Determinations and Findings 14 Jan Rdct.pdf

3. The determination is coordinated with the agency’s Office of Small Business Programs. [FAR 7.107-2 (a)(3), and 13 CFR. 125.2(d)(1)(i)(C)]

This determination has been coordinated with, the Director, SAF/SB, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 644(k), FAR 7.107-2(a)(3) and 19.201(c)(13), DAFFARS 5301.707(c), AFI 90-1801 Secs. 1.2.13.2 and 1.2.15.2, and the requirements throughout 13 CFR 125.2.

4. Any negative impacts by the acquisition strategy on contracting with Small Business concerns have been identified. [FAR 7.107-2 (a)(4)]

As a result of this MAC, there is no known negative impact on small businesses as it is not plausible to know what future S&T work would have been awarded to small business.

Moreover, at the Task Order level, requirements might only compete among all SB awardees thus resulting in more small business opportunities. Furthermore, the Task Order Contracting Officer may choose to set aside orders to various socioeconomical disadvantaged small businesses thus creating more opportunity for SB awards and SBIR/STTR Phase III preference shall apply where appropriate.

5. Steps taken to include Small Business concerns in the acquisition strategy.

In coordination with legal, policy, and the AFRL Small Business office, it Per DFARS 215.304(c) and PGI, small business participation commitment evaluation shall apply separately from the small business subcontracting plan. It has determined that “offers” can reasonably be expected from at multiple responsible Small Business concerns, in accordance with FAR 19.502-2. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Government to develop a pool to allow for Task Order set aside to Small Business concerns.

6. Substantial mission-critical benefits from consolidation exceed benefits from alternative approaches. [FAR 7.107-2(b), (c), (d), and (e)]

The Government has identified specific mission-critical benefits which justify consolidation.

Pursuant to FAR 7.107-2(d), these mission-critical benefits need not be quantified where doing so is not feasible. Such benefits need not reach the FAR 7.107-2(d) measurably substantial benefit thresholds of 5 or 10 percent of the total estimated contract value, depending on the type of benefit.

6.1. Price Reductions or Cost Savings [FAR 7.107-2(c)]

This acquisition addresses a mission critical need to create a new contract vehicle to support S&T requirements within AFRL. This approach is not projected to result in cost savings to the Government for individual projects, but the nature of this contract being an IDIQ, when compared to issuing stand-alone slate selections, will ensure Government resources are used efficiently during the task order solicitation, negotiation, and award process. It is possible that task order pricing may include cost savings if projects are awarded to firms whose staff are most appropriate, or where the firm is so qualified that they have extreme efficiencies in their design process due to extensive experience in that specific realm of requirements. While project cost savings are not expected to be significant, the performance benefits expected to be provided under AMAC are notable as this contract will ensure selection of the Most Highly Qualified firms specifically experienced with S&T. No other tool exists that can ensure this quality of firms in a manner as efficient as a multiple award IDIQ contract. While direct project cost savings are not the primary driver, the efficiencies gained through the IDIQ structure will free up Government resources for other critical programs.

6.2 Quality Improvements That Will Save Time or Improve or Enhance Performance or Efficiency. [FAR 7.107-2 (c)(1)]:Reduction in Acquisition Cycle Times. [FAR 7.107-2 (c)(2)]: Better Terms and Conditions [FAR 7.107- 2 (c)(3)]

The consolidated MAC approach offers several key advantages: improved quality that enhances performance and saves time due to familiarity with the S&T realm of requirements and standards, a shortened acquisition cycle, standardized terms and conditions across all task orders and reduced administrative expenses associated with the acquisition process. Firms with experience in government S&T activities are better equipped to provide successful outcomes. Most importantly, AMAC approach leads to the potential for standardized statement of objective approaches, which can result in reduction in variability in specifications created, reduced long term proposal processes, and more expeditious application of the resulting deliverables for AFRL.

6.3 Any Other Benefit [FAR 7.107-2(c)(4)].

The specific benefits of this approach include quality improvements that will save time and enhance performance, a reduction in acquisition cycle time, consistent terms and conditions, and a reduction in administrative costs associated with the acquisition process.

6.4 Administrative and Personnel Cost Savings [FAR 7.107-2(d)(3)]

Greater efficiencies by Government resources are realized through reduced need for repetitive and redundant pre-award acquisition requirements, as well as reduced time associated with administration of task orders versus administration of stand-alone contracts. For example, any changes to clauses or other overarching terms and conditions can be made on the basic AMAC, that is then applicable to all task orders, whereas with individual stand-alone contracts, any clause adjustments would be required to be executed for each individual contract. Further, due to the efficiencies gained by executing a task order (FAR 16.5) versus individual stand alone contracts ( FAR 15.3) for each project is estimated to save thousands of man-hours per year across a multitude of Government resources (contracting, project management, engineering, legal, policy, small business office, etc) in administrative and personnel costs.

7. The determination that the anticipated benefits of the proposed consolidated contract and related orders justify its use. [FAR 7.107-2]

Solicitation and award of the AFRL Multiple Award IDIQ Contract will ensure resource allocation challenges and performance risks managed at the AMAC level. The time, cost and manhour savings can be converted into not only administrative cost savings on AMAC, but also on the opportunity represented by allowing AFRL to redirect those resources and savings into supporting other critical programs that must be prioritized by AFRL and/or DAF.

DETERMINATION

In accordance with FAR 7.107-2(e), DAFFARS MP 5301.601-90(a)(i), as the AFRL SCO, I have determined that consolidation that could occur is necessary and justified for this class of acquisitions. This justification is based on:

(1) Expected benefits that are mission-critical for the agency’s success, regardless of the quantifiable value of such benefits; and

(2) The acquisition strategy that provides for maximum practicable participation by small businesses.

Director of Contracting Air Force Research Laboratory