JOFOC.pdf

Reference DOSAR 606.303-2

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION, PRICE

JUSTIFICATION (JOFOC)

ACQUISITION OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF SENIOR

HIGH LEVEL USG VIP VISIT

1. I recommend that the Department of State use other than full and open competition for the acquisition of passenger transportation services, vehicle with and without drivers for this VIP visit. The estimated cost is Euro 6,000,000.00 or US equivalent $6,204,115.38.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

Senior High Level USG Principal traveling with a delegation inclusive of support elements in: Security, Communications, Logistics and Operations.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

Passengers’ transportation services, vehicles with and without drivers.

Vendor: Queen Limousine and Services Srl, Via della Magliana, 586 00148 Rome, Italy.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

[x] 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (2), FAR 6.302-2; Unusual and Compelling Urgency;

(Based on the available time and urgency of the requirement as detailed below)

Security concerns prohibit sufficient advanced notification of VIP travel to allow for sufficient time to conduct full and open competition. The Department of State can only communicate with the staff at Posts abroad when authorization is given due to security concerns. They have an extremely short turnaround time when authorization has been granted for negotiations to commence and site selections to be finalized with both the local vendors and Posts before the actual Senior High

Level USG VIP visit occurs.

Many of the arrangements for transportation are often not confirmed until just before the actual visit. In addition to supporting a large delegation within a short time frame, last minute and frequent changes of itineraries for supporting personnel often result in significant changes in how Posts work with the vendors.

With the exception of a few trips, contracts are not permitted to be signed until the

Department of State (Post) has written confirmation from all supporting agencies, which enables collection of funds from said agencies in the event of cancellation.

This results in an unusual and compelling urgency in accordance with 41 U.S.C.

253 (c) (2), FAR 6.302-2.

These unique Senior High Level USG VIP travel requirements result in only a single or a very limited number of responsible sources with no other supplies or services capable of satisfying agency requirement in accordance with 41 U.S.C.

253 (c) (2), Far 6.302-2.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Security and logistics are the Department of State’s primary considerations when procuring transportation services. The Department of State must be able to provide a safe and secure environment for VIP visitors. Frequently VIP visits are not announced or confirmed in sufficient time to conduct a competition, creating an urgent and compelling need.

[x] The VIP visit information was not available in sufficient time thereby creating an urgent and compelling need.

[x] The proposed contractor has the following unique qualifications which meet the Department of State’s security and logistical requirements.

[x] Availability of vehicles upon request to be done with a very short notice.

[x] Size and number of vehicles. The contractor has the resources to provide all required type of vehicles with short notice.

[x] Condition of vehicles was found to be excellent as per recent business with this company.

[x] Contractor has the capability and experience to support such amount of requirements for this VIP visit.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

Due to urgency and exception in FAR 25.401(a)(5) this solicitation cannot be posted but the JOFOC will be published in SAM.gov.

The following other offerors were contacted Luxury Travel, Regal Limousine, however they do not have the adequate resources to satisfy agency requirements as created by the unique security and urgent needs of this event.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Prices are fair and reasonable. Prices are within the rates charged for similar events with limited availability of local vehicles and qualified drivers, such as the 2024 G7 event in

Puglia, and 2024 FLOTUS visit in Sicily.

8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

There is a limited availability of local vehicles and qualified drivers due to the last-minute confirmation of the event, the holiday season, and the beginning of the Jubilee celebration during which time this visit shall take place. It is imperative that the award of the contract is made immediately in order to secure available services. If contract award is not made in a timely manner, there is a high risk that there will be no availability of qualified transportation services for this event.

9. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

10. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

None.

CERTIFICATIONS

I certify that the information in this justification is accurate and contains complete data necessary to support the recommendation for other than full and open competition to the best of my knowledge and belief.

January 6, 2025

Date: Phong C. Ngo

Director Office of Presidential Travel Support

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on my assessment, I conclude that other than full and open competition is justified, and the proposed price is fair and reasonable.

Date: Crystal D. Sheridan

Contracting Officer

01/07/2025 07:31 GMT

Sheridan, Crystal (SheridanCD@state.gov)

As the Competition Advocate at post, I approve this justification:

Date: David W. Simons

Management Officer

01/07/2025 07:34 GMT

Simons, David (SimonsDW@state.gov)