBALLY

Synopsis – Sep 05, 2012

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNM12449250R
Posted Date: Sep 05, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Sep 05, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Sep 19, 2012
Current Response Date: Sep 19, 2012
Classification Code: R — Professional, administrative, and mgmt support services
NAICS Code: 611310

Contracting Office Address

NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

Description

NASA/MSFC has a requirement for Remote Sensing Technical Support in East Africa and support and guidance on the use of Geospatial Information for development with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects globally. This procurement is to support the effective collaboration between NASA and USAID on the SERVIR-Global project. As SERVIR expands geographically and in complexity, it is critical proper coordination of planning and execution be maintained. To this end, the integration of USAID Headquarters operations into the activities in Huntsville is paramount. The activities associated with this procurement will build upon established relationships and use firsthand experience to assist MSFC successfully complete the SERVIR project.

NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from West Virginia University. Competition is impractical for the following reasons:

1. West Virginia University (WVU) has very specific skills set that no other organization can fulfill. This procurement is a continuation of activities which were directly contracted from USAID to WVU for management support to the USAID SERVIR Program office in Washington, DC. More significantly, it is a continuation of support for the expansion of the SERVIR Program both geographically and in terms of additional contractors. The management support for the Program Office in Washington, DC was an investment of at least $100,000. This initial investment made it possible for the expansion to be conceivable and directly contributed to the growth of the Program. Award to any other entity would result in duplication of start-up costs and a lost investment in time, approximately one year that would not be recovered through competition and would fail to leverage the synergy and cost savings of WVU’s experience.

2. WVU has recently supported the position of Science and Technology Policy advisor to USAID for the SERVIR program. WVU has an intricate knowledge not only of the detailed daily management and operation of SERVIR, but also the requirements of the program from the USAID side of the partnership. Therefore, there is no other known organization, other than USAID, who understands the management and reporting requirements of SERVIR. WVU’s knowledge of the USAID perspective, reporting requirements, and management team for SERVIR makes them highly valuable to NASA.

3. WVU is uniquely qualified given their skill set and past experiences. WVU has worked in sub-Saharan Africa for 15 years on tasks similar to those needed by the SERVIR program. Specifically, assisting developing countries establish Geographic Information System centers. WVU has collaborated with the University of Limpopo (South Africa), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa; formerly the University of Durban-Westville) and the Catholic University of Mozambique (Beira, MZ) to establish centers that perform analysis of development issues using GIS.

4. WVU conducts research in user needs in the use of GIS in international development and has published the results of these studies in the scientific literature. Most importantly, WVU has been able to translate this academic research into meaningful policy advice for USAID. While there might be other qualified organizations in this research area, we know of none who have translated their work into policy and project implementation as successfully as WVU.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html .

Point of Contact

Name: Iris Walter
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: 256-961-7054
Fax: 256-961-7148
Email: Iris.R.Walter@nasa.gov

Name: Belinda F Triplett
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 256-961-7650
Fax: 256-961-7524
Email: belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov