19AQMM19F4356 JOFOC_Djibouti ML_Redacted.pdf

Exception to Fair Opportunity for Task Order: 19AQMM19F4356

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

AUTHORITY: FAR 16.505(b)(2)

Task Order Number: 19AQMM19F4356

Djibouti and Mozambique Advisors

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity.”

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 19AQMM19F4356 with Crisis Response Company (CRC), LLC, (1670 Keller PKWY STE 110, Keller, TX, 76248-3773), which is currently set to expire on September 28, 2024. The estimated extension cost is . 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 19AQMM19F4356 with CRC which is currently set to expire on September 28, 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 Djibouti and Mozambique Advisors, has been very successful in Djibouti while the Mozambique portion was descoped in 2021 (Option Year 1).

. 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 (September 29, 2024 – September 28, 2025)

Extension Period (Option 1) – Twelve months (September 29, 2025 – September 28, 2026)

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

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.

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 September 29, 2024, which creates the potential of serious injury to this critical mission.

Transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source 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.

The extension is not being requested to circumvent the award of a new task order but to give the U.S. government the necessary time to adjust existing requirements to assist in the development of a new task order competition. This extension will give the U.S. government the ability to continue to fulfill U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in Djibouti through its current task order with CRC while concurrently developing a new task order competition with maximum small business competition opportunities under goal under the Global Advisory IDIQ.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

This requirement will be competed as part of the Global Advisory IDIQ program in the future. Since Global Advisory is not yet awarded, the Government is extending this task order to ensure maximum competition is available in the future, including maximum competition within a potential small business pool. Consequently, the Government anticipates all barriers that led to this extension will be removed for the next iteration of this task order.

The Contacting Officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

A/OPE/AQM/WWD/RSB

U.S. Department of State

8. Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for an exception to fair opportunity) and which

Approved By:

U.S. Department of State Office of the Procurement Executive Office of Acquisition Policy (A/OPE/OAP)