JA20-018 JS INSS Bridge_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL (J&A) FOR FEDERAL ACQUISITION

REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 16.5 ACQUISITIONS

EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)/Multiple Award Contract

Orders under MAS/General Services Administration Schedules (GSA)/Federal Supply Schedules

(FSS)

FAR 8.405-6

Purchase Request Number: To be determined (TBD) Contract Number: GS-35F-161GA Task/Delivery Order Number: HC1047-20-F-0005 Procurement Title: Joint Staff (JS) Integrated Networks, Systems, and Support (INSS) Bridge Contract Estimated Value: $ for a two month base period, three one month options and inclusive of a six month extension in accordance with 52.217-8.

Limited Source Authority: FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(B).

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Number: JA20-018

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Procuring Activity Competition Advocate, hereby approve this exception to fair opportunity pursuant to the Authority of FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(B).

1. REQUIRING AGENCY AND CONTRACTING OFFICE:

Requesting Agency:

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Service Provider (JSP) 7010 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-7010

Contracting Activity:

DISA/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) National Capital Region (NCR) / PL62 P.O. Box 549 Fort Meade, MD 20755-0549

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF ACTION(S): The purpose of this action is to award a firm-fixed-price sole source bridge task order for a base period of two (2) months to continue the services currently provided under the JS INSS task order HC1047-19-F-0006 in response to a follow-on contract protest. The period of performance (POP) for the bridge contract, should the optional three (1) month extensions be exercised, is December 17, 2019- May 16, 2020. This extension will ensure continued support during the protest period of the follow-on NetAM

JS INSS Bridge Contract-JA20-018

Page 2 of 5 Pages contract. Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Operations & Maintenance (O&M) appropriations will be used to fund this bridge effort.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: Continuity of services is required for support to the JS at the JS location in Hampton Roads, VA. The JS JNSS effort actively supports the JS in the day-to-day operation of the JS's Information Technology (IT) enterprise to enable support to Combatant Commands and Warfighters across the globe. More specifically, the JS INSS requirement includes Network Operations/Asset Management, Systems Integration/Network Engineering, and Cable Plant Services.

Network Operations includes maintenance and support to control the entire asset life-cycle, from receiving new systems/equipment to retirement which includes, IT systems and hardware, as well as IT support equipment. Assets are currently accounted for using the Defense Property Accountability System (DPAS).

The Systems Integration function brings together systems and applications in order to meet the JS's IT requirements by utilizing a variety of disciplines, such as requirements gathering, process management, project management, systems engineering, integration testing, and subject matter expertise. This task requires the management of systems integration projects, such as infrastructure, desktop, virtualization, server, database upgrades, modernization, and implementation at various stages of the system development lifecycle.

JSP Hampton Roads (HR) Network Engineering brings the engineering baseline, planning, modernization, design, development, integration, and testing of incremental changes or network modernizations to JSP HR Enterprise CORE communications network.

Cable Plant Services require the maintenance of the cable plant infrastructure that provides JSP HR IT enterprise network access. This task is responsible for cabling and connectivity that brings applications and services to the end user device; furthermore, this task area is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure that provides network access to approximately 3,000 users in Hampton Roads, VA.

The current contract expires on Dec 16, 2019. This effort was re-competed as part of several other efforts. The effort that included the Joint Service Provider at Hampton Roads portion of contract HC1047-19-F-0006 was protested. The bid protest was submitted in a timely manner to trigger an automatic suspension of performance of the follow-on contract pending resolution of the protest in accordance with FAR 33.103(f)(3). The extension of the current contract will allow for continued support of this vital program during the protest period, while retaining the ability to provide a consistent level of effort for the Joint Service Provider at Hampton Roads without a break in service.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF LIMITED SOURCE AUTHORITY AND DEMONSTRATION OF

CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS: Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized, FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(B).

Page 3 of 5 Pages

(a) Justification.

(1) Minimum Government Requirements. The JS depends on the daily services currently provided by ASD, such as Network Operations/Asset Management, Systems Integration/Network Engineering, and Cable Plant services. These highly specialized services are critical to ensure that DoD's Combatant Commanders are able to effectively communicate to Warfighters around the globe through effective and reliable IT technical support, systems integration and network infrastructure support. In anticipation of the expiration of the services provided by ASD and the absorption of the JS's IT services to DISA JSP, the JSP prepared acquisition efforts to provide the services provided through the JS INSS requirement.

However, the award of the follow-on effort has been protested and the expected decision date is Q2 FY20, which occurs after the expiration of the JS INSS effort.

The contractor will provide, during the pendency of the protest, INSS services at current levels for Network Operations, System Integration, and Cable Plant services required for only the JS location at Hampton Roads, VA.

(2) Proposed Sole Source Contractor. The proposed sole source contractor is ASD, 440 Ford Avenue, Suite 500, Alexandria VA 22302.

(3) Discussion regarding cause of the limited source situation. A sole-source action is necessary due to a protest filed in response to the award of the follow-on contract. If a bid protest had not been received, this extension would not be necessary. Although the JS INSS requirements are currently undergoing competitive acquisitions through the JSP, the follow-on awards are not anticipated until after the expiration of the current JS INSS contract. Due to the anticipated award of the JSP's follow-on acquisitions after the expiration of the current JS INSS contract on December 16, 2019, ASD is the only source that can provide the necessary critical services at the level required without risk of a substantial break in service/support to the JS. The JS includes support to senior DoD leaders, such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Vice Chairman of the JCS, and Assistant Chairman of the JCS, as well as Combatant Commanders and the Warfighter.

(4) Impact. Failure to award this logical follow-on to ASD would result in JSP's inability to provide critical services to ensure that DoD's Combatant Commanders are able to effectively communicate to Warfighters around the globe through effective and reliable IT technical support, systems integration and network infrastructure support. A delay in awarding this bridge contract would eliminate the day-to-day critical IT support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and its Directorate staff.

5. BEST VALUE DETERMINATION: GSA has already determined that prices of supplies, fixed price services, and rates for services offered at hourly rates are fair and reasonable for the purpose of establishing the schedule contract. However, the contracting officer is still required to make a determination of fair and reasonable pricing for individual orders, BPAs, and orders under proposal analysis techniques at FAR 15.404-1. The complexity and circumstances of the

Page 4 of 5 Pages acquisition should determine the level of detail and analysis IAW FAR 8.404(d) for acquisitions under FAR 8.405-2(d).

6. MARKET RESEARCH: Market research was conducted within the last 12 months by reviewing the acquisition history of the JS INSS and reviewing Federal Supply Schedules. Based on current market research, dated November 1, 2019, it has been determined only the aforementioned services, JS INSS, provided by ASD, can fully support the Government's need.

The JSP anticipates the JS INSS bridge will require a period of performance of no more than five

(5) months to allow time for the protest to be resolved.

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS: None

8. ACTIONS THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME BARRIERS

THAT LED TO THE EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY:

(a) Current Contract: HCI047-19-F-0006

(b) Status. Expires December 16, 2019. Competitive follow-on contract protest expected to end Q2 FY20.

Page 5 of 5 Pages

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: Alexander Lord SIGNATURE: See separate PDF

TITLE/ORGANIZATION:

PHONE: DATE:

REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the J&A are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

NAME: Cynthia Dilley SIGNATURE: See separate PDF

TITLE/ORGANIZATION:

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

NAME: Silvia Molinillo-Corral SIGNATURE: See separate PDF

TITLE/ORGANIZATION:

PHONE: DATE:

PROCURING ACTIVITY COMPETITION ADVOCATE (PACA) APPROVAL: I have reviewed this justification and find it to be accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this justification does not exceed $13.5M, this review serves as approval and my written determination that the aforementioned FAR circumstances apply.

NAME: Gay Arnold SIGNATURE: See separate PDF

TITLE/ORGANIZATION: PACA/DISA