Appendix C Limited Source Justification FAR 8.405-6 Program Management JA Final Mar 6 2025_rdtKHca (005).pdf

Appendix C Limited Source Justification

FAR 8.405-6

SECTION I: Introduction The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), TSA Security Operations (SO), Mission Assurance Division, National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) and Chemical Explosives Branch (CEB) and Contracting and Procurement (C&P) propose to issue a Task Order that restricts the number of sources considered (FAR 8.405-6)

The procurement request number(s) are: PR257573B058 and PR255900A223, and C&P’s tracking number is JA- ‘2025’-1187.

Per FAR 8.405-6 (c), this acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program.

SECTION II: Description of Action Being Approved Contracting & Procurement (C&P) seeks to extend the period of performance for task order number 70T02024F5900N007, on the basis of other than full and open competition, for the continued delivery of program management services. The Program Management Support Services Blanket Purchase Agreement was re-competed and is under protest. The nine-month extension will provide coverage while the agency concludes the corrective action as needed.

(a) Contractor Name: Reli Group, Inc. (hereafter referred to as “Reli”) 7125 Ambassador Road, Suite 100, Windsor Mill, MD 21244

(b) Type of action: Firm Fixed-Price Contract, extended the current Task Order.

(c) Amount: $972,020.07.

(d) Year of funding: FY 2025.

(e) Period of Performance: Anticipated period of performance of the extension is one 3-month base and two 3-month optional periods for a total of 9 months.

Base: April 25, 2025 - July 24, 2025 Option Period 1: July 25 - October 24, 2025 Option Period 2: October 25, 2025 - January 24, 2026

(f) Other brief descriptive words and phrases: The current Task Order (70T02024F5900N007) expires on April 24, 2025. It is necessary to provide continuous, uninterrupted services for the NEDCTP and CEB and only Reli Group can provide the necessary services without a break in service.

SECTION III: Description of Supplies or Services TSA’s mission is to protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. The purpose of this requirement is to provide Program Management Support Services to TSA NEDCTP which is a congressional mandated program with Explosive Detection Canine Teams in over 40 states and territories.

The contract with the RELI Group, provides the following mission essential resources coordination, development and execution of the following TSA activities to include but is not limited to K9 coordination, special event schedule, distribution of the canine explosive training aids (CETA) and program management support. This includes overseeing training status for canine teams, operations management, as well as capital planning and procurement support to NEDCTP and CEB, as explained in Section V, these services can only be performed under an extension to the current task order to Reli to continue mission critical services until corrective action is concluded and a decision is made for the new Program Management Blanket Purchase Agreement.

Limited Source Justification

SECTION IV: Identification of the Limited Source Consideration Rationale FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(A) Urgent and compelling need exists and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. * Note: if using “brand name”, clearly explain why brand name or equal is not a viable solution.

FAR 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(C) 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.

♦ Original Order Number:

FAR 8.405-6 (b) Items peculiar to one manufacturer.

SECTION V: Description of Limited Source Rationale Due to the ongoing protest with the IPMSS contract vehicle, there is a need to extend the current task order for up to 9 months to allow continuity of operations while the protest is being resolved and a new BPA call can be awarded. To begin a new competition under a new vehicle would be a detriment to the Government as it would take time for solicitation and award as well as the two months required for staff onboarding. During this time, TSA would be without these critical services such as CETA fabrication and distribution to canine units nationwide.

The contractor is supporting the TSA National Explosive Detection Canine Team Program which is a congressional mandated program with Explosive Detection Canine Teams in over 40 states and territories. Currently, Reli personnel provides the following services, processing of all explosives-related documentation, preparation and distribution of canine explosive training aids, providing all support for invitational travel for high security events, in addition to providing the listed services Reli also provides input on operational assessments, logistics planning and asset management. This program plays a critical role in securing the Nation’s transportation systems by deploying canine teams throughout the states and territories.

The services are vital and are deemed mission critical. The contractor provides the following mission essential resources: (1) supports the fabrication and distribution of explosive training aids to TSA Explosive Detection Canine Teams across the nation that are required for training and evaluation purposes to maintain the certification of the TSA Explosives Detection Canine Teams; (2) manages inventories of training aids to include receipt and disposition of damaged training aids; (3) manages the execution of travel and logistical requirements for TSA Explosive Detection Canine Teams assigned to provide mission essential security at National Special Security Events (NSSEs) or Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) events (e.g.

Superbowl - Presidential Inauguration); (4) manages the operational readiness and training status of the TSA Explosive Detection Canine Teams required to maintain Explosive Detection Canine Teams operations at Transportation modes across the nation; (5) manages assignment of newly hired canine handlers to training classes; and (6) disseminates high visibility communication for operational decision making.

The scope of services is continued and are vital to the operations of the NEDCTP and CEB and are deemed mission critical.

Reli has the unique and highly specialized understanding of the scope of the effort requiring their continued work. A lapse in program management services would disrupt critical daily operations and jeopardize TSA’s mission to protect the nation’s transportation systems and ensure the free movement of people and commerce.

TSA requires continuous support for the NEDCTP and CEB, and only the current provider, can deliver uninterrupted services without incurring additional startup costs or delays. Reli has the required security clearance and cleared personnel onboard that can continue to accomplish this work given their existing knowledge and experience of the ongoing mission critical Canine Team tasks/requirements. The contractor is currently working on after action reports from the NSSE and SEAR events and coordinating with canine groups for CETA distributions. Transitioning to a new contractor would involve extra expenses and time for hiring and training, further this will create unnecessary risk to the public. To begin a new competition under a new vehicle would be a detriment and duplication of cost to the Government.

It is in the best interest of the Government to extend the current Task Order to Reli on a sole source basis to ensure continued operations while the agency performs corrective action in response to the protest and to ensure full support of activities needed for an efficient transition to the new competitive awardee. Reli is the onlysource capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required because the services are unique or highly specialized.

SECTION VI: Contracting Officer’s Determination that the Order Represents the Best Value The Contracting Officer has determined that the pricing for the 9-month extension to be the same monthly pricing as the current period of performance, which were determined fair and reasonable at award. Additionally, the Contracting Officer will ensure that the resulting order represents the best value by comparing the Reli proposal to the independent government cost estimate and reviewing historical pricing, to determine the price to be fair and reasonable.

SECTION VII: Market Research Description A request for information was conducted in support of the competitive procurement and was used as market research for these services for this sole source extension. The market research revealed that there are companies technically capable of completing these services. Although, there are other firms with the technical capabilities to meet the requirements of the Government. TSA requires Reli to provide continuity of services with no lapse or interruption until the protest is resolved.

There would be a detrimental impact to transportation security if the training and certification schedules for EDCTP was interrupted due to the inability to deploy EDCT throughout the nation. This will impact the security at airports and mass transit facilities.

SECTION VIII: Other Facts Supporting the Limited Sources Justification The requested extension is a short-term solution allowing the Government to have continuation of critical services during the resolution of the protest(s).

SECTION IX: Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competitions Once the protest is resolved, a BPA Call will be competed amongst the IPMSS BPAs which were competed under a competitive solicitation under the GSA Schedule.

SECTION X: Contracting Officer Certification I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Melany Pollock Signature Date SECTION XI: Technical or Requirements Personnel Certification I certify that this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Kristopher Honeycutt Signature Date

SECTION XII: Concurrence and Approval The required levels of concurrence and approval of this Limited Sourced Justification depend on the estimated total value of the procurement. Concurrence and approval must be obtained for that level and each previous level.

Estimated Procurement Value:

$2,000 and greater for Construction

$2,500 and greater for Services $10,000 and greater for Supplies

Concurrence:

Program Manager:

Mark Waldron Signature Date Acquisition Official Approval:

Contracting Officer:

Melany Pollock Signature Date Estimated Procurement Value: Greater than $250,000

Division Director:

Robyn Towles Signature Date

Estimated Procurement Value: Greater than $750,000

TSA Competition Advocate:

Charles Eppright Signature Date Estimated Procurement Value: Greater than $15,000,000

Head of Contracting Activity:

Name (Printed) Signature Date Estimated Procurement Value: Greater than $75,000,000

DHS Chief Procurement Officer

Name (Printed) Signature Date

Appendix C Limited Source Justification