4. JOFOC_FCDAS OM FINAL_Redacted.pdf

FCDAS is a National Critical Asset and, therefore, must remain in operation 24x7x365, including periods of inclement weather and emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters.

Mission-essential functions must be maintained at all times, provided no serious hazards to personnel exist. ASTS is an essential partner with the Government in disaster response and recovery plan development, exercise, and execution. ASTS is uniquely qualified to provide these services to FCDAS, NOAA based upon the following:

As the incumbent contractor, ASTS is the only responsible source capable of providing the products, services, and support at the required level of quality to facilitate the solicitation for the successor contract and potential transition to a new contractor without degrading the critical operations at FCDAS.

As the current contractor performing the support services to FCDAS, ASTS has a very knowledgeable staff who is intimately familiar with NOAA systems and possesses the ability to maintain the mission support services required for FCDAS operations. ASTS has an in-depth understanding of the unique and arcane aspects of the FCDAS mission from acquiring critical weather data, to command and control of satellites within FCDAS’s horizon. This in-depth understanding is required to successfully execute this work, and no other source can satisfy NOAA's immediate mission-critical requirement while the successor contract is being solicited. Replacing the current contractor with another provider would incur unacceptable risk to the Government. If this extension is not granted, a minimum of ninety (90) days would be needed to facilitate solicitation and selection of a short-term contract. Additionally, if a new company other than the incumbent were to receive award of the short term contract, they would need a minimum of thirty (30) days to recruit, possibly relocate staff to Fairbanks, negotiate with the two unions on-site, and train new staff on critical and highly specialized station requirements, such as IT and satellite operations, all of which could result in a gap in service. Furthermore, new station restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus could also potentially delay onboarding a new contractor.

The initial two (2)-month extension would allow the Government to complete source selection and award of the contemplated successor contract. This includes completion of source selection decision documents, presentation to and approval by the Source Selection Authority, and obtaining all required reviews and approvals of the contract award documents. This extension would also provide for sufficient phase-in and mobilization, should a company other than the incumbent be selected for award of the contemplated successor contract. The additional four (4), one (1)-month options would be utilized as needed for other unforeseen delays including resolution of a protest, if the need arises.

The contemplated successor contract, which is being procured using FAR Part 15 procedures, is completing its source selection and award is expected by April 30, 2022.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies (FAR 6.303-2(b)(6)).

The notice required by FAR 5.2 was posted in sam.gov on January 19, 2022. No responses were received by the response due date of February 3, 2022.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7)).

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison with historical pricing and awarded pricing from contracts with comparable services. Prior to award of the proposed modification, price information shall be obtained from the contractor, and a price analysis will be performed and documented to sufficiently determine that the cost to the Government of the proposed extension will be fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8)).

Market research associated with the new contract was conducted as part of the competitive process before the solicitation was issued on August 30, 2021. This market research included a sources sought notice, which garnered capability statements submitted by seven vendors. Other mandatory sources and government-wide acquisition contracts did not allow for creating a single contract for this requirement.

In light of this, a Notice of Intent to Sole Source this extension was posted on SAM.gov on January 19, 2022, from which no responses were received by the due date of February 3rd. Additional market research was not conducted because the extension will not include new requirements.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)).

Extending this contract is necessary to prevent a lapse in service for this mission critical requirement and resolution of protest, if applicable. The small Federal staff at the Station continues to be impacted by the ongoing COVID pandemic mitigation, including shifting the work to other personnel to accommodate staff who were directly affected by the COVID-19 virus. Most importantly, key personnel in awarding the contemplated successor contract have had ongoing health issues and competing priorities stemming from maintaining 24x7x365 station operations with limited federal staff, both of which significantly delayed the development of source selection documents. ASTS possesses the in-depth knowledge of FCDAS’s framework, infrastructure, operational requirements, policies and procedures required to successfully provide the services required to execute FCDAS’s critical mission. Not extending the contract work provided by ASTS would cause intolerable delays and pose a threat to FCDAS’s 24x7x365 operations that support NOAA’s environmental monitoring spacecraft. FCDAS is a vital part of the nation's critical infrastructure support system in providing weather satellite data that protects the safety of lives and properties at land or at sea. Holding a full and open competition for a short term contract would further delay the award of the contemplated successor contract since the same personnel, who are already negatively affected by the ongoing pandemic, would be performing concurrent selection activities for the short term contract and contemplated successor contract. Lastly, a brand new contractor would likely pass on the cost of recruitment and mobilization of new contractor personnel who will be working in a remote location for a short period of time, which would be comparatively higher to the cost of maintaining the current contractor who already has qualified personnel in place.

A full and open competition for the contemplated successor contract commenced with sufficient lead time to issue an award prior to completion of the current period of performance. However, additional time is necessary to accommodate all of the unexpected pandemic-related delays and to complete source selection in order to determine the best value to the Government. All options permitted by the clauses FAR 52.217-8 and 52.217-9 both included in the contract have been exhausted.

10. A listing of any sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10)).

No sources indicated an interest as a result of the synopsis posted in sam.gov on January 19, 2022.