A04 Limited Sources Justification Final - Redacted.pdf

BID FSS Limited Sources Justification Acquisition Title: ARPA-H Operations Support Follow On

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A y

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays (FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A)).

Only one source can provide the supplies or services required at the level or quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized (FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(B)).

If the sole source TO is not awarded by 15 November 2024, ARPA-H will experience an interruption in services, resulting in work stoppage.

ARPA-H has made notable strides towards achieving its long-term competitive strategy by awarding the Strategic Technical ARPA-H Talent Support (STATS) IDIQ on 8 January 2024 to five capable and responsible vendors. TOs are currently being created, to be competitively awarded amongst the IDIQ holders. The TOs being competed will not be awarded within the timeframe that the current operational support expires.

It is critical for the sole source TO be awarded to ensure uninterrupted services while the long-term competitive strategy is executed. The TO will provide operational support services that ensure the agency successfully meets its mission. Without this support, ARPA-H infrastructure, which consists of 85% Contractor support, will be substantially impacted. If ARPA-H were to pursue a competitive procurement, even utilizing the streamlined ordering procedures under GSA’s Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), there is a high risk of an interruption of services. In making this determination, the Government considered the time for solicitation and evaluation of competitive proposals, the possibility of protest, and the almost inevitable delays associated with transitioning to a new contractor (if the incumbent does not win).

The incumbent currently has the infrastructure and personnel in place to ensure there is no interruption in service while the executes its long-term competitive strategy. This ensures a continuity of services with no transition period or need for additional time to train and onboard incoming support.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (28 December 2022) tasks ARPA-H with developing transformative health technologies through high-risk, high-reward innovation; however, ARPA-H does not pursue unnecessary risk. In this case, any alternative other than a sole source TO introduces an unacceptable level of risk with no known reward.

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited sources procedures (FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C)); or

BID FSS Limited Sources Justification Acquisition Title: ARPA-H Operations Support Follow On

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An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer). A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

(FAR 8.405-6(b)).

M k R rc The Government’s integrated project team conducted significant market research related to the overall Professional Services requirement. The Government does not believe there is a single small business capable of meeting ARPA-H’s full requirement, on a short or long-term basis. The Government does believe its long-term requirement is suitable for competition. This determination and the supporting market research are detailed in the Acquisition Strategy (see A16 in the contract file) submitted in support of the Government’s competitive procurement for

STATS IDIQ.

The proposed sole source TO is part of the Government’s overarching strategy to pursue a competitive strategy that also supports socioeconomic concerns to the greatest extent practicable. The proposed sole source to a large business offeror is necessary to ensure the continued success of ARPA-H. The Government acknowledges there are other offerors who could provide the services if there was sufficient time for a competition, potential protest period, and then time for appropriate phasing out and in of offerors (if the incumbent were not to receive award).

Given this basis for a sole source award, the Government did not conduct additional market research related to identifying capable firms from a technical standpoint. The Government is aware of similarly capable firms, however, those firms would be unable to provide the required services without an interruption in services critical to agency success.

Please see A11 for STATS IDIQ Market Research that is relevant to this effort.

A C :

As noted above, BID is concurrently taking steps to remove barriers to competition. The STATS IDIQ incorporates both a Subcontracting plan and a Small Business Participation Commitment Document, requiring the IDIQ holders to allocate a set percentage of the total value of awarded TOs to Small Businesses. These percentages were reviewed by the CO and Small Business Representative prior to award and received concurrence. Thus, upon award, the STATS TOs will provide opportunities to small businesses.

Currently, three TOs are in various parts of the acquisition cycle to provide all the operational support services that ARPA-H will require to accomplish its mission sets. By the conclusion of the 6-month period of performance of this follow on; all services being performed will have transitioned to a competitively awarded STATS TO. A phase-in period has been added to each of the TOs to allow for a smooth transition of workload, data, information, and, if applicable, personnel.