NCS DF Consolidation redacted.pdf

CUI//DL ONLY

Controlled by: NASA Communication Services (NCS) Source Evaluation Board Point of Contact: Timothy Broadous, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Determination and Findings (D&F) for Consolidation of Requirements

Preface

Nature and/or description of the action being approved: This D&F provides the authorization for consolidation of communication service as specified in section I of this document under a single acquisition, hereinafter the NASA Commination Services (NCS) Acquisition.

Citation of the appropriate statute and/or regulation upon which the D&F is based: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 7.107-2, as supplemented by NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1807.107-2, under the authority of 15 United States Codec (U.S.C.) 657q. FAR 7.107-2 states in part, “before conducting an acquisition that is a consolidation of requirements with an estimated total dollar value exceeding $2 million, the senior procurement executive or chief acquisition officer shall make a written determination that the consolidation is necessary and justified.”

Findings

I. Requirement Specific Information

A. Proposed/New Requirement

1. Description of Services:

The purpose of the NCS acquisition, is to acquire communication and related services for the Office of Communications in support of all NASA centers and Mission Directorates (excluding the White Sands Test Facility and Jet Propulsion Laboratory). KSC Procurement is the designated buying location for communication services for the Agency pursuant to the enterprise procurement strategy at NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) Appendix A-102.17. The Contractor shall support the Agency’s Office of Communications (OCOMM) efforts in implementing and maintaining an overarching communication strategy that clearly and consistently communicates NASA’s strategic vision and guidance, along with OCOMM’s goals and business strategy, to both internal and external stakeholders.

Communication services include: Strategic Communications, Planning, and Integration; Engagement – Stakeholder Relations and Public Engagements;

Media Relations; History; Library Services; and response to Freedom of Information Act requests. This contract excludes communication services such as multimedia, photography, graphics, audio-visual, and broadcasting support which is included in the Enterprise Multimedia and Integrated Technical

Services (eMITS) contract. The NCS contractor shall provide the following performance of work requirements segregated as follows:

Core Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements (FFP):

Management and Reporting Requirements Property Management Communications Technical Requirements o NASA Integrated Strategic Communications o Organizational Measurement and Analysis o Speakers Bureau/Speaking Engagements o NASA Style and Graphic Standards o Internal Communication o Public Inquiry Responses

History and Archives iSITE – Contract Management Portal

IDIQ Requirements (FFP, FFP LOE and T&M) Communications Technical Requirements o Strategic Communications, Planning, and Integration o Engagement – Stakeholder Relations and Public Engagements o Media Relations

Library Services Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Responses Supplemental Communications Products and Services Materials, Equipment, and Supplies Purchases Travel and Training

This acquisition meets the definition of consolidation as defined in FAR subpart 2.1, as it will meet two or more requirements for services that have been performed under two or more separate contracts.

2. Identify whether the requirement will be competed or sole source:

NCS will be competed as an 8(a) Set-Aside based upon the results of market research and the requirements at FAR 19.805-1. This is consistent with NFS Appendix A-102.17(d)(3), which requires that acquisitions for communication services be set aside in total or in part, for exclusive competition participation by small businesses, which includes the 8(a) participant category. This acquisition does not involve bundling as defined in FAR subpart 2.1, as the proposed consolidation remains suitable for award to an 8(a) firm.

3. Solicitation Number, Contract Name, or Contract Number if known:

Solicitation Number : 80KSC022R0012 Contract Name: NASA Communication Services (NCS)

Better management/utilization of NASA exhibits and artifacts across the enterprise

Additionally, the Request for Information posted on January 22, 2021, sought out feedback from Industry regarding the benefits of an Agencywide procurement solution.

Some of the responses received include:

One Agency-Wide contract will enable one vision/one voice for all NASA Centers Allows NASA to form a united and deliberate enterprise-wide operation model with continuity of messaging and communications, consistency in management and staffing, and stability with tracking and reporting

Ability to capitalize on efficiencies from implementing common processes and tools, reducing scope overlap, reduced duplication of efforts, and the ability to introduce common metrics and deliverables

Eliminates unnecessary contract redundancies Increased cost efficiencies Maximizing synergy across sites Maintains a positive media/communication culture across the enterprise Unified messaging and approach Sharing of resources including workforce and materials Degradation of departmental and geographic silos and all Centers have equal opportunity to access essential technical expertise Ensures optimal customer coordination and planning, consistency in tools and processes, maximized synergies, and cost savings as compared to multiple award or multiple contract regional awards

A regional contract approach increases the risk for inconsistent service delivery and increases issues of accountability at the functional leadership and Agency levels

D. Identify alternative contracting approaches that have been considered that would involve a lesser degree of consolidation (FAR 7.107-2(a)(2)).

Alternative Contract Approach: The RDT contemplated a single, Multi-Award contract (award of three contracts from a single solicitation) as identified below:

Three Contract Awards Based on Regions

Region 1 – Eastern (KSC, GSFC, HQ, and LaRC) Region 2 – Central (MSFC, SSC, and GRC) Region 3 – Western (JSC, ARC, and AFRC)

However, for the reasons stated in Section II. B and C, the extent of the anticipated and the objective to acquire efficient and effective Communication services, a consolidated Agencywide contract was determined to provide the most optimal solution to meet requirements.

The rationale for requiring this work to be conducted under a single IDIQ contract is due to the interaction/coordination between tasks and the OCOMM Mission Support Future Architecture Program (MAP) strategy. The direction for OCOMM/NASA is to (1) Enhance the Agency’s goal for speaking as one team in one voice; (2) Enable the Agency’s ability to develop an integrated communications capability with insight into all core functional areas;

and (3) Ensure the capability for communications services to be provided in the most efficient and effective manner possible. In order fulfill these goals to the greatest extent possible, the procurement strategy was to consolidate the aforementioned OCOMM requirements under one contract: This will allow for efficiencies, cross-utilization across the enterprise, as well as a single voice for the agency.

Additionally, NCS is being competed under the Agency strategic goal of MAP. The purpose of MAP is to optimize procurement and other services by moving toward a more interdependent model that enables the Agency to share capabilities across Centers, realign budget structure, and improve procurement services through collaboration. Therefore, no other contracting approaches were considered.

E. Describe the impacts of the acquisition strategy on contracting with small business concerns; be sure to specifically address:

The NCS acquisition approach includes the use of an 8(a) set-aside; therefore, no negative impact is anticipated. 8(a) firms will have the opportunity to enter into teaming agreements such as Joint Ventures with other 8(a) Firms, small businesses and a small percentage of subcontracts with large businesses.

Eighty-five percent of total communications services purchased on the 40 contracts utilized small businesses. This is anticipated to continue to the maximum extent possible with contractor teaming and NCS will be competed as an 8(a) set-aside.

F. Select all of the steps taken to include small business concerns in the acquisition strategy for the planned consolidation. In addition to numbers 1 and 2 below, include any other steps taken. Check all that apply below.

As discussed previously within this document, the RDT involved small business concerns to assist in the development of the acquisition strategy by involving them throughout the market research process. As a result of the information obtained in response to the RFI and Amendment 01, the determination was made to conduct this acquisition a single award 8(a) set-aside.

a. ☐ Incorporated recommended small business subcontracting goals in the draft and final request for proposal (RFP), in accordance with NPD 5000.2 Small Business Subcontracting Goals and NFS 1815.304(c)(4)(B).

b. ☐ Evaluation of offerors’ small business subcontracting commitment as a part of the evaluation criteria, NFS 1815.304(c)(4)(C).

III. Determination

In accordance with the findings provided above, I determine that it is in the best interest of the Agency to consolidate the aforementioned requirements. This written determination demonstrates that this consolidation is necessary and justified.