A13 ETFO - ETDAB Bridge Final_tgs_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity, a federal contracting document authorizing a non-competitive award to an incumbent contractor for bridge support services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks to award a bridge task order under Multiple Award ID/IQ Contract 47QTCK18D0043 for Emerging Technology & Design Acceleration Branch (ETDAB) Support Services. The bridge period runs from February 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026, maintaining continuity of services while a follow-on competitive acquisition is finalized. The contract is Time & Materials based pricing. Services include human-centered design and user engagement, prototype development and R&D cloud infrastructure support, technology evaluation and transition support, solution architecture and informatics support, innovation pipeline and process support, and training and knowledge transfer. A major focus area includes artificial intelligence initiatives, including AI use case research, prototype development, risk management alignment, and responsible AI adoption across CDC programs. The current task order was originally awarded June 16, 2020, under GSA Alliant 2 Unrestricted GWAC, with performance extended through January 30, 2026. The justification cites urgent need to avoid disruption to mission-critical ETDAB innovation, R&D, and AI-support activities due to a 43-day federal government shutdown that delayed the competitive acquisition schedule. The incumbent contractor possesses extensive institutional knowledge of ETDAB's systems, innovation processes, R&D activities, and established stakeholder relationships essential for preserving momentum in ongoing research and prototype development. Pricing is assessed as fair and reasonable based on comparison to current task order labor rates, inflation adjustments, and GSA Alliant 2 contract rates, with an Independent Government Cost Estimate developed as a benchmark. The document requires approvals from the Contracting Officer, Program Manager, Competition Advocate, and HHS Senior Procurement Executive.