JA_Boren_2Mos Ext_Redacted.pdf

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition CUI, Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

CUI, Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 2

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

DHRA requires the extension the firm-fixed price and time and materials services contract awarded to Institute of International Education (IIE) (H9821021C0002) by two months to provide continued support to the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO), Boren and Flagship initiatives. This extension is being done in accordance with FAR Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which is in the contract.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

The DLNSEO office requires specialized support for the National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, and The Language Flagship grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) per the NSEP legislation in 50 U.S.C.

§1901 et seq. David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are United States (U.S.) citizens studying languages, cultures, and regions of the world critical to national security. The Language Flagship grants to IHEs transform foreign language education so that students who participate in the supported initiative at these institutions graduate with both a professional level ability in a foreign language critical to U.S. national security together with expertise in their academic field. The services required for this effort include execution of competitive candidate selection processes for awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants, and the distribution of funding to award recipients for the duration of each scholarship, fellowship, and grant per guidance from the government.

During performance of this contract, IIE has competitively awarded one-year awards of Boren Scholarships and Fellowships and Language Flagship grants to institutions of higher education. This two-month extension will align the Boren Scholarship and Language Flagship grants dates with the contract period of performance, which will ensure the efficient use of the current resources allocated to those initiatives while also complying with legislative funding expectations.

The independent government cost estimated value of the requirement is for two months of continued support to cover the management and administration costs associated with monitoring and finalizing all sub-award activities. Fiscal Year 25 Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funds in the amount of will be used.

IV. Statutoryauthoritypermitting Other than Full and Open Competition.

The contract award was made using the statutory authority derived from 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5, Authorized or required by statute. The authorizing statute is The National Security Education Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-183, codified as amended at 50 U.S.C. §1902, Scholarship, fellowship, and grant program) provides that “…the Secretary (of Defense) may enter into one or more contracts with private national organizations having an expertise in foreign languages, area studies, counter proliferation studies and other international fields, for the awarding of scholarships, fellowships, and grants without regard to section 6101 of Title 41 or any other provision of law that requires use of competitive procedures.”

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

IIE offers the highly specialized, requisite knowledge of scholarship, fellowship, overseas study programs, and higher institution-based foreign language programs, and other issues relevant to the U.S. higher education system. IIE possesses the broad base of expertise necessary for effective administration and oversight of NSEP programs obtained from its active oversight on numerous federal initiatives engaged in scholarship and fellowship administration, long-standing relationships with higher education institutions, and active participation in relevant professional networks. IIE’s institutional experience, efficient operations, and timely and cost-effective management of the NSEP projects demonstrate IIE’s unique qualifications. The nature of this acquisition meets the use of the authority at 50 U.S.C. §1902(a)(4), scholarship, fellowship, and grant program. And, pursuant to FAR 6.302-5, full and open competition need not be provided where a statute expressly authorizes. Further, at this time there are no other known contractors that possess the expertise necessary to administer the complex interdependent activities that comprise the management of the NSEP initiative and would require years of program re-development from the model in use today.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Not applicable, as this is a request for extension of the current contract.