JEFO BHW CSPOC Redacted Final_Redacted.pdf

competitive follow-on acquisition. The proposed bridge period will be no longer than six months.

4. Authority Cited and Rationale: This justification is being conducted pursuant to 41 U.S.C.

4106(c), as implemented at FAR 16.507-6(b). The contracting officer has determined that an exception to fair opportunity is appropriate for this acquisition based on the following rationale:

a. FAR 16.507-6(b)(1) - The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

HRSA requests an exception to fair opportunity under RFO FAR 16.507-6(b)(1) to place a short-term bridge task order with the incumbent contractor, Sparksoft Corporation, under the GSA Polaris multiple-award contract. HRSA’s need for continued National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) customer service and program operations support is so urgent that providing fair opportunity for the bridge order would result in unacceptable delays.

The current order’s period of performance ends November 30, 2026. The Government has fully utilized the extension available under FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, and cannot rely on another extension under that clause. The services requiring continuity include call center and email assistance to NPDB users, web content development, program operations support, and outreach. An interruption in contractor performance would disrupt assistance to NPDB users and ongoing program operations.

HRSA projects award of the bridge order in October 2026 to allow at least several weeks for contractor personnel to complete the background investigation steps needed to maintain their Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards and access to the systems and facilities used for this work. Without a timely award, personnel risk losing the access needed to perform their duties when the current order ends. Award in October provides time to address those access requirements before bridge performance must begin.

Providing fair opportunity for the bridge order would require HRSA to issue a notice to eligible GSA Polaris WOSB awardees, allow time for responses, evaluate those responses, and place an order. If another awardee were selected, HRSA would also need to transition performance and address that contractor’s personnel access requirements. Those steps would consume the time available before the current order expires and risk a gap in support. A timely bridge award to Sparksoft would allow the existing support effort to continue while its personnel complete the steps needed to maintain access.

HRSA is separately pursuing a competitive follow-on acquisition to establish a blanket purchase agreement under the GSA Polaris multiple-award IDIQ contract. The Polaris bridge is limited to maintaining NPDB support while HRSA completes that acquisition and transitions to follow-on performance. The proposed bridge consists of a three-month base period and one three-month option period, not to exceed six months in total.

b. FAR 16.507-6(b)(2) - Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

c. FAR 16.507-6(b)(3) - The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

d. FAR 16.507-6(b)(4) - It is necessary to place the order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

e. FAR 16.507-6(b)(5) - A statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source.

5. Agency actions to take to remove barriers that led to Fair Opportunity Exception (if applicable): HRSA is pursuing a competitive follow-on acquisition under the GSA Polaris multiple-award IDIQ contract. During the bridge period, HRSA’s program and contracts offices will complete the remaining requirements and procurement activities, solicit and evaluate responses from eligible Polaris awardees, establish the blanket purchase agreement, and arrange for the transition to follow-on performance. These actions are intended to restore competition for the continuing NPDB customer service and program operations support requirement and avoid the need for another sole-source bridge.

6. Market Research: As part of the Government’s market research efforts, a Request for Information (RFI) was issued to Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns under the GSA Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) to assess the availability, interest, and capabilities of WOSB firms to successfully perform the requirements of this acquisition. The RFI sought information regarding vendors’ relevant experience, technical capabilities, staffing resources, and overall ability to provide the required services.

Six (6) WOSB concerns submitted responses to the RFI. Based on the Government’s review and assessment of the information provided, all six respondents demonstrated the capabilities, relevant experience, and resources necessary to successfully perform the work associated with this requirement.

Market research indicates that there are Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) firms capable of performing this work. The upcoming competitive procurement will be conducted among GSA Polaris WOSB vendors, ensuring that qualified WOSB firms within the GSA Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) have the opportunity to compete for this requirement.

7. Procurement History: