REDACTED JA MITRE ACRT POSTED ON SAM.GOV.pdf

USSS Standard Sensitive Info

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 1 of 6

03.21.2022 v.1.0

J&A Number: FY25-187

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3)

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Procurement Division, proposes to enter into a contract on a basis other than full and open competition on behalf of the Office Strategic Intelligence & Information (SII) National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

USSS intends to procure on a sole source basis with MITRE Corporation (7515 Colshire Drive, McLean VA, 22101. UEI DMHDNDCPWUD1), a nonprofit corporation, to develop and enhance a prototype case research tool that can sort through massive amounts of open-source data to identify incidents of targeted violence relevant to NTAC research. The contemplated contract type is a cost-plus-fixed-fee (cost reimbursement). It will use Operations and Support Appropriation, Protection Operation PPA, Protective Intelligence PPA Level II funding and uses fiscal year 2025 funding. The projected period of performance for this effort will consist of a twelve (12) month base period from date of award, with two (2) twelve-month option periods. A solicitation number does not yet exist as the J&A preparation and approval occurs before a solicitation is created.

Period

Base Year (FY 25) 12 mo.

Option Year 1 (FY 26) 12 mo.

Option Year 2 (FY27) 12 mo.

3. Description of supplies/services.

The requirement of this project is the continued development and enhancement of a prototype case research tool that can sort through massive amounts of open-source data to identify incidents of targeted violence relevant to NTAC research. Since October 2024, NTAC has successfully addressed a longstanding challenge of efficiently identifying incidents for analysis by partnering with MITRE to develop an Advanced Case Research Tool prototype. This prototype has demonstrated promising capabilities in automating the systematic review of news articles to find relevant incidents of targeted violence, a process that had previously been entirely manual and labor intensive. The enhanced system will be fully integrated into the USSS IT infrastructure, expanding its capabilities to efficiently identify incidents of targeted violence relevant to NTAC research. Base year enhancements will focus on four critical areas: a) migration to the USSS enterprise environment with proper Azure set-up, b) expansion of data intake capabilities to incorporate open-source lists and databases beyond news articles, c) implementation of an improved triage process, and d) integration with the Research Collection

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 2 of 6 and Reporting System currently being developed by MITRE. These enhancements are necessary to establish a fully functional, enterprise-integrated system that supports NTAC’s core needs.

However, given the evolving capabilities and NTAC’s long-term operational goals, certain advanced features are planned for the option years to allow for continued improvement, flexibility, and innovation. Option year 1 will focus on a) development of more advanced data in-take automation features, b) expansion of entity extraction capabilities to improve name disambiguation, especially in complex incidents with multiple actors, and c) enhanced dashboard interfaces for real-time searcher and reviewer analytics and progress tracking. Option Year 2 will focus on a) deployment of case-specific research aids and tools to streamline full-case review and b) ongoing performance tuning based on pilot test use and user feedback. Option year enhancements are designed to build on the base system, adding scalability, intelligence, and user support functionality that will make the ACRT more powerful and sustainable over time.

4. Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(3), implemented by the FAR Subpart 6.302-3 entitled Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert service.

5. Identification of exception to the Buy American Statute.

Buy American Statute is not applicable.

6. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

6.302-3 (a)(2) Full and open competition need not be provided for when necessary to award the contract to a particular source or sources in order

6.302-3 (a)(2)(ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center

6.302-3 (b)(2) Use of the authority in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section may be appropriate when it is necessary to -

(i) Establish or maintain an essential capability for theoretical analyses, exploratory studies, or experiments in any field of science or technology;

(ii) Establish or maintain an essential capability for engineering or developmental work calling for the practical application of investigative findings and theories of a scientific or technical nature; or

(iii) Contract for supplies or services as are necessary incident to paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section.

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 3 of 6

The MITRE Corporation is uniquely qualified to provide these services to USSS/NTAC based upon the following:

In 2025, the USSS partnered with MITRE to develop the Advanced Case Research Tool prototype that requires further development and enhancements. MITRE has the most technical expertise, experience, and knowledge of the prototype’s architecture, data flows, and decision logic, and is uniquely positioned to provide the most effective services. As the sole developer of the ACRT prototype, MITRE is not only the most qualified, but the only entity capable of executing continued development without significant delays, duplication of effort, or loss of prior investment in training and knowledge transfer. Engaging another vendor would necessitate a complete re-engineering of the system, introducing risk and inefficiencies that are avoidable only by continuing the partnership with MITRE.

MITRE Corporation is a non-profit organization with a 60+ year history of directly supporting Federal Departments and Agencies in the execution of their mission(s). The fact that MITRE is a not-for-profit and operates six Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) across different parts of the Federal Government has uniquely positioned MITRE Corporation to develop and maintain technical capabilities and a workforce that are accustomed to performing the above acquisition, engineering, and developmental work specifically for the Federal Government, as an unbiased, objective partner.

NTAC seeks to establish and maintain essential capabilities in the areas of engineering and development work of a technical nature and contract for services that are necessary to maintain these essential capabilities. This will help keep vital facilities and suppliers in business and will prevent the loss of a supplier’s ability and loss of its employees skills. To prevent organizational conflicts of interest, MITRE only contracts with the Federal Government via FFRDC contracts and sole source contracts. MITRE cannot bid on competitive procurements such as those that MITRE might work on for the Department of State and MITRE cannot partner on competitive procurements (with the one exception being a competitive procurement for an FFRDC). Another unique aspect of MITRE with regard to mitigating Organizational Conflict of Interest, is that MITRE does not monetize its Intellectual Property, nor does MITRE sell hardware, software, or any other type of commercial product. Thus, MITRE does not have conflicting interests to market its own products to the Federal Government.

Development per FAR 35.001, is defined as the systematic use of scientific and technical knowledge in the design, development, testing, or evaluation of a potential new product or service (or of an improvement in an existing product or service) to meet specific performance requirements or objectives. It includes the functions of design engineering, prototyping and engineering testing. NTAC needs assistance in contracting for these essential functions.

Engineering and Technical Services per FAR 2.101 (Advisory & Assistance Services), is defined as services used to support the program office during the acquisition cycle by providing such services as systems engineering and technical direction. NTAC needs support in this area.

System Engineering, per FAR 9.505-1, includes a combination of substantially all of the following activities: determining specifications, identifying and resolving interface problems, developing test requirements, evaluating test data, and supervising design. Technical direction

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 4 of 6 includes a combination of substantially all of the following activities: developing work statements, determining parameters, directing other contractors' operations, and resolving technical controversies. NTAC needs assistance in contracting for these essential functions.

In order to successfully contract for these services, NTAC will contract with MITRE to deliver an enhanced case research tool to identify and triage incidents of targeted violence pertinent to NTAC research in a manner that is more efficient than current processes as well as providing support for reviewing deliverables of a highly technical nature. Out of all the organizations identified, none of them have the same level of technical expertise and experience with NTA s Advanced Case Research Tool and in artificial intelligence development as MITRE. Further, utilizing an alternative service would result in unnecessary duplication of effort, making MITRE the timeliest and most cost-effective option for USSS/NTA.

If the J&A is not approved and the additional development and enhancements are not performed, NTAC will forfeit the value of prior investments made to develop the prototype with MITRE investments that cannot be replicated or leveraged by another vendor. Because MITRE possesses unique technical expertise and exclusive knowledge of the system’s architecture and NTAC s legacy incident identification process, transitioning to a new provider would require starting from scratch, resulting in duplicative costs (including time spent by NTAC training and transferring institutional knowledge), significant delays, and degraded mission capability at a time when timely threat identification is critical.

7. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

Due to the FAR 5.202(a)(10) exception, synopsis of this proposed contract action is not required.

There are no applicable exceptions to synopsis of contract award (FAR 5.301(b)); therefore, synopsis of contract award will be made publicly available within 14 days after contract award at SAM.gov and will remain posted for a minimum of 30 days.

8. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The MITRE Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates Federally Funded Research & Development Center whose Cost Accounting System is monitored by the Defense Contract Audit Agency and all work performed by the MITRE Corporation is done on a cost-plus fixed fee basis. The combination of the DCAA oversight and the price being limited to the actual costs provides the necessary assurance to the contracting office that the resultant prices will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on prior acquisition history. In accordance with FAR 15.403-4, MITRE will be required to submit certified cost or pricing data to assist in the fair and reasonable price determination.

9. Description of Market Research.

Market analysis was performed from April 2025 through May 2025, which included reviewing acquisition history, including prices paid and available strategic sourcing vehicles, interviewing knowledgeable individuals in industry and government. Out of all the organizations identified, Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 5 of 6 none of them have the same level of technical expertise and experience with NTA s Advanced Case Research Tool and in artificial intelligence development as MITRE Corporation. No commercial services were found that meet the Government’s requirement.

10. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The MITRE Corporation is a non-profit organization who mission is to support federal agencies in the execution of their mission(s). As a non-profit corporation, MITRE meets special long-term research and development needs which cannot be met by in-house or commercial contractor resources. Utilizing an alternative service would result in unnecessary duplication of effort, making MITRE the timeliest and most cost-effective option for USSS/NTA.

11. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

12. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required.

As the research and development objectives become more firmly established, risks are reduced, and processes are developed and proven, the USSS will consider whether competition is feasible in the future. NTA will continue to remain abreast of any changes in the market that could allow future competition.

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Technical Representative Date

14. Contracting Officer’s Certification. I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition Template based on DHS OCPO J&A Guide Version 3.3

J&A No: FY25-187 Page 6 of 6

ERIC V

PAGAL

Digitally signed by ERIC V PAGAL Reason: I am approving this document Date: 2025.05.28 16:34:17 -04'00' Adobe Acrobat version:

2025.001.20432

Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition Date