19AQMM19F1710_JOFOC_Redacted.pdf

Exception to Fair Opportunity for Task Order: 19AQMM19F1710

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

AUTHORITY: FAR 16.505(b)(2)

Task Order Number: 19AQMM19F1710

Cameroon C-208 Advisor

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the

This document is a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity which is being conducted by the Department of State, World-Wide Division, Regional Services Branch on behalf of the Bureau of African Affairs. The request is for the extension of task order 19AQMM19F1710 with Crisis Response Company (CRC), LLC, (1670 Keller PKWY STE 110, Keller, TX, 76248-3773) which is currently set to expire on May 31, 2024. The estimated extension cost is dollars. The Government anticipates this interim award to be the one and only interim award executed for this task order. The Government team fully anticipates being postured for a long-term competitive solution under the future Global Advisory IDIQ.

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

The request is for the extension of task order 19AQMM19F1710 with CRC which is currently set to expire on May 31, 2024 which is the end of option year 4. There have been no other extensions for this task order to date. This task order was awarded against the AF Advisory

IDIQ.

This task order extension will provide sufficient time to allow for the follow-on task order requirement to be properly competed under the future Global Advisory IDIQ which is tentatively scheduled to be awarded sometime in FY25.

This task order, referred to as the Cameroon C-208 Advisor, has been very successful and allowing it for it suddenly to end would be very detrimental to the gains we have previously made. This extension would allow AF/RPS more time to issue a recompete for the task order once Global Advisory IDIQ is fully implemented. It is imperative that this task order operate under the Global Advisory IDIQ from a long-term perspective. This extension will have two twelve-month Option Periods, as follows:

Extension Period (Base) Twelve months (June 1, 2024 May 31, 2025) Extension Period (Option 1) Twelve months (June 1, 2025 May 31, 2026)

3. (including the estimated value).

The purpose of this task order is to provide C-208 advisory support to the Cameroonian Air Force. The support includes overseeing on-site activities required to maintain safe, reliable aircraft for use by the Cameroonians. The advisor train

The Government is issuing two extension periods via this justification, as follows:

Extension Period (Base) (12 Months) = Extension Period (Option 1) (12 Months) = Total (24 Months) =

As stated, the extension is of limited duration and will allow time for the Government to conduct a comprehensive and fair competition for related follow-on work. Additionally, the extension of 24 months ensures the Government will have maximum time and space to prepare the acquisition package for the follow-on task order which will ensure maximum competition opportunities under Global Advisory. In summary, this task order will be postured for a full competition during the FY26 Global Advisory task order award cycle.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity (see 16.505(b)(2)) and the supporting rationale, including a or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the exception cited. If the contracting officer uses the logical follow-on exception, the rationale shall describe why the relationship between the initial order and the follow-on is logical (e.g., in terms of scope, period of performance, or value).

The exception to fair opportunity for this justification is FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A). This task order must be issued on a sole-source basis due to urgency and the need to avoid unacceptable delays.

This contract provides critical assistance to the Cameroonian Air Force

. With the recent coups in the region and subsequent political instability, it is imperative that Cameroon, . The two requested extensions would prevent a stoppage to the critical assistance which supports U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

As mentioned above, the two twelve-month extensions ensure the Government will have maximum time and space to prepare the acquisition package for the follow-on task order which will ensure maximum competition opportunities under Global Advisory. In summary, this task order will be postured for a full competition during the FY26 Global Advisory task order award cycle.

Competing this task order outside of the AF Advisory IDIQ/Global Advisory IDIQ is not feasible. The AF Advisory IDIQ, and the subsequent Global Advisory IDIQ, specialize in the diverse operating environments and political dynamics of African nations, and attempting to utilize a different contract vehicle would cause a negative impact to mission operations

It would limit the Cameroonian Air Force ability to carry out operations supporting U.S. national security objectives. Constant coordination and collaboration with Partner Nation will be required to execute this task order such that they address all mission requirements in a rapidly shifting operational environment there is no other contract vehicle suitable to this requirement.

The current vendor uniquely understands the diplomatic mission, international activities, global engagements, customs, culture, and practices possessing direct operational expertise required to successfully execute this effort with minimal start time this is why there is no other source available to execute this requirement. As a result, no other sources could be found to provide the technical capacity and capabilities, as well as be fully vetted and staffed to begin on June 1, 2024, which creates the potential of serious injury to this critical mission.

Transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source would cause significant disruption to the mission and negatively impact U.S. national security objectives in Cameroon and the Lake Chad region. Additionally, it would result in a duplication of costs that would not be anticipated to be recouped through competition. The goal of this extension is to provide maximum competition opportunities under the future Global Advisory IDIQ.

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

The Contracting Officer anticipates that the proposed prices for both extension periods will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer has a realistic price estimate for the services required based on previous work conducted by the incumbent as well as prices estimates based on similar overseas advisory work conducted by other vendors. Furthermore, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to utilize any pricing techniques to achieve a fair and reasonable price such as historical pricing, comparison to published price lists, technical experts, as well as certified cost and pricing data. By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the prices to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification.