A04 JOFOCWHS20251564 Redacted 7-14-26.pdf

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED: RAND NDRI, a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1984, is one of ten DoW FFRDCs. Each FFRDC specializes in specific core competencies approved by Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering OUSW(R&E). RAND NDRI is the only FFRDC specializing in a unique set of 16 core competencies approved by the OUSW(R&E). These competencies are vital to advancing research and analysis in critical national security and technology areas. RAND NDRI's primary mission is to address complex national security challenges that cannot be met as effectively by other government or contractor resources. This work demands unquestioned objectivity, independence from conflicts of interest, and the confidentiality required to handle sensitive military and intelligence information.

Awarding this contract is essential to maintain RAND NDRI's ability to provide this support to DoW. This requirement will ensure the continuation of vital security and intelligence projects for DoW agencies. Without it, the DoW would lose access to a quick-response, objective entity deeply familiar with its needs, creating a significant disadvantage against our adversaries and potentially impacting national security. To fulfill its mission, RAND NDRI maintains:

An in-depth knowledge of defense forces, systems, technologies, operational concepts, policies, and strategies.

Extensive databases and institutional knowledge of military operations, organizations, and DoW business functions.

A high-quality, interdisciplinary research staff that provides both institutional memory and state-of-the-art analytical expertise.

OUSW(A&S) has conducted the comprehensive review required by FAR 35.407(a), documenting the continued need for this FFRDC. The review confirms the long-term strategic relationship between the DoW and RAND NDRI is necessary to address national security issues that require a comprehensive understanding of the DoW's problems and perspectives.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: Pursuant to FAR 35.404(b), a notice of the proposed contract action was synopsized on SAM.gov on January 28, 2025. The Government received one response from industry from this synopsis, T-Fox LLC. The Government reviewed the response provided and found that this company does not have the experience across the required 16 core competencies.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: I hereby determine that the anticipated price for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The techniques identified at FAR 15.404 will be used to ensure award will be at fair and reasonable prices.

A certificate of certified cost or pricing data will be obtained in accordance with FAR 15.403-4. Fair and reasonable costs will be determined by an in-depth analysis of historical hours and costs, a technical recommendation from the program office, and the utilization of field audit assistance from Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). DCAA and Defense Contract Management Agency�s input will be solicited to determine if RAND�s business systems have been audited and determined to be adequate. DCAA auditors and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will also provide, on a full-time basis, the surveillance required to monitor a cost reimbursement contract after award. Final incurred costs will also be audited by the DCAA.

8. MARKET RESEARCH: Pursuant to FAR 35.407, a Comprehensive Review (CR) of the use and need for an FFRDC is required prior to entering into a sponsoring agreement, awarding a contract or terminating the use of an FFRDC. The CR includes consideration of alternative sources to meet the DoW needs. This analysis includes special research, engineering, or analytic skills, and capabilities required to accomplish FFRDC tasks and an explanation of why Government personnel, for-profit or not-for-profit contractors, university-affiliated organizations, or other existing FFRDCs cannot meet those requirements as effectively. The CR includes consideration of alternative sources to meet the sponsor's needs pursuant to FAR 35.407(b)(2) and serves the function of market research.

The special skills, competencies, and capabilities required to accomplish these tasks must adapt to reflect the changes in the technological environment and DoW perspectives. The technical depth and expertise required by the organization must be capable of providing DoW a unique synergy among the seemingly disparate views from the many users of the FFRDC. This support must be knowledgeable, technically skilled, and structured to provide unbiased technical advice for a wide range of national security issues. The work addresses issues of both long-term and immediate concern, and often requires privileged access to information, including sensitive Government information and industry proprietary data not normally available to non-Government organizations.

Alternate sources to fulfill the research and analysis needs of , are considered as part of the CR. All work sponsors provide feedback if the marketplace offers an acceptable alternative source to accomplish all or part of the anticipated work. Of the work sponsors that responded, they are consistent in their views that there are not any practical alternative sources to meet their needs. In-house personnel are not a feasible alternative for the work to be performed by RAND NDRI because there are not enough available in-house personnel with the necessary scientific, technical, and analytical expertise with a knowledge of the sponsors� systems, problems, missions, operations, and needs.

9. OTHER FACTS: None.

10. INTERESTED SOURCES: To date, no other sources have expressed an interest in writing to satisfy the requirements of this justification.

11. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: As noted above, there are no other FFRDCs that specialize in this set of core competency areas including the Institute for Defense Analyses and Center for Naval Analyses. Therefore, no other FFRDC except RAND NDRI is able to meet the Government�s requirements. WHS/AD has no plans at this time to compete future requirements for the types of services covered by this JOFOC. If another potential source emerges, WHS/AD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

12. Is this acquisition for a non-competitive follow-on acquisition previously awarded on a non-competitive basis?

Yes. A copy of the previous justification is attached. The actions to remove any barriers to competition cited on the previous justification were were not completed.

No. The original acquisition was conducted on a competitive basis.

Not Applicable. This is a new requirement.