04 - JOFOC DRI02042026 V1.1 SS TO2526.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION NATIONAL

NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

TECHNICAL RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

(TREDS II)

MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NUMBER: 89233122CNA000255

January 26, 2026

I. AGENCY IDENTITY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

This action is being taken by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security

Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) (NA-20) and the

Nevada Field Office (NFO). The contracting activity is the NNSA Field Services Team, Field

Services Acquisitions Branch (NA-PAS-313).

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

The purpose of this action is to increase the ceiling for Contract 89233122CNA000255 which provides technical research, engineering and development services in support of DOE, NNSA and NFO missions/objectives. The ceiling increase will allow DNN greater access to the Nevada

System of Higher Education’s [doing business as Desert Research Institute (DRI)] capabilities as defined in the current contract.

III. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES

To support this effort, DRI will be required to provide additional work in the following areas:

Subtask 1 – General NA-22 DNN R&D Mission Support, Subtask 2 – NA-221 Office of

Proliferation Detection Program Support, Subtask 3 – NA-222 Office of Nuclear Detonation

Detection Program Support, Subtask 4 – DNN R&D Nonproliferation Stewardship Program

Support and Subtask 5 – DNN R&D Project Management Support.

The subtasks incorporate requirements of technical research, development, and engineering studies and operational support in a number of distinct areas: subcritical experiment safety; non-proliferation research; radiation safety; geology; hydrology; paleohydrology; meteorology and climatology; environmental protection, remediation, and monitoring; environmental regulatory compliance; cultural resources and historic preservation; atmospheric sciences; radioactive and non- radioactive transport mechanisms; assistance with consultation with Native American tribes; and community outreach assistance in support of DOE/NNSA activities on the Nevada

National Security Site (NNSS), on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) including the

Tonopah Test Range (TTR), and at over 24 community environmental monitoring locations throughout Nevada, Utah, and California. These efforts will help ensure that DOE, NNSA, and

NFO will meet program and regulatory objectives/requirements. The estimated value for this within scope ceiling increase is $3.7M which includes an estimated increase of $800k for CLIN

03001: Option Period 3, and $2.9M for CLIN 04001: Option Period 4.

The total value of the contract will increase from $34,072,387.70 to $37,772,387.70. There is no change to the current contract period of performance.

IV. AUTHORITY

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.103-1 (Class Deviation) entitled “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency

Requirements

V. APPLICATION OF AUTHORITY

DRI has a unique capability to perform the varied technical research, engineering, and development requirements needed by the DOE, NNSA, and the NFO. These requirements which are detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) include a wide range of activities which based on market research are not available from any other single source. In particular, the requirements related to the DNN program are very specialized and involve unique experiments/activities that inform the Nation’s capability to detect nuclear proliferation activities around the world. These activities include, but are not limited to:

• Support objectives relating to DNN projects, including characterization, calibration, geospatial pointing determination, and general state-of- health of all diagnostics, including research, planning, and execution.

• Support developing, identifying, testing, and evaluating emerging technologies, and conducting basic scientific studies for DNN nonproliferation efforts, including research and development of new technologies and support to integrated DNN experiments.

• Provide Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who will remain cognizant of state- of-the-art technologies, to review proposals submitted in support of DNN by the National

Laboratories, Small Business Technology Transfer/Small Business Innovation

Research program, and universities and provide written evaluations; to prepare technical reports; and to provide methodical research advice in preparing technical road maps for implementing DNN goals and objectives. Q clearance access may be required.

• Provide identified diagnostics (e.g., seismic, airborne particulates detection including chemical and radionuclides, anemometers, radio frequency, etc.) and data collection methods to support experiments at the NNSS.

• Research infrared spectroscopy techniques to monitor UF6 gas emissions from nuclear nonproliferation activities. Model and experimentally validate the technique on UF6 and HF detection, leading to a scientific design of a portable apparatus for field use.

Engineer, design, and construct prototype for field testing at a future designated location.

VI. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL SOURCES

This request is to modify the current contract for a ceiling increase. The current contract is about to start its last option period (OP) and additional market research is being conducted for the ongoing effort. The research was accomplished by using GSA “Market Research as a Service”

MRAS, to release an RFI on January 09, 2026, using the current PWS, in conjunction with additional independent review of other enterprise options that NNSA has access to. A review of the information received from the RFI indicated five interested parties. From the five capability statements received it was determined that only the current contractor would be capable of performing the PWS in its entirety. The work being performed is distinct in nature and wide in scope requiring a range of capabilities to accomplish the PWS requirements.

Prior to the original contract, an RFI was released on March 5, 2021, and four Statements of

Interest were received and reviewed. The program conducted independent market research for additional potential sources for this requirement which included entities from the market research for the previous procurement. One company was contacted directly, and they expressed an interest in this requirement and a willingness to provide a capabilities statement. A capabilities statement was received from this company. While it is likely that multiple DOE/NNSA

Management and Operating (M&O) contractors would be capable of performing the PWS, a decision was made by the Government to keep this requirement as a non-M&O requirement due to cost, independence, and other factors.

A further review for potential small businesses was conducted using the Small Business

Administration’s (SBA's) Small Business Dynamic Search tool. Key word searches of small businesses in NAICS Code 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and

Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and the R&D general nature of business revealed that there were no small businesses capable of performing the work described in the PWS in its entirety.

In addition, Sole Source Synopsis 89233121RNA000113 identifying the Government’s intent to award a sole source contract to DRI was posted to Sam.gov and FedConnect on August 23, 2021, and closed September 7, 2021. No companies submitted a response to the Sole Source Synopsis.

There was no other interest shown by either large or small businesses in performing this work

VII. DETERMINATION OF REASONABLENESS OF COST OR PRICE

It is the determination of the Contracting Officer that the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable based on the current prices being used on the contract, as well as a price/cost analysis performed utilizing technical cost analysis; evaluation of Defense Contract Audit Agency

(DCAA) audit results; an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE); historical data; and the continued use of the Task Assignment Clause which requires the government to review and approve the contract tasks plans and estimates each year.

The Contracting Officer will use cost realism analysis, in accordance with FAR 15.404-l(b)(2)(ii), to determine that the proposed cost for each task plan is fair and reasonable.

VIII. MARKET RESEARCH

The current contract is about to start its last OP and additional market research is being conducted for the ongoing effort (See Section VI).

IX. OTHER FACTS

DRI is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. As a state entity, DRI is in a unique position to provide independent data to the public, DOE, and NNSA. DRI has no profit motive, and the State of Nevada has regulatory authority over certain work that DOE and NNSA conducts. This unique position along with their reputation and capability allows DRI to provide information and expert reviews that the public, DOE, and NNSA can rely on.

X. INTERESTED SOURCES

Five Vendors had expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition by submitting Capability

Statements to the published MRAS NOI.

The submitted capabilities statements for each of the vendors indicated they would be able to perform portions of the requirements, but either indicated they were unable to accomplish all of the requirements or they do not have past performance that would meet the PWS scope requirements.

XI. STEPS TO FOSTER COMPETITION

The acquisition for the current DRI contract was a full and open competition; however, DRI submitted the only proposal. Prior to the current contract, this effort was awarded on a sole source basis and had been sole sourced to DRI for 40+ years. NNSA maintains a commitment to ensuring competition when practicable, and, prior to making future procurement decisions related to this requirement, the DNN/NFO will continue to monitor and assess the state of the market in an attempt to identify other capable, responsible sources.

XII. CERTIFICATIONS

Acquisition Initiator/Technical Representative:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Signature Date

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Competition Advocate:

I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this JOFOC does not exceed $20M, this review serves as approval.