1.6.3_D&F_Soliciting Single Source_20-Q-0001.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS 122d FIGHTER WING (ACC)

3005 W. FERGUSON ROAD

FORT WAYNE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IAP), IN 46809-3158

29 July 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

FROM: 122MSG/MSC

SUBJECT: Determination & Findings for Soliciting from a Single Source_W50S7W-20-Q-0001

1. The purpose of this memorandum is to document justification for soliciting from a single source (Anchor Films) in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). I determine that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available based on the findings indicated below.

2. The primary reasons for soliciting from a single source are based on travel costs/schedule flexibility, travel restrictions/risk (i.e. COVID-19), and market capability/production quality.

a. Travel costs/schedule flexibility.

i. Working with a local vendor means that the Government will not incur travel costs during the multiple phases of pre-production, production, and post-production.

This is especially relevant because of the nature of video production scheduling. In order to produce the highest quality finished product, a filming schedule must have flexibility built in to account for unpredictable weather conditions. Without that flexibility, the Government would incur substantial cost and schedule risk based on the possibility of contractor employees needing to travel back and forth until local weather provides ideal filming conditions.

b. Travel restrictions/risk.

i. The unpredictability of COVID-19’s impact on travel restrictions, especially regarding air travel, further increases the risk of contracting with a non-local vendor. Not only may government-imposed travel restrictions impede a production schedule, but a non-local vendor may be traveling from a county/state/region deemed a “hot spot” by government health officials. While Allen County, Indiana may on any given date also be considered a “hot spot,” Indiana state government officials continue to implement strict measures to limit and control the spread of COVID-19 to include strong recommendations to limit travel. Furthermore, federal government officials speak with equally great emphasis on the need to maintain a “ready force” for the purposes of national defense. The scope of this requirement will put hundreds of our military members at increased exposure risk when a vendor traveling from and/or through designated “hot spots” comes into contact with them. I believe that limiting vendors to the local community is an appropriate risk mitigation effort to further support this justification.

c. Market capability/production quality.

i. The subject requirement has been in a planning phase for well over a year to include preliminary discussions with local vendors regarding market capability and cost to provide 3D video production. During this phase, we were able to determine local vendor capabilities and develop a reasonable cost estimate for the scope of work sought. In the relatively small market of Fort Wayne, Indiana, market research revealed a limited number of companies providing video production services, and of those, there are only a few companies who specialize in this niche video production capability. In fact, many of the companies who offer these services do so by subcontracting companies like Anchor Films.

ii. Throughout our review of local capabilities, we determined that Anchor Films has a proven track record of high quality content. They have worked with many local and regional clients who have provided excellent reviews of Anchor’s work. While we cannot with certainty claim that Anchor’s finished work will be better than anyone else in the local community, we do have sufficient reason to trust that it will be on par with the best. Our confidence in their quality combined with the same level of confidence in the cost value they will provide further supports the overall justification to award this project directly to them.

3. In summary, it is my position that opening a solicitation to full and open competition combined with the administrative time and effort to evaluate an unforeseen number of competing proposals and determine contractor responsibility in terms of evaluation factors will not yield cost savings for the Government. For this reason and based on the information stated above, it is my determination that contracting directly with Anchor Films will provide the best value to the Government and I intend to award this contract to them directly.

TRAVIS A. KRAICK, 2d Lt, IN ANG Contracting Officer