CUI_JBLM JEFO 2026_42_Redacted.pdf

Control No.:2026-42

Justification Review Document FAR Part 16 Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

Pro ram/Equipment:

g A .

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3406(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 16.507-6(b)(1) The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays

Amount: $1.4 million

Prepared by:

Contracting Officer:

Technical:

Requirements:

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support an exception to fair opportunity.

AMC MILCON Program Manager:

The Directorate of Public Works (DPW) at Fort Polk, Louisianag q p ( ) , (FPLA) has a requirement for an Architect and Engineer Project for Rotational Unit( ) q Billeting Area (RUBA).

FAR Part 16 Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

1. Requiring Activity: Department of Public Works (DPW), Fort Polk, Louisiana 71459.

2. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) - Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), 2015 N 4th St. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98438.

3. Description of Action: Request approval to award a Firm-Fixed-Priced Task Order against contract FA8903-21-D-0007 with HDR n ir me Opera ns n i CAGE: 0MP11, and 4111 S Darlington Ave, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK 74135.

The Government projects award for March 2026 and fiscal year 2026 Military Construction funds will be used.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: Architectural & Engineering services to support the Army Material Command (AMC) in the planning, design, and construction of the Rotational Unit Billetin Area RUBA at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The scope of work

Base Period: 1 APR 2026 to 31 MAR 2027 Value: $1.4 million

6. Reason for Authority Cited: As prescribed in FAR 16.507-6(b)(1), when the agency�s need for the supplies or services is of such an urgent matter that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits proposals, full and open competition need not be provided for.

a. Background.

1) In February 2021, the U.S Air Force Installation Contracting Center (AFICC) awarded a set of Architect-Engineer (A&E) engineering services contracts under the Architect-Engineer Next (AE Next) Program. The program consists of 17 contracting companies who provide services related to traditional design, construction inspection, and other engineering work that supports mission ready infrastructure. IAW FAR 36.6 and 40 U.S.C. 1101 -1104, requirements for A&E services are awarded based on demonstrated competence and qualifications and not price competition. The program is the most advantageous tool for delivering complex and innovative construction programs that meet mission priorities. The A-E Next program also offers several other

HDR Environmental, Operations andg Construction, The scope of workg ( ) , p includes program mana ement technical design reviews, construction oversight, andp g g , g , g , planning integration to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality projects withinp g g prescribed budgets and schedules.

5. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 3406 c)(1) as implemented b FAR 16.507-6(b)(1 they ( )( ) p y ( )( ) agenc need for the supplies or services is so ur ent that providing a fair opportunityg y pp g would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the need.

benefits, including: pre-negotiated rates, faster award times, standardized process, and decentralized ordering.

2) FPLA was selected as a pilot installation utilizing a prototype of 3-D construction printing for the Army�s Rotational Unit Billeting Area (RUBA). The FPLA RUBA Project is aimed at enhancing military readiness, modernizing facilities, and supporting the Army's Military Construction, Facility Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization, and Unspecified Military Construction programs. It serves as a model to support on-going contingency operations in the Middle East and the world. Army Material Command requires A-E support services to assist with the planning, design, and construction oversight of the FPLA RUBA project. The projects include facilities such as barracks, latrines, headquarters/office space, and security. The FPLA RUBA project consists of two separate contract actions, though independent of one another, cannot be accomplished unless both actions have been awarded. The first is the A-E support which is required to manage, provide construction oversight, and modify architectural designs as required. The second action uses Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to acquire state-of-the-art construction 3-D printing of various buildings and facilities. The combined projects will demonstrate the feasibility to execute both the 3-D construction printing and oversight support via contractor resources. On 6 March 2026, the OTA portion was awarded and is currently paused until the A&E award can be completed.

3) Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) has an A&E requirement of similar scope and support in relation to the requirement at FPLA. It has been through all formal processes to identify the most qualified firm that resulted in selection of HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction as the most qualified vendor. Based on: 1) the urgent need to prove concept feasibility for deployment to the Middle East to support on-going contingency operations, and 2) the vendor�s qualifications, awarding a sole-source contract/task order to HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction is in the best interest of the United States Government.

b. Alternatives.

1) Suspension of Contract Support. Suspending the OTA contract would cause critical disruption of the RUBA project and potentially negatively impacting mission readiness and deployment of this concept to the Middle East. Therefore, this alternative is not viable.

2) Use of In-House resources. Fort Polk DPW and Department of the Army lack sufficient manpower, technical expertise and resources to perform a project of this scope and magnitude. The United States Army does not contemplate acquiring adequately trained personnel within the Government timely to meet current mission requirements. Attempting to initiate actions to increase the Government workforce to accomplish this mission would take years; thus, assuring mission failure due to inadequate time to recruit, staff, and train the workforce. Therefore, this alternative is not viable.

c. Additional Information.

1) This acquisition represents the first procurement for this requirement. There is no prior contract history or incumbent contractor for these A-E support services at Fort Polk.

2) The Government�s requirement to award the A&E portion of the FPLA RUBA project is of such an urgent matter that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources.

This requirement serves as a proof-of-concept action to support on-going contingency operations in the Middle East and the world. Army Material Command requires A-E support services to assist with the planning, design, and construction oversight of projects. Therefore, based on the limited time available to meet the Government�s essential need, it is not the time required to complete the competitive award but the time available to prevent any serious delays to the FPLA RUBA Project.

d. Impact if justification is not approved: Disapproval of the J&A will result in failure of the RUBA project to begin in a timely manner, and a prolonged disruption in services negatively impacting AMC�s mission.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.101(b), this action will not be synopsized due to the unusual and compelling urgency of the requirement.

Effective competition:

Thus, putting performance under the OTA award at risk.

, covering the government�s current A&E requirement for the OTA contract. This non-competitive solution ensures the scope of the sole-source award is strictly confined to the critical timeline of the OTA Project.

For requirements that may arise beyond this justification timeframe, the contracting office is committed to promoting a fair and competitive environment. The office anticipates follow-on work will be competed via fair opportunity through the A&E Next Program or the forthcoming A&E MATOC executed by MICC Fort Campbell, KY.

The contracting officer has determined there are no subcontracting opportunities and the determination and findings have been approved by one level above the contracting officer.

8. Market Research: On 5 March 2026, the Contract Specialist conducted market research regarding A&E services. IAW FAR 36.6 and 40 U.S.C. 1101 - 1104, requirements for A&E services are awarded based on demonstrated competence and qualifications and not price competition. The Air Force Civil Engineer A&E NEXT IDIQ Contract is a Tier 2 Multi-Agency Solutions available for all DoD organizations that require A&E support. The A&E Next consists of three (3) Pools of contractors available:

Pool 1, Pool 3, and Pool 4. Based on the scope of work and complexity of the FPLA RUBA project, Pool 4 is the only option for this project which consists of a total of 17 contractors: two (2) small businesses and 15 large businesses.

Pool 4 is appropriate for all general infrastructure and facility design projects too complex for most Small Businesses. The A-E Next program does allow for exceptions to fair opportunity so long as the Contracting Officer adheres to the appropriate guidelines under FAR part 16, and a Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity is executed.

Given the urgent need for this proof of concept to support ongoing military operations in the Middle East and enhance force projection, a deviation from fair opportunity is warranted.

9. Other Facts:

Procurement History: Although this is an independent requirement for A-E services at Fort Polk, it is also one of several prototype projects under the AMC to design and develop new construction techniques or technologies to improve facilities on military installations. Through market research, it was found that the A-E Next Program is also being utilized for the AMC FORGE Project at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

we propose leveraging the extensive acquisition and market research already performed by Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). Their process resulted in the determination of HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction, Inc. as the most qualified contractor. Therefore, we recommend the approval of this justification to select HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction, Inc. for the A-E 3D Design. This will also maximize AMC�s ability to manage and oversee both projects simultaneously.

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Architectural and Engineering 3 Dimensional Design services using an exception to fair opportunity pursuant to the authority of Title 10 United States Code Section 3406(c)(1), the agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the need, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.507-6(b)(1) � �the agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.� The estimated value of the contract is $1.4 million for a one-year period of performance from April 2026 through March 2027. This approval is subject to the availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

SCOTT D. KUKES

Alternate Advocate for Competition U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX