FOE - JTT FA8730-19-F-0028 P00019_Redacted.pdf

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

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March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 4

The current task order was competed giving fair opportunity under the full and open NETCENTS-II Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) ordering vehicle, FA873215D0002. The ordering period for the NETCENTS-II Full and Open vehicle is 31 Mar 15 through 30 Mar 22, with the execution period being 31 Mar 15 through 30 Mar 25. Ceiling is available on this IDIQ and approved for this action in the amount listed above. This extension will continue to utilize a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, by creating an Option Period 5, which mirrors previous option CLINs, and bring the total life of the contract to 3 years and 6 months. This total Period of Performance does not exceed the statutory limit, nor the ordering period of the IDIQ.

This action is appropriate "in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract" and "all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order" FAR 16.505-(b)(2)(i)(C). Per AFFARS 5302.101, "Bridge Action...Extension of services executed in accordance with FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, is not considered a bridge action, regardless of whether or not it was negotiated and included in the original contract, unless or until the total six (6) month extension allowed is exceeded."

(3) Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agency's needs:

Joint Targeting Toolbox (JTT) is an Air Combat Command (ACC)-sponsored capability which provides standardized, secure, automated decision support for joint and allied commanders worldwide. The system is deployed at command and control nodes at the national, force and component elements in support of decision-makers and will include targeting capabilities compatible within the force/theater-level common operating environments (plan, execute, and assess). JTT supports joint/coalition combat operations which support integrated air, ground, naval, space and cyber targeting functions throughout the joint targeting cycle, to include objectives, target development, capabilities analysis, force assignment, force execution and assessment, working seamlessly between multiple security domains. JTT gives the targeting community the ability to be interoperable and collaborative across the joint enterprise. The system allows end-to-end target planning, via host/core service and joint C2 systems, by targeteers and target specialists at all planning levels and nodes.

These 6 months will continue existing development, sustainment, training, and operational efforts, in support of the joint targeting community and end users. This includes continued CP sustainment and RDP development and integration, helpdesk support for all currently fielded JTT baselines, targeting end-user training sessions, and agile releases to Amazon Web Services (AWS) SIPRNet Commercial Cloud Services SC2S (SIPR) and Commercial Cloud Services C2S (JWICS) cloud infrastructure. Additionally, contracted personnel will attend all required technical exchange meetings, targeting conferences, and program office and stakeholder telecons and discussions, as required to maintain effectiveness and learning.

This effort continues to fit under the scope of NETCENTS-II. As such, this FOE will result in added work to the existing order that was issued from NETCENTS-II. The estimated cost has been approved by the NETCENTS-II PMO and should it be exceeded, this FOE will be amended and re-approved.

(4) Identification of the exception to fair opportunity and the supporting rationale:

The statutory authority that permits an exception to Fair Opportunity for this acquisition is implemented by FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C), "The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order."

The sustainment of JTT and IOTA delivers critical capabilities to the joint targeting community, and ensures that DoD mandated requirements are being met for the end users on a rapid and daily basis. Additionally, the sustainment efforts continuously deliver software that follows agile development processes and industry standards for maintainability, and

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

March 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 4 enables collaborative updates to the JTT team and its stakeholders.

These mission-critical tasks and efforts would experience significant disruption if the government did not issue this 6 month follow-on order. Because of the rapid growth of new MARS, it is beneficial and cost-effective for the Government and JTT program to continue in the interest of economy and efficiency for this short 6-month period on a sole source basis with BAE Systems, until a new contract can be competed.

These tasks and efforts are all critical to continued sustainment of JTT CP and development of MARS, for the joint targeting community and its user base. Extending services with BAE Systems, will ensure there is no interruption with these mission needs for the war-fighter, while a new contract can be competed and the awardee can be brought up to speed.

(5) Contracting Officer's determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The original contract was a competitive award, under FAR Subpart 16.5. This extension of services is being sought pursuant to FAR 52.217-8, which states that the contractor shall continue performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract, with the only adjustment being available for prevailing labor rates. The cost elements of this contract are based on previously negotiated rates for professional services, not labor rates that are set by prevailing wage rates, and therefor are not subject to escalation based on Secretary of Labor published rates. Those cost elements will be based on the existing contract negotiated rates, and the only adjustment to those CLIN amounts will be due to the six month Period of Performance versus the annual Period of Performance found on the existing CLINs. Therefore, this extension of services will be added without further negotiation to cost elements.

(6) Other facts supporting the justification:

When the JTT program transitioned to BAE Systems in 2016, it took approximately nine months for the program to get back up to an acceptable level of development and operations. Because of this transition time and the program impacts it caused for the user community, the DoD Inspector General conducted a program investigation in 2017. During this time the T&G PMO had full program office resources to help with the program transition, including government engineers, MITRE support, program SME's, and contractor engineers. Even with this optimal level of government support to a new vendor, it was still not enough to avert severe interruption to the JTT program. Currently, the JTT team is very small and not resourced to support another vendor transition similar to 2016.

(7) Actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to increasing fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services:

The Government intends to compete the follow-on contact efforts beyond this 6 month PoP, but the final decision will be based on the Government's requirements and market research. JTT has not always been a contract to BAE, however, in the current changes to the requirement (growth of the program scope) it must be adequately researched and prepared to mitigate risk in loss of effectiveness to the warfighter in the transition process that will occur with the competition, which is currently under-development.

As such, through RFIs and unsolicited contact, interest has arisen from nearly a dozen potential vendors who might be capable of providing support for JTT. From this, research is being done and acquisition plans are being drawn up now to compete this requirement as soon as the new changes to the Government's requirements are finalized.