EFO 21-0295 (redact).pdf

21-0295

Valiant is the only company that possesses the capability to assume performance for this requirement on 1 July 2021. The current USMC TO was competed under the Fielded Training Systems Support (FTSS) III Multiple Award Contract (MAC) and is scheduled to expire on 30 June 2021. NAWCTSD issued a solicitation and subsequently awarded a follow-on USMC TO that began mobilization on 1 May with a Contract Start Date of 1 July 2021. However, two Government Accountability Office (GAO) protests were received on 10 May resulting in a statutorily required stay of performance for the awarded contract, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3553(d)(3)(A)(i) and 4(A)(ii). NAWC TSD is taking corrective action, thus this bridge will allow time for the corrective action to take place, and re-award. It also allows for more time in the event of a subsequent protest. Seeking another source at this juncture, without the award of a bridge, would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. It would create a void in on-site training system maintenance, both scheduled and unscheduled, and preclude training in the fielded training systems due to lack of operators and instructors, severely impacting readiness and training for the USMC squadrons. The non-availability of training systems for Fleet training would necessitate 100% of USMC training occurring in the various aircraft, increasing cost of training, wear and tear on aircraft, and risks to aircraft and personnel safety. This is estimated to equate to approximately 90,670 hours of training that would have to be provided from the military. As Valiant is currently performing on the existing USMC TO and has qualified personnel in place at each of the five CONUS sites, it is the only source that can support a start date of 1 July 2021 without a mobilization period.

5. A Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this EFO will be fair and reasonable.

6. Any other Facts Supporting the Justification.

On 12 May 2021, all FTSS IV MAC Holders were notified of the Government’s intent to issue a bridge to Valiant, providing an extension to the services that it is currently providing under N61340-11-D-1003-0005. Responses were requested no later than 17 May 2021, and no responses were received other than acknowledgements of receipt. The lack of any response to this outreach effort confirms the assertion that no source other than Valiant will satisfy the agency requirements. The PCO will address any responses received prior to TO award.

7. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers that Led to the Exception to Fair Opportunity before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services is Made.

The NAWCTSD Procurement Department is awaiting a resolution of the protests in order to award a competitive FFP contract to continue services in support of the USMC. Other than the reasons discussed in paragraph 4 which are specific to this bridge TO, there are no barriers to competition that are applicable to these re-occurring services.