Justification for Limited Competition_EE Carpet Replacement.pdf

JUSTIFICATION UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (SAT)

PURSUANT TO FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

This is justification to award a fix-firm price sole-source contract by the Department of State, Baghdad Procurement Office.

2. A description of the supplies or services required (including estimated value).

The requirement is to provide carpet removal and new flooring installation services at the Embassy of the United States of America, Baghdad, Iraq. The contract value for the entire period of performance for carpet tile installation is IDQ 121,651,604.00 / $92,934.76 (USD); and for vinyl tile installation is IQD 39,150,394.00 / $29,908.63 USD.

These supplies/services require the successful contractor to remove existing carpet and replace it with the new GFE carpet tiles in 230 rooms, and supply and install vinyl tiles in 32 rooms in East End housing units. This will allow the Post to accomplish the planned move and consolidation of Chief of Mission personnel to the Embassy Compound.

3. An identification of the circumstances that preclude competition:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), the Contracting Officer has deemed only one source reasonably available based on the following:

☒ Urgency

This action resulted in the limited competition for replacement of carpet tile flooring in East End housing units between Tigris Way LTD and Paxton International, and award to Tigris Way LTD. This ensured that an award is made in a timely manner to ensure the life and safety of the personnel under Chief of Mission Authority. This is an urgent acquisition that will provide an upgrade of housing conditions and ensures life, health and safety of the personnel under Chief of Mission Authority.

Per FAR 5.202(a)(2) the proposed contract action is made under the conditions described in 6.302-2 and the Government would be seriously injured if the agency complies with the time periods specified in FAR 5.203.

4. Supporting information and facts.

Diplomatic Security continues to assess Baghdad as a CRITICAL Threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting U.S. Government interests. Crime and lawlessness remain a serious threat throughout the country. In Baghdad, organized crime, uncontrolled militia activity, and corruption remain formidable obstacles to free enterprise and business. Terrorist attacks throughout Iraq have continued to decline but have not completely subsided and the region has experienced waves of increased attacks recently due to regional conflict flaring up. Foreign and local groups remain capable of conducting deadly attacks throughout the country and continue to threaten our interests. These security conditions have limited the Government’s ability to coordinate a site survey and ensure quick access for a contractor’s workforce to the Embassy. The contractor's personnel must undergo a limited vetting process, which can take up to 30 days to obtain temporary or finalized 2-year physical access as day workers.

Embassy Baghdad has personnel housed on the compound known as West End (WE), which is adjacent to the Embassy. Post assessed the safety and security conditions of the current housing facilities and determined, and as part of the consolidation and cost containment strategy, that WE personnel must be relocated to available housing on the Embassy Compound. The existing carpet tiles at the 2nd floor of East End buildings are at the end of their life cycle and are in such a physical condition that requires replacement prior to long-term housing. The scope in the existing Operations and Maintenance Support Services (OMSS) contract does not include carpet replacement services outside of the common housing areas.

Due to safety and security concerns, Post has received the approval to proceed with the move of personnel starting as early as August. The Government has identified two (2) companies that have the capability to expeditiously deploy vetted and skilled labor and have proven records of past successful performance with the US Government on the same or similar projects.