477. B03_Consolidation D&F_Ops_Teams_Final.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Determination and Findings (D&F)

Authority to Consolidate Contract Requirements Solicitation Number: 12314426Q0100

Rev. 4/9/26

This D&F is prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 7.107-2 (a) to support a consolidated acquisition over $2M.

FINDINGS

1. Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requesting Activity Agency: FPAC

Contracting Activity: OCP-POD

2. Acquisition Information:

Solicitation/Contract/Order Number 12314426Q0100 Period of Performance 07/01/2026-06/30/2031 Estimated Total Amount $44,065,708.98

3. Description of the Requirement: The requirement consolidates the ongoing requirement for

AWS cloud operational support services that currently sustain approximately 400 business applications. Historically, the network services were fulfilled using four separate contracts.

These contracts contained overlapping and related requirements. Market research determines that the consolidation of these commercially available services would result in significant cost savings, reducing administrative burden, and improved mission support.

The proposed consolidation includes the following scope of work:

Contractor Contract Number Base Year Value

Base Year + 4 Option Periods

Business Size

Tista Science & Technology (Fig)

12314422F0363 $8,003,038.98 $62,741,538.98 Large

AT-Impact LLC (Cypress)

12314422F0720 $7,355,821.05 $52,353,567.94 Large

Alpha Omega Integration LLC (Rowan)

12314422F0596 $3,222,720.16 $25,414,090.35 Large

Centennial Technologies

12314423F0695 $2,660,496.00 $10,195,509.60 Small, 8a, Hubzone

$21,242,076.19 $160,877,095.17

4. Selection of Acquisition Strategy

a. Market Research Summary: Market research included a review of multiple federal and USDA acquisition channels, including the GSA Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), the USDA Sustainment Operations of Applications Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the USDA STRATUS Pool 2 Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) vendors, and the NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC). STRATUS Pool 2 includes a broad base of qualified vendors, with 21 small and 15 other-than-small businesses responding, demonstrating robust competition consistent with USDA cloud procurement policy requirements. USDA Departmental Regulation DR-3650-001 requires mandatory consideration of STRATUS cloud acquisition vehicles. The STRATUS program is further characterized as a preferred and modernized cloud acquisition platform designed to support federal agencies with scalable cloud solutions, per USDA cloud policy and vendor program descriptions. STRATUS’s competitive structure and wide vendor base are documented benefits, including rapid access to cloud capabilities and maximized contractor competition. Compared with other acquisition pathways reviewed, specifically GSA POLARIS, USDA’s Sustainment Operations of Applications BPA, and NITAAC, the STRATUS BOA offers the most targeted alignment with USDA’s cloud governance framework, providing cost optimization, streamlined ordering, and defined compliance with USDA IT policy.

STRATUS is consistently identified as the preferred next-in-priority solution when internal BPA options either do not apply or do not provide equivalent technical breadth or capacity. Given the documented vendor diversity within STRATUS Pools, especially Pool 2, which includes dozens of awardees across the small business track as demonstrated in publicly posted award information, this acquisition vehicle ensures ample competitive opportunity for small businesses, aligning with USDA small-business utilization goals. Based on these findings, the contracting officer can be assured that utilizing STRATUS will provide a highly competitive environment with meaningful small business participation and represents the most efficient and policy-aligned acquisition strategy for this requirement.

b. Alternative Contracting Approaches: If the projected efficiencies and cost savings are not realized, the USDA could transition to individual contracts to cover the requirement.

This alternative may be less advantageous as it results in increased administrative burden, firewall and network security risks, higher costs and reduced efficiency.

c. Coordination: The determination has been coordinated with the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office.

d. Impact on Small Business: This acquisition will be set aside for small businesses, ensuring continued opportunities for small business participation, mitigating the risk that consolidation could otherwise concentrate work among larger contractors. The USDA has taken significant steps to ensure minimal disruption to small businesses while achieving substantial cost savings through consolidation. This approach balances the need for efficiency with the commitment to supporting small businesses. By leveraging the STRATUS Pool 2 small business track, the USDA creates a competitive environment that encourages innovation and cost-effectiveness among participating vendors. This strategy underscores the importance of a collaborative relationship between the government and small businesses, fostering growth and maintaining high-quality service delivery.

5. Benefits of Consolidations

a. The consolidation was justified in accordance with FAR 7.107-1 and FAR 7.107-2.

By consolidating these requirements, the Government anticipates projected efficiencies. Consolidation reduces duplicative efforts, eliminates technical debt, strengthens security, and ensures consistent best‑practice implementation across all Mission Areas. The approach improves management efficiency, operational reliability, and accountability by using a single contractor coordination framework.

Pricing will be firm-fixed price under a level-of-effort task order structure. Labor categories and planned staffing levels (e.g., 1,920 hours per FTE per year) are used to assess the technical approach; however, invoicing will be based solely on fixed monthly CLIN prices, which represent the agreed-upon level of effort and defined outcomes. Payments will not be tied to hours expended but to the contractor’s delivery of the specified effort, outcomes, and service levels.

b. Cost Savings or Price Reductions:

IGCE for Proposed Consolidated Effort Base 07/01/2026-06/30/2027: $8,300,560.00

OP1 07/01/2027-06/30/2028: $8,549,276.80

OP2 07/01/2028-06/30/2029: $8,805,455.10

OP3 07/01/2029-06/30/2030: $9,069,318.76

OP4 07/01/2030-06/30/2031: $9,341,098.32

Base + 4 OPs: $44,065,708.98

Historical Pricing (Annual Total Four Contracts):

Base $21,242,076.19

OP1 $37,082,594.08

OP2 $36,295,793.73

OP3 $27,605,111.41

OP4 $12,827,620.22

Base + 4Ops $160,877,095.17

The costs across all four contracts were compared to the consolidated effort IGCE of $44,065,708.98 for a base plus four option periods resulting in a total quantifiable savings of $116,811,386.19 (72.6%).

The IGCE was developed using historical pricing and General Services Administration (GSA) labor rates mapped to the requirement outlined in the consolidated Performance Work Statement (PWS).

6. Quality Improvements that will save time or enhance performance or efficiency: A single consolidated procurement reduces workload and administrative duplication compared to four separate contracts. A single procurement cycle produces a single award structure and standardized tasking framework, reducing future ordering lead time.

7. Reduction in acquisition lead time: A single consolidate procurement aligns the period of performance and offers an opportunity to use an established basic BOA with defined compliance with USDA IT policy, standardized tasking framework and reduced future ordering lead time.

8. Terms and Conditions: Consolidation allows USDA to apply a single, consistent set of security, SLAs, governance, and reporting requirements across all 400 applications, aligning with enterprise needs. Reduced variance in contractor performance with a single prime to meet consistent obligations rather than different vendors operating under different clauses

9. Other Benefits: Consolidation improves mission support by removing duplication and strengthening operational continuity. By consolidating under an acquisition vehicle that maintains competitive vendor pools the USDA ensures multiple small businesses can propose and participate. One contract requires one set of reviews, COR oversight structures, performance tracking, and reporting cycles rather than four.

10. The total benefits quantified in dollar amounts are: a savings of $106,638,997.89 for the aggregate contract value.

11. Substantial Financial Benefit Determination

☒ The estimated value of the contract is $94 million or less and the anticipated financial benefits are equivalent to 10% or more of the total contract value, including options.

☐ The estimated value of the contract, including all options, exceeds $94 million, and the anticipated financial benefits are the greater of either 5% of the estimated contract value or $9.4 million.

☐ The financial benefits do not meet the thresholds in FAR7.107-3(d). However, they are critical to the agency’s mission success.

12. The draft notification to the public required in FAR 7.107-3 (b) is attached for review and approval. The Contracting Officer will post the approved notification to the Government Point of Entry no less than seven (7) days after approval of this D&F. All other required notifications in FAR 7.103-3 will be issued within the required timelines and no solicitation will be issued until the approved timeframe after required notifications.

Authority to Consolidate Contract Requirements Solicitation Number: 12314426Q0100

Rev. 4/9/26

DETERMINATION

Based on the above facts, I determine that in accordance with FAR 7.107-2 consolidation of the above referenced requirements provides measurably substantial benefits and is necessary and justified.

Submitted by:

Mary Woodin Contracting Officer

Reviewed by:

1. The required review has been completed. Resulting comments, if any, have been satisfactorily addressed. The package may be forwarded to the Branch Chief/Procurement Analyst for further review.

RYAN Digitally signed by RYAN

SCRIVNER

Date: 2026.05.06 10:11:03 SCRIVNER -06'00'________________________________________

Ryan Scrivner Level Above Contracting Officer

2. The required review has been completed. Resulting comments, if any, have been satisfactorily addressed. The package may be forwarded to the Chief of the Contracting Office (COCO) for further review.

VICTORIA

BACA________________________________________

Victoria Baca

3. The required review has been completed. Resulting comments, if any, have been satisfactorily addressed. The package may be forwarded to the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) for further review.

Digitally signed by

VICTORIA BACA

Date: 2026.05.07 15:54:21 -06'00'

JOSHUA

TAFOYA________________________________________

Joshua Tafoya

COCO

4. The required review has been completed. Resulting comments, if any, have been satisfactorily addressed. The package may be forwarded to the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) for further review and approval.

Craig Harper Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) (acting)

Approved by:

Hilary Erickson Senior Procurement Executive

Digitally signed by

JOSHUA TAFOYA

Date: 2026.05.07 15:56:30 -06'00'

Streamlined Market Research/Acquisition Plan

Source Selection Information-See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 Rev. 3/10/26

1. Acquisition Information

Program/Project Title/IT Investment: FPAC IT Operation Teams & Support Requisition Number:

Requirements Planning Tool Number: FY26-007585 Identify Acquisition Approval Request (AAR) status: Submitted - Approved AAR Number(s), if known: 0001923 Estimated Dollar Value (including all options): Base: $8,300,560.00;

Base + 4Ops: $44,065,708.98 Period of Performance/Required Delivery Date: 07/01/2026-06/30/2031 Date(s) Market Research was conducted: March 13 & April 6, 2026 Product Service Code (PSC): PSC: DA01; NAICS 541519 Type of Procurement Competitive

A. Statement of Need/Requirement Description ☒ Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work/Other Requirements document is attached.

The primary purpose of this commercial, non-personal services contract is to ensure efficient, secure, reliable, and modernized operations of the agency's commercial cloud environment supporting approximately 400 business applications.

The overall objective of this task is to introduce efficiencies in operations, align best practices across all Mission Areas, and consolidate duplicative practices and eliminate historical technical debt. All operation tasks shall follow a common, consistent approach to implementing efficiencies.

B. Acquisition Background and History ☐ New Requirement ☒ Follow-on/Previous Contracts.

☐ Other: Provide explanation.

Current/Prior Contract Number Contractor Contract Type Competitive or

Sole Source Set-Aside Type

12314422F0363 Tista Science & Technology (Fig)

Firm-Fixed Price Competitive Delivery Order

SDVOSB

12314422F0720 AT-Impact LLC (Cypress)

NA

12314422F0596 Alpha Omega Integration LLC (Rowan)

NA

12314423F0695 Centennial Technologies (Buckeye)

Firm-Fixed Price Full and Open Competition after exclusion of sources

Hubzone

C. Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) IGCE was developed using historical purchases made for the same or similar services and by using the GSA Acquisition Hallway Pricing Tool and using GSA median market rates aligned with key capabilities and labor categories (LCATs) for the anticipated contractor team supporting the PWS scope and incorporates https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 https://psctool.us/home anticipated costs from current work being performed. CLINs will be tied to each program area and funded according to their specific tasks/platforms

Base 07/01/2026-06/30/2027: $8,300,560.00

OP1 07/01/2027-06/30/2028: $8,549,276.80

OP2 07/01/2028-06/30/2029: $8,805,455.10

OP3 07/01/2029-06/30/2030: $9,069,318.76

OP4 07/01/2030-06/30/2031: $9,341,098.32

Base + 4 Ops: $44,065,708.98

2. Market Research

A. Participants in Market Research Add/delete rows as necessary.

Program/Technical Staff Paul Done and Eric Wedieman Contracting Officer’s Representative Jamell Mejia Contracting Officer Mary Kay Woodin Other NA

B. Market Research Techniques Check all Market Research techniques that were utilized for this Acquisition. Attach all results (e.g., website info, catalogs).

Sources ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Supplies - Searched USDA Inventory ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Supplies - Searched Excess from other Agencies ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Supplies - Searched Federal Prison Industries ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Searched Ability One Products or AbilityOne Services ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched USDA-Wide Contracts ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA IT Procurements – Reviewed the NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement

(NASA SEWP)

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA IT Procurements – Reviewed the NIH Information Technology Acquisition and

Assessment Center (NITAAC) ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA IT Procurements - Reviewed GSA’s Governmentwide Contracts (STARS, VETS, Alliant, etc.)

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched other IT contracts listed in the Category Management Buying Guide ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched GSA Advantage! and/or GSA E-Library.

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched System for Award Management (SAM).

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched the internet, utilized Artificial Intelligence tools, and/or reviews of published catalog or literature. Provide website/catalog info ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Utilized Procurement Co-Pilot.

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Utilized GSA’s Market Research as a Service (MRAS).

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Searched SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search Tool.

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Consulted the Agency Small Business Coordinator.

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Interviewed knowledgeable individuals in industry/government. (Provide name and dates) ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Reviewed Professional Journals. (Provide information) https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/departmental-administration/office-operations-oo/material-management-service-center https://ppms.gov/login https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp#:%7E:text=With%20a%20few%20limited%20exceptions,Department%20of%20Agriculture https://www.abilityone.gov/procurement_list/product_list.html https://www.abilityone.gov/procurement_list/services_list.html https://intranet.usda.gov/user-guides/usda-wide-contracts https://www.sewp.nasa.gov/ https://nitaac.nih.gov/ https://nitaac.nih.gov/ https://www.gsa.gov/technology/it-contract-vehicles-and-purchasing-programs/gwacs#gwac-dashboards https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/page_file_uploads/category-management-buying-guide.pdf https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advantage/main/start_page.do https://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/home.do https://sam.gov/ https://acquisitiongateway.gov/procurementcopilot https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/customer-and-stakeholder-engagement/market-research-as-a-service http://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/small-business-specialists.pdf

Sources ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Reviewed previous purchases of similar/identical acquisitions. (See contract history) ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Other - Provide Information:

Would you like to Request any of the following from Contracting?

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Interactive Q&A Sessions (ensure Contracting Staff are involved).

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA One-on-One Vendor Sessions (ensure Contracting Staff are involved).

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Capability Demonstrations (ensure Contracting Staff are involved).

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Reverse Industry Day (ensure Contracting Staff are involved).

☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ NA Sources Sought Synopsis or RFI.

☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ NA Site Visit

C. Sources ☒ Consistent with FAR 10.0001, the contracting officer conducted market research appropriate to the circumstances prior to drafting the requirement and before soliciting offers above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Activities include: examination of GSA POLARIS – Information Technology Services; USDA Sustainment Operations of Applications BPA; USDA STRATUS Pool 2 small business track awardees; NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center.

An RFI was conducted on GSA eBuy under 1800515 on March 13, 2026, ending March 18, 2026. 89 responses were received.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 https://acquisitiongateway.gov/periodic-table/resources/4933?_a%5Eg_nid=12156 https://acquisitiongateway.gov/periodic-table/resources/4933?_a%5Eg_nid=12095 https://acquisitiongateway.gov/periodic-table/resources/4933?_a%5Eg_nid=22752 https://acquisitiongateway.gov/periodic-table/resources/4933?_a%5Eg_nid=12158

USDA Sustainment Operations of Applications BPA was reviewed reflecting the following business sizes.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0

STRATUS Pool 2 small business track with 21 contractors was reviewed.

BOA Holder BOA # Accelera Solutions Inc. 12314424G0015 Agiliko, LLC 12314424G0017 Appddiction Synergy Labs, LLC 12314424G0018 Aquia Nava II LLC 12314424G0019 ASSYST, Inc. 12314424G0020 AtechGov LLC 12314424G0021 AttainX SHR LLC 12314424G0022 BridgePhase LLC 12314424G0024 Easy Dynamics Corporation 12314424G0028 Epsilon, Inc. 12314424G0029 Inonde, LLC 12314424G0033 ITCON Services, LLC 12314424G0034 Koniag Technology Solutions, Inc. 12314424G0035 LightFront, LLC 12314424G0037 MetaPhase Consulting, LLC 12314424G0039 Plus3 IT Systems, LLC 12314424G0042 Pulsebyte, LLC 12314424G0043 TechTrend, Inc. 12314424G0047 Vision Cove Solutions LLC 12314424G0049 VivSoft Technologies LLC 12314424G0050

NIH NITAAC was also reviewed reflecting the socio-economic breakdown below.

D. Market Research Results

Market research included a review of multiple federal and USDA acquisition channels, including the GSA Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), the USDA Sustainment Operations of Applications Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the USDA STRATUS Pool 2 Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) vendors, and the NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC).

STRATUS Pool 2 includes a broad base of qualified vendors, with 21 small and 15 other-than-small businesses responding, demonstrating robust competition consistent with USDA cloud procurement policy https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 requirements. USDA Departmental Regulation DR-3650-001 requires mandatory consideration of STRATUS cloud acquisition vehicles. The STRATUS program is further characterized as a preferred and modernized cloud acquisition platform designed to support federal agencies with scalable cloud solutions, per USDA cloud policy and vendor program descriptions. STRATUS’s competitive structure and wide vendor base are documented benefits, including rapid access to cloud capabilities and maximized contractor competition.

Compared with other acquisition pathways reviewed, specifically GSA POLARIS, USDA’s Sustainment Operations of Applications BPA, and NITAAC, the STRATUS BOA offers the most targeted alignment with USDA’s cloud governance framework, providing cost optimization, streamlined ordering, and defined compliance with USDA IT policy. STRATUS is consistently identified as the preferred next-in-priority solution when internal BPA options either do not apply or do not provide equivalent technical breadth or capacity.

Given the documented vendor diversity within STRATUS Pools, especially Pool 2, which includes dozens of awardees across the small business track as demonstrated in publicly posted award information, this acquisition vehicle ensures ample competitive opportunity for small businesses, aligning with USDA small-business utilization goals.

Based on these findings, the contracting officer can be assured that utilizing STRATUS will provide a highly competitive environment with meaningful small business participation and represents the most efficient and policy-aligned acquisition strategy for this requirement.

3. Acquisition Planning

A. Competition ☒ Yes ☐ No Does competition exist for this requirement? Commercial Item Determination

☒ Market Research found this requirement to be a commercial product or commercial service.

☐ The requirement can only be satisfied by a non-developmental (non-commercial) item.

☐ This requirement is for Architect-Engineer Services; therefore, it is considered non-commercial.

B. Buy American Requirements

☐ N/A This acquisition is less than the micro-purchase threshold.

☒ N/A This acquisition is not for supplies or construction.

☒ N/A This acquisition is for a commercial Information Technology product.

C. Inherently Governmental Requirements

☐ NA - This acquisition is for supplies.

☒ FAR 7.503(c) was reviewed for examples of functions generally considered inherently governmental and FAR 7.503(d) was reviewed for examples of functions generally not considered inherently governmental.

None of the functions to be performed in this contract action are inherently governmental. Any closely related to inherently governmental functions will be closely monitored to ensure they do not encroach upon inherently governmental functions.

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D. Accountable Real or Personal Property

☐ Yes ☒ No Does this acquisition include the purchase of supplies or equipment including all items with a unit acquisition cost of $5K or more, or any item valued less than $5K, but considered sensitive property.

E. List of Sustainable Products

☐ Yes ☒ No Do any sustainable products apply to this acquisition

F. Other Considerations

☒ Government Furnished Property will be provided.

☐ Government Furnished Information will be provided.

☐ Contractor will have access to Sensitive or Classified Information.

☐ Contractor(s) will require routine or long-term access to a Federal Facility.

☐ Delivery of Technical Data is required.

☐ Special testing or First Article approval is required.

☐ Will Artificial Intelligence be used in the performance of this requirement? (See AGAR part 39 for required provisions and clauses.)

☐ Special packaging or shipping requirements are required.

☐ Contractor support is required for this acquisition, to include planning the acquisition, developing requirements documents, evaluating proposals, etc.

☐ This will be a lease.

☐ Other ☐ None of these apply.

Government furnished laptops and PIV card will need to be issued for contractors

G. COR Nomination or IPP Approver

• ☒ COR Nomination Memo is enclosed – Name of expected COR: Jamell Mejia

H. Additional Information

4. Contracting Strategy

A. Mandatory Source Availability All mandatory sources of supply and services were reviewed and none of the mandatory sources identified are able to meet the Government’s Requirement.

Supplies - FAR 8.103 and 8.104 - ☒ NA - Not a supply.

Services - FAR 8.102 - ☐ NA - Not a service.

Other Mandatory Sources - FAR 8.101 - ☒ NA - This is a supply or service.

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B. Source Determination

1. ☐ Yes ☒ No Are supplies/services available from a mandatory source? If they are available, provide information on the source (include contract numbers, websites, etc.). If it’s a Category Management Solution, include the name of the contract and state whether it’s mandatory or not.

2. If the item is available from a mandatory/preferred source, but award will be made to another source, provide an explanation of why the mandatory source cannot be utilized.

There are two internal sources. STRATUS is the only vehicle that will ensure competition among small businesses.

3. The requirement will be satisfied by using the following non-mandatory source:

☐ Federal Supply Schedule (e.g., GSA) ☒ Other Government contract: STRATUS POOL 2 ☐ Interagency Agreement ☐ Commercial Marketplace

C. Contract Type

1. The contract vehicle for this acquisition will be: Order against a Basic Ordering Agreement

2. ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐NA If your contract type is Definite-Quantity, Requirements, Indefinite Quantity, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity, Blanket Purchase Agreement, or Basic Ordering Agreement does this plan cover all task/delivery orders or calls that will be placed against the parent contract?

3. ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐NA Options - Based on the information available, I hereby determine that inclusion of options in this contract is in the best interest of the Government. The requirement represents a continuing need for the supplies/services, and there is a high probability the options will be exercised to ensure uninterrupted support and maintain continuity of operations. The inclusion of options provides administrative efficiency and allows the Government to maintain effective oversight while preserving flexibility in contract performance. None of the conditions listed in FAR 17.201-1(c) that would make options inappropriate apply.

4. The contract pricing for this acquisition will be: Firm-Fixed Price

D. Acquisition Procedures

What Acquisition Procedures will be used for this requirement? FAR Part 16 - IDIQ/GWAC/Other

E. Evaluation Procedures

What evaluation procedures will be used for this requirement? Comparative Evaluation of Quotations https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advantage/ws/main/start_page?store=ADVANTAGE

☐ Yes ☒ No Past performance will be evaluated. The requirement is well defined, low-risk and can be objectively evaluated based on price and other non-past performance factors without compromising the Government’s ability to determine best value.

F. Set-Aside

What North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code will be used for this action? 541519 – Other Computer Related Services

Type of Business

USDA

Contracts

STRATUS

GSA POLARIS

/ SIN 54151S

RFI 1800276

Other (NIH

NITAAC)

Small Business (SB) 21 21 308 HubZone 3 8 22 Service-Disabled Veteran Owned SB 2 10 52 Women-Owned SB (WOSB) 4 14 22 Economically Disadvantaged WOSB NA 11 NA

8a/ANC 6 24 124 Large Business 15 20 NA

Totals 36 108 528

☒ This acquisition will be set-aside for: 100% Small Business Set-Aside

☐ The small business set-aside has been dissolved; therefore, the acquisition will be 100% full and open.

G. Bundling/Consolidation/Substantial Bundling ☒ Yes ☐ No This requirement is greater than $2M and combines two or more requirements for supplies or services that were previously provided under separate smaller contracts.

H. Contracting Officer’s Commercial Product or Service Determination Based on the results of the market research, I have determined that this is a Commercial acquisition.

The Supplies/Services will be purchased as follows (in descending order of priority ☐ An existing governmentwide contract ☐ Requirements will be modified and purchased from an existing government-wide contract.

☒ Another source ☐ A commercial product/service will be modified to meet the agency’s requirements and purchased from another source.

☐ The procurement will be non-developmental (non-commercial). Waiver required.

I. Made in America Waiver (Check One) ☒ Made in America Waiver is not required.

☐ Made in America Waiver is required to be signed by COCO (over MPT to $25K).

☐ Made in America Waiver is required to be signed by HCA (over $25K).

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J. Other Contractual Considerations

☐ Yes ☒ No Will the acquisition be a multiple-award indefinite-quantity or indefinite-delivery contract in accordance with FAR 16.504-3 ☒ Yes ☐ No This acquisition will use multiyear contracting, options, or other special contracting methods (see FAR 17).

☒ Yes ☐ No Will acquisition require special clauses, special solicitation provisions, or are FAR/AGAR deviations required.

☒ Yes ☐ No Will this acquisition be performance based to include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) and a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)?

☐ Yes ☒ No Does this acquisition require the submittal of certified cost or pricing data ☒ Yes ☐ No Does this acquisition require cost analysis and/or cost realism to determine a fair and reasonable price? Cost analysis will be used.

☐ Yes ☒ No Will this acquisition result in an Enterprise-Wide vehicle for use across all of USDA?

☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A (Not a Multiple Award Contract/BPA) Is an On-Ramp contemplated for this acquisition?

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-2%23FAR_2_101&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EDjmI7JcMA4AJ7BX9ZfcpLO8jifZpY7Xgjq2SPvaB0E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2Fpart-3%23FAR_3_104&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce5d5cce8f933400bd72f08db20e0ee32%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638139922658347366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JkGHWil06xZIi7kYezvqEjSNGK7Mt3R0lOMu9JPItnA%3D&reserved=0 https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-16#FAR_16_504_3

Source Selection Information-See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 Rev. 3/10/26

Role When are Signatures Required? Name Digital Signature Submitter- Requiring/Program Office POC/COR

All Jamell Mejia

Requiring Agency Senior Executive or

GS-15

Services - over $9M

Interagency Agreements (New or Modification) for assisted acquisitions - any dollar value.

Bridge Actions of any type and length - any dollar value.

Mission Area Senior Program Manager

All Over $50M

NA NA

Deputy Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO)

All IT Purchases

Jerry Hagedorn

Contract Specialist All Mary Kay Woodin

Contracting Officer All Mary Kay Woodin

Level Above CO

All - over $9M

Ryan Scrivner

Branch Chief/Procurement Analyst (must be 1102)

Victoria Baca

Mary Kathleen Woodin

Digitally signed by Mary Kathleen Woodin Date: 2026.04.14 16:16:44 -06'00'

JAMELL MEJIA

Digitally signed by JAMELL

MEJIA

Date: 2026.04.14 16:25:22 -06'00'

PAULA

MORRI

S

Digitally signed by PAULA

MORRIS

Date:

2026.04.17 12:45:16 -05'00'

GERALD

HAGEDORN

GERALD HAGEDORN

Date: 2026.04.19 08:41:01 -05'00'

RYAN

SCRIVNER

RYAN SCRIVNER

Date: 2026.04.22 10:59:24 -06'00'

VICTOR

IA BACA

VICTORIA BACA

14:52:47 -06'00'

Source Selection Information-See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 Rev. 3/10/26

Role When are Signatures Required? Name Digital Signature

Chief of the Contracting Office

Josh Tafoya

Head of the Contracting Activity

All over $50M

Craig Harper

JOSHUA

TAFOYA

JOSHUA TAFOYA

20:54:17 -06'00'

1. Acquisition Information

A. Statement of Need/Requirement Description

B. Acquisition Background and History

C. Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)

2. Market Research

A. Participants in Market Research

B. Market Research Techniques

C. Sources

D. Market Research Results

3. Acquisition Planning

A. Competition

B. Buy American Requirements

C. Inherently Governmental Requirements

D. Accountable Real or Personal Property

E. List of Sustainable Products

F. Other Considerations

G. COR Nomination or IPP Approver

H. Additional Information

4. Contracting Strategy

A. Mandatory Source Availability

Supplies - FAR 8.103 and 8.104 - ☒ NA - Not a supply.

Services - FAR 8.102 - ☐ NA - Not a service.

Other Mandatory Sources - FAR 8.101 - ☒ NA - This is a supply or service.

B. Source Determination

C. Contract Type

D. Acquisition Procedures

E. Evaluation Procedures

F. Set-Aside

G. Bundling/Consolidation/Substantial Bundling

H. Contracting Officer’s Commercial Product or Service Determination

I. Made in America Waiver

J. Other Contractual Considerations

477. A06_Acq_Plan_Consolidated_Ops_Teams_v2.1_20260204.pdf

1. Acquisition Information

A. Statement of Need/Requirement Description

B. Acquisition Background and History

C. Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)

2. Market Research

A. Participants in Market Research

B. Market Research Techniques

C. Sources

D. Market Research Results

3. Acquisition Planning

A. Competition

B. Buy American Requirements

C. Inherently Governmental Requirements

D. Accountable Real or Personal Property

E. List of Sustainable Products

F. Other Considerations

G. COR Nomination or IPP Approver

H. Additional Information

4. Contracting Strategy

A. Mandatory Source Availability

Supplies - FAR 8.103 and 8.104 - ☒ NA - Not a supply.

Services - FAR 8.102 - ☐ NA - Not a service.

Other Mandatory Sources - FAR 8.101 - ☒ NA - This is a supply or service.

B. Source Determination

C. Contract Type

D. Acquisition Procedures

E. Evaluation Procedures

F. Set-Aside

G. Bundling/Consolidation/Substantial Bundling

H. Contracting Officer’s Commercial Product or Service Determination

I. Made in America Waiver

J. Other Contractual Considerations

2026-05-19T07:40:36-0500

CRAIG HARPER

Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC)

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Cloud Platform Operations and

Modernization Support Services

Table of Contents

Project

FPAC Business Center Cloud Platform Operations and Modernization Support Services

Background and Purpose

1.1 Background

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership in food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and nutrition, guided by sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management practices.

USDA drives economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America thrive; promotes sustainable agricultural production to nourish Americans and feed populations worldwide; and conserves the Nation’s natural resources through forest restoration, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

USDA is comprised of Departmental Management (DM) offices, Mission Areas (MA), and Agencies, with employees located across the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside CONUS (OCONUS).

USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (FBC) provides enterprise solutions for mission support activities including information technology, financial management, human resources, acquisition, property management, and related business and administrative processes to improve customer service at the mission area level. FPAC operates a multi-mission Government agency environment with approximately 400 business applications inclusive of 1100+ services supporting these applications. These may be hosted in either a commercial cloud or on-premise data centers including existing mainframe workloads. All FPAC-approved technologies for these workloads are within scope and supported.

Current challenges include the need for standardized deployment practices across delivery teams, sustained support for ongoing application modernization efforts led by other teams, proactive security event management, and continuous optimization of cost, performance, and security. Contracted services are sought to establish a unified approach to automated application deployments, enable platform evolution, ensure compliance with federal security guidelines, and provide responsive support for immediate operational needs while prioritizing approved Amazon Web Services (AWS).

1.2 Purpose

The primary purpose of this commercial, non-personal services contract is to ensure efficient, secure, reliable, and modernized operations of the agency's commercial cloud environment supporting approximately 400 business applications.

The overall objective of this task is to introduce efficiencies in operations, align best practices across all Mission Areas, and consolidate duplicative practices and eliminate historical technical debt. All operation tasks shall follow a common, consistent approach to implementing efficiencies.

The Contractor shall perform all tasks and deliverables outlined in this PWS for the fixed price established in the awarded task order. The Contractor shall ensure that all resources necessary to meet the performance requirements, whether labor, tools, materials, or subcontracted support are included within the fixed‑price solution.

The Government recommends the Contractor appoint a Lead Point of Contact (POC) under this Contract. This resource should serve as the Contractor’s point of contact for all matters related to this Contract and should be provided at the Contractors’ expense.

1.3 Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance (POP) for the requirements of this PWS is one (1) base period of 12 months with four (4) one (1) year option periods. Below is a projected summary:

Base Period: (12 months) from time of award (anticipated by May 4, 2026)

Option Period 1: 12 months from the end of the base period

Option Period 2: 12 months from the end of Option Period 1

Option Period 3: 12 months from the end of Option Period 2

Option Period 4: 12 months from the end of Option Period 3

1.4 Place of Performance

Core services shall be performed at the Contractor's location within the United States with remote support via secure Government-approved collaboration tools. On-site support at USDA FPAC-designated facilities located in Kansas City, MO, Fort Collins, CO, Indianapolis, IN, Salt Lake City, UT or Raleigh, NC may be required for specific tasks (e.g., sensitive discussions or coordinated activities), with prior Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR) approval, see Section 6, Travel.

The following eleven (11) federal holidays plus the Presidential Inauguration Day in the DC area shall be taken into consideration and not considered as working business days for Government resources as federal staff will not be available:

· Martin Luther King’s Birthday

· Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day)

· Memorial Day

· Juneteenth Day

· Independence Day

· Labor Day

· Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day

· Veterans Day

· Thanksgiving Day

· Christmas Day

· New Year’s Day

· Presidential Inauguration Day, third Monday in January (observed in the Washington, DC area)

1.5 Rates, Work Hours and Personnel

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, management, equipment, and resources necessary to perform the requirements of this PWS within the Firm‑Fixed‑Price structure of the task order. The Contractor shall ensure adequate staffing levels to meet all performance objectives, service levels, and deliverables. Contractor personnel shall be available during core working hours, as defined by the Government, and shall support after‑hours or emergency activities as required to maintain operational continuity. All work performed whether onsite or remote shall be included in the firm‑fixed price.

The fixed price shall account for both planned and unplanned operational support activities, including off‑hours deployments, troubleshooting, and incident response.

The Contractor will generally be expected to be readily available during core working hours from 10:00am to 4:00pm Eastern time (ET) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. It is common for deployments and troubleshooting sessions to occur outside core working hours. The Contractor shall manage these troubleshooting sessions and accommodate on-call requirements to resolve releases, deployments, service degradation or interruptions and delivery requirements. Many sessions are planned; some occur without notice all are expected to be supported as determined by prioritized need from Government operations managers.

Any work done, whether onsite or offsite, must be covered by the rate agreed upon between the Government and Contractor. Key working hours will be defined upon award but would not exceed normal 40-hour workweeks.