9. J and A NAS Workshop 2020 0903_Redacted.pdf

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY

8725 JOHN J. KINGMAN ROAD, STOP 6201

FORT BELVOIR, VA 22060-6201

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Nature and/or Description of Action

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency contracting activity proposes to procure without using full and open competition to establish a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) threat-forecasting workshop.

2. Description of the Supplies/Services Required

DTRA RD-CXQ has a need to improve threat forecasting, specifically, for rare events with very high consequences. The costs of adequate preparation for such events are high, as are the costs of insufficient preparedness. It is imperative to improve the identification and development of forecasting methods due to the limited financial resources available to the organization.

NAS will be tasked with coordinating a workshop, comprising of academic and private sector participants, to discuss rare event prediction methods, techniques, and best practices. The goal is to identify other applicable forecasting methods used in other fields of science, engineering, and medicine that will support RD-CXQ’s mission and the improvement of its developed products.

The period of performance is a one-year effort from date of award. The estimated cost is

$245,000.00 and is for new work.

3. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is 10 United States Code (U.S.C.)

2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302- 1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

4. Applicability of Authority

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars established by an Act of Congress. The NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. The challenge to adequately prepare for rare events is not unique to the national security community and NAS has the best insight into academia qualified to participate in a workshop. It is possible that the workshop participants will recommend follow-on procurements. Therefore, it is important that an organization with no vested interest in these procurements be in charge of the proceedings.

NAS has the unique capabilities and qualifications to provide the required threat-forecasting workshop. In addition, NAS will report the results of this workshop to DTRA and Congress to inform policy decisions, something a commercial source would not be able to accomplish.

5. Effort to Solicit Potential Sources

Notice will be published in accordance with (IAW) FAR Subpart 5.2 – Synopses of Proposed

Contract Actions.

6. Fair and Reasonable Costs

The anticipated cost/price of this contract action to the Government is determined to be fair and reasonable based on available historical data, online employment survey data, support via

DCAA and/or ONR, quotes/catalogs for procured items, and searchable online travel agencies.

7. Market Research

The program office market research revealed that commercial sources would cost twice the amount allocated to NAS, and provide a report quality with questionable impartiality and utility to the needs of DTRA and Congress.

8. Other Facts

NAS will appoint a workshop planning committee, which will attend a related conference at the

National Defense University.

9. Interested Sources - None.

10. Subsequent Actions

No subsequent actions are is anticipated. The nature of NAS as an institution, as detailed above, precludes widening competition to other parties.

Technical Certification

I certify that the data and information forming the basis for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

3Sept 2020

Program Manager Date

Contracting Officer Certification

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

Contracting Officer (<$700K) Date