JA19-030__SDC_CI_12_Month_Bridge_Redacted.pdf

Critical Infrastructure Information Technology Support-JA19-030

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JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL (J&A) FOR FEDERAL ACQUISITION

REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 16.5 ACQUISITIONS

EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Multiple Award Schedule/Multiple Award Contract (MAC)

Orders under MAC/ Fair Opportunity – FAR 16.505, Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) 216.505-70, Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) 216.505-70

Purchase Request Number: 831914197 Contract Number: HC102818D0016 Task/Delivery Order Number: To be Determined (TBD) Procurement Title: Critical Infrastructure Information Technology Support Estimated Value:

Authority: FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B)

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Number: JA19-030

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Head of Contracting Activity, hereby approve this exception to fair opportunity pursuant to the authority of FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).

1. REQUIRING AGENCY AND CONTRACTING OFFICE:

Requesting Agency:

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Joint Service Provider (JSP) 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301

Contracting Activity:

DISA/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO)/DISA Information Technology (IT) Services Section (PL8333)

DITCO, PL8333

2300 East Drive, Bldg. 3600 Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225-5406

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF ACTION(S): The nature of this action is to issue a cost-plus-fixed-fee bridge task order funded by procurement funds. This will be a follow-on bridge to the current NetCentrics contract for providing critical infrastructure information technology support services for the office of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Communications. The current contract, HQ0034-17-C-0056, was issued by Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Acquisition Directorate. This bridge is planned to be placed against the NetCentrics ENCORE III contract with DITCO.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: The overall objective of this bridge is to continue providing network infrastructure and engineering IT support to the immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense for a high availability, workstation-based, computer network. This includes a variety of IT and communications capabilities and complementary mobility solution, which are fully compliant with Department of Defense (DoD) standards-

Page 2 of 5 Pages based architectures and are required to attain and maintain Risk Management Framework certification (in accordance with DoDI 8510.01).

The total estimated value of this proposed bridge order is . The anticipated period of performance will be 12 months (January 12, 2019 to January 11, 2020). The order will include a 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, with an anticipated value up to (if fully exercised) to preclude the necessity for later noncompetitive actions if the follow-on is delayed or if a phase-in/phase-out period is required. The Option to Extend Services will not exceed 6- months.

4. SUPPORTING RATIONALE, INCLUDING A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE

PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE

ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY:

(a) Exception to Fair Opportunity. This action is authorized under FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), 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.

(b) Description of the Justification: Failure to extend services and award this bridge order to the incumbent, NetCentrics, poses a significant risk of potential lapse or degradation of IT services and would cause unacceptable delays in meetings the agency’s requirements.

(c) Justification.

(1) Minimum Government requirements. The overall objective is to continue providing network infrastructure and engineering IT support to the immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense for a high availability, workstation-based, computer network.

(2) Proposed sole source contractor. NetCentrics is currently the incumbent and is providing IT support within the SECDEF communications environment. NetCentrics has the expertise, knowledge, and possesses the necessary facility access and clearance to perform the work, which is paramount to providing continued IT services to the Government, while the Government is working the competitive acquisition.

(3) Discussion regarding cause of the sole source situation. A follow-on, competitive task order was awarded in September 2018 under the NetCents-2 contracting vehicle, but was subsequently protested. Through resolution of the protest, the follow-on award was canceled before performance began and the solicitation was canceled as well. Due to this, the current contract expires on January 11, 2019, and a follow-on bridge contract is required for continuous IT support services until a new competitive acquisition is awarded.

(4) Demonstration of unique source. Awarding services to a contractor other than NetCentrics would involve multiple transitions between potential contractors (incumbent contractor, bridge contractor, and follow-on competed contract contractor), which involves the Government paying multiple contractors for the transition of different contracts for continued IT support. These multiple transitions involve additional resources and unnecessary costs for the Government, and can cause unacceptable risks, delays, and interruptions in services.

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(5) Procurement discussion. Market research was completed for the canceled follow-on contract as identified in section 6 below and a new sources sought announcement is currently being completed for the follow-on competitive requirement, which required scope changes to meet the evolving requirement. The length of this bridge is expected to provide sufficient time to adequately complete updated market research efforts and execute the follow-on strategy for a timely transition to the new award.

(6) Impact. JSP is mandated by the May 1, 2015 memo from the Deputy Secretary of Defense, who “[approved] the implementation of the single service provider…and [directed] the immediate implementation of the Joint IT Single Service Provider- Pentagon (JITSSPP)” to “reduce redundancies and to unify and improve the way that IT capabilities and services are delivered at the Pentagon Reservation.” The JSP Mission, as stated in its Fiscal Year 2017 – 2018 Operational Goals, is to “provide timely, trustworthy, and dependable IT services.” A work stoppage in SECDEF Communication IT support services is unacceptable. In order to maintain continuity of support while the Government works to complete its competitive acquisition, a bridge task order to NetCentrics is the most logical and cost-effective solution to the Government.

Additionally, without these services, high-profile users will experience work stoppages due to malfunctioning IT equipment or the inability for IT equipment to be provisioned in a timely manner. Subsequently, these work stoppages will hinder and directly affect the DoD’s ability to provide support to and communicate to the warfighter. These services ensure that SECDEF Communications can continue to meet their mission, fulfill business requirements, and support warfighters. Continuing services provided by the incumbent is the most logical and cost- effective solution to the Government until the competitive follow-on is awarded and IT services are fully transitioned to the successor contractor.

5. COST/PRICE FAIR AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION: The Government will ensure that the final negotiated cost is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 15.404-1, “Proposal Analysis Techniques.” The Government will compare proposed costs to proposed rates under the contractor’s ENCORE III basic contract and historical prices paid by the Government under the current contract. The Government will also compare the proposed costs with the independent Government cost estimate prepared for the bridge contract.

6. MARKET RESEARCH: The Government conducted market research prior to soliciting this follow-on competitive action under the NetCents-2 contract vehicle that was subsequently protested and canceled. Due to substantive changes to the requirement, the Government will be issuing a new sources sought announcement for the follow-on that will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities in order to determine industry capabilities of meeting the competed follow-on requirements.

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS: Not applicable (N/A).

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

THAT LED TO THE EXCEPTION TO FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

(a) Procurement History.

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Contract Number: HQ0034-16-C-0059 Period of Performance: September 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 Competitive Status: Sole Source award to NetCentrics

Contract Number: HQ0034-17-C-0056 Period of Performance: July 1, 2017 - January 11, 2019 Competitive Status: Sole Source award to NetCentrics

(b) To remove the barriers to competition, as stated above, a new sources sought announcement is being completed for the revised follow-on requirement to determine the contractors available to compete the requirement. Based on the market research completed for the canceled follow-on requirement, it is expected that there are multiple contractors available that can compete the requirement. As such, the bridge effort is solely to allow the Government adequate time to complete the competitive acquisition and provide for a potential transition period to the awardee.

9. REFERENCE TO THE APPROVED ACQUISITION PLAN (AP): An AP is not required, in accordance with DISA Acquisition Regulation Supplement 7.103(S-92)(1)(iv).

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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: Melody Jeter SIGNATURE:

TITLE/ORGANIZATION: Acquisition Program Manager/JSP-JP8

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: Melody Jeter SIGNATURE:

TITLE/ORGANIZATION: Acquisition Program Manager/JSP-JP8

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

NAME: Matthew K. Wilkens SIGNATURE:

TITLE/ORGANIZATION: Contracting Officer/DISA/DITCO/PL8333

HEAD OF CONTRACTING ACTIVITY (HCA): 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 $93M, this review serves as approval and my written determination that the aforementioned FAR circumstances apply.

NAME: Douglas W. Packard SIGNATURE:

TITLE/ORGANIZATION: HCA, DITCO

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS JUSTIFICATION ARE TO BE REFERRED TO:

Robert Mitchell;