FREEDOM250 CIVIC EDUCATION DIGITAL CONTENT SERIES J and A Redacted_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY

Department of State Contracting Activity

Acquisition Management

Requiring Activity

Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Executive Office (R/EX)

SECTION 2: NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED

Approval is requested to solicit and award on a sole-source basis a contract to ATTN: Inc.

(RVN8LCBYWZA4) for the supplies and/or services described in Section 3 on behalf of the Requiring Activity.

The contemplated contract is anticipated to be firm-fixed price.

SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY�S NEEDS

R/EX is seeking contractor support to deliver a fully integrated suite of services necessary to develop, produce, and distribute a short-form digital media campaign targeting primarily foreign audiences, with content also accessible to domestic viewers. The Contractor shall produce twenty (20) vertical video deliverables, consisting of ten (10) primary episodes of approximately 90 seconds each and ten (10) short-form derivative videos ranging from 15 to 30 seconds.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of creative development, including identifying key American values, conducting historically accurate research, and developing scripts that present U.S. history and ideals in a manner that is accessible, engaging, and culturally resonant for international audiences. The Contractor shall also coordinate talent participation, manage rights and licensing, and ensure that all deliverables align with non-partisan public diplomacy standards.

Production and post-production services shall include all necessary technical and creative elements to produce high-quality, platform-optimized content suitable for global distribution. The Contractor shall also develop and execute a media strategy that prioritizes international reach while leveraging global social media platforms to maximize engagement. Analytics and reporting shall include audience segmentation to demonstrate reach and impact among foreign audiences.

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 USC 3304, as implemented by FAR 6.103 and substantiated by the following:

FAR 6.103 2 � Unusual and compelling urgency.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR�S

UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED

This requirement is uniquely dependent on a specific, integrated combination of talent, creative approach, and distribution capability that cannot be obtained through full and open competition without materially altering the Government�s requirement.

His role is not limited to that of a host; rather, his participation is fundamental to both the content itself and the distribution strategy. The requirement includes leveraging his established social media presence to amplify content directly to a large, existing audience aligned with the target demographic of Americans aged 18�34. This built-in distribution channel is a material performance component of the requirement and cannot be replicated through alternative sources.

The combination of these individuals�each contributing a specific and complementary role�is central to achieving the Government�s objective of delivering historically accurate, non-partisan, and highly engaging content. Substitution of any of these individuals would significantly alter the tone, credibility, and audience appeal of the program, thereby failing to meet the Government�s minimum requirements.

While other vendors may possess the technical capability to produce short-form video content, no alternative source can provide this specific combination of talent, creative integration, and distribution reach required to achieve the intended impact.

Moreover, the requirement includes coordination with established digital media channels and amplification strategies that rely on direct participation from the named talent.

Finally, the time-sensitive nature of the America 250 initiative further supports the use of this authority. The production schedule must align with national commemorative activities, and delays associated with a full and open competition would risk loss of talent availability and diminish the effectiveness of the campaign. Given these factors, only one responsible source can meet the Government�s requirement without unacceptable delays or material degradation of performance.

Accordingly, the Government has determined that the unique qualifications of the identified contractor, specifically its ability to secure and integrate the required talent and execute the associated creative and distribution strategy, justify the use of other than full and open competition under FAR 6.103-2.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE,

INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS

REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER

FAR 5.201 APPLIES

The Government considered multiple approaches to achieving this requirement through competitive means, including open competition for digital production services and separation of production and talent acquisition.

However, these approaches were determined to be insufficient given the public diplomacy nature of the requirement.

While production services are widely available, the defining element of this effort is the integration of globally recognized talent capable of effectively engaging international audiences. The requirement�s reliance on talent-driven storytelling and distribution, including amplification through established global social media channels, cannot be replicated through a traditional competitive process.

Market research confirmed that no alternative source can provide the specific combination of talent, creative integration, and global audience reach required to effectively support the Government�s international engagement objectives. As such, competition was determined to be impracticable.

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

SECTION 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE

PART 10) AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET

RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research included an assessment of digital media production vendors, analysis of global social media engagement strategies, and evaluation of the availability and impact of high-profile talent in international outreach campaigns. The Government also reviewed comparable public and private sector initiatives aimed at engaging global audiences through short-form digital content.

The findings indicate that while numerous vendors possess the capability to produce high-quality digital content, the ability to combine such production with globally recognized talent and built-in international distribution channels is highly limited. The requirement�s emphasis on reaching foreign audiences through culturally relevant and widely recognizable figures significantly narrows the field of capable sources. As a result, the Government determined that only one responsible source can meet the full scope of the requirement.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER

THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The increasing urgency associated with this acquisition is programmatic, externally driven, and non-recurring.

The 5/15 release milestone is fixed and not within the Government�s control and is directly tied to White House direction for the America250 initiative. This action is narrowly scoped to address the initial America250 release and does not establish precedent for future acquisitions.

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN

WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

Due to the limited time and funding available, the Department has determined that taking steps to solicit or evaluate expressions of interest from potential sources would unacceptably delay performance and result in serious injury to the Government�s ability to meet mission objectives. Accordingly, no written expressions of interest were requested or received for this acquisition.

SECTION 11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY

SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

To the maximum extent practicable, the Government will take deliberate steps to reduce reliance on other than full and open competition for similar requirements in the future. The primary barrier to competition in this acquisition is the requirement for specific, high-profile talent whose participation is integral to both content creation and distribution. While such talent-driven requirements may continue to necessitate limited competition in certain cases, the Government will assess opportunities to structure future efforts in a manner that increases competitive viability.

For subsequent acquisitions, the Government will evaluate the feasibility of separating production services from talent acquisition, thereby enabling competition among qualified vendors for content development, production, and post-production services, while addressing talent engagement through alternative mechanisms where appropriate. The Government will also expand market research efforts to identify a broader pool of vendors capable of delivering high-quality, short-form digital content for global audiences, including firms with demonstrated experience in public diplomacy and international digital engagement.

Additionally, the Government will consider developing standardized content frameworks and modular campaign designs that are not dependent on specific individuals, allowing for greater flexibility in vendor selection and increased competition. Lessons learned from this acquisition, including cost structures, performance metrics, and effective distribution strategies, will be documented and used to inform future procurement planning.

Notwithstanding these actions, the Government recognizes that future requirements involving specific, uniquely qualified individuals or talent-driven distribution models may continue to present inherent limitations to competition. In such cases, the Government will continue to assess the market and document the rationale for any determination that other than full and open competition is necessary.

SECTION 12. CERTIFICATIONS

All reviews and approvals should be completed in the order listed unless otherwise authorized or required.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Requirements Cognizance:

SIGNATURE:

Date

Contracting Office Representative

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

This J&A is hereby determined to be legally sufficient.

SIGNATURE:

Date

Attorney Advisor, L/BA

04/28/2026

CERTIFICATIONS (Continued)

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.104-1(a)(12)) I certify that this submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that it contains complete information necessary to enable other officials to make an informed recommendation for approval or disapproval.

SIGNATURE:

Date

Contracting Officer, GA/AM/TSS/SVS/PS

SIGNATURE:

Date

Division Director, GA/AM/TSS/SVS/PS

SECTION 13. APPROVALS

COMPETITION ADVOCATE

Date

Competition Advocate Bureau of Global Acquisitions