Opportunity: 2018 ANSI MEMBERSHIP

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking the procurement of membership to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This will allow for USGS participation in the ANSI representation to the International Standards Organization (ISO). Period of Performance will be Date of award through 12/31/2018. The USGS Office of Surface Water requires USGS membership and lead roles in the ANSI United States Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for ISO Technical Committee 113-Hydrometry; Chair and secretary positions of ISO TC 113/Subcommittee 5-Equipment, and Chair and Secretary of ISO TC 113/Subcommittee 8-Ground Water. The membership is a continuation of a long-standing membership dating back to the 1960¿s. The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), unless it is contacted by any vendor who believes they can provide the same service. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Nicole Demby (ndemby@usgs.gov) no later than 2:00PM EST, Friday, May 4, 2018 with an affirmative answer. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION STATES THE FOLLOWING PART: The following information is provided to demonstrate the proposed contractor's unique qualifications: ANSI is a unique qualified because it is the only American affiliate of ISO. The USGS has a need to standardize the collection of hydrologic data to permit broader and more effective sharing of hydrologic research and development of better international water-monitoring indices. Better and more consistent international data permits the Government to better manage streamflow across borders and understand hydrologic responses to climate change. The primary standards making body in the world is ISO, in which representatives of various countries collaborate to develop voluntary standards and data definitions. Without this membership the USGS would have no seat at the table when future standards are discussed, risking the possibility of adoption of standards by an international body that might be inconsistent with those of the USGS and possibly complicating the acceptance of our data and its use in international water disputes with Canada or Mexico or the value of the data to international studies of issues pertaining to hydrology such as Global Climate Change. Failure of USGS to participate with ANSI will threaten international public relations and valuable resources and relationships within the scientific community. ANSI is a 50l(c)3 private, not-for-profit organization consisting of representatives of U.S. Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, companies, non­governmental organizations, and individuals who are organized into technical advisory groups to engage similarly organized representatives of other countries to discuss, create, and revise voluntary standards pertaining to various manufacturing, trade, or information products with the goal of promoting the widespread and easy exchange of these products. There are no other alternative vendors. ANSI is the only American affiliate of the ISO. This arrangement is by design and permits the U.S. to speak with one voice, once a consensus has been reached, on a wide variety of topics. USGS does not anticipate competition for this requirement in the future due to the nature of the requirement. However, competition will be obtained on requirements to the maximum extent practical.