A04 NEXT UNDER JA ARLIS New IDIQ_FINAL RFMFinal_for Rdact_Redacted.pdf

prioritized by USG intelligence and security professionals. With this IDIQ, ARLIS will share knowledge, conduct independent evaluations, and research and develop solutions required to support and advance Government intelligence and security missions.

DoD has a unique partnership with ARLIS, and UMD has made significant contributions to the advancement of intelligence and security missions. ARLIS will provide valuable expertise to DoD in Human and Social Systems Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, and Augmentation; and Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies to help solve some of the Nation's most difficult intelligence and security problems.

Specifically, ARLIS will provide essential and critical research into the following topics:

• Research and Development in Human, Cultural, and Social Systems Applied to Intelligence and Security Missions;

• Applied Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, and Augmentation to Improve Performance for a Range of Intelligence and Security Missions;

• Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies to Enable Asymmetric Advantage in Intelligence and Security; and

• RDT&E Support: Activities to support the cultivation of a Government workforce proficient in the above areas; activities to support the integration and synthesis of varying perspectives on the above topics; and independent technical evaluation, verification, and guidance on practices or policies the above topics.

WHS/AD anticipates issuing cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) type task orders, with both CPFF type contract line item numbers (CLINs) for labor and cost reimbursement CLINs for travel. WHS/AD anticipates that Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) funds will be obligated.

4. AUTHORITY CITED:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this effort is 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(3)(B) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-3. Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert Services. Specifically, as implemented by FAR 6.302-3(a)(2): “Full and open competition need not be provided for when it is necessary to award the contract to a particular source or sources in order - (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research or developmental capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center.”

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED:

UMD/ARLIS is one of 14 UARCs, each of which specializes in specific core competencies approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. UMD ARLIS is the only UARC that specializes in the following:

1. Research and Development in Human, Cultural, and Social Systems Applied to Intelligence and Security Missions;

2. Applied Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, and Augmentation to Improve Performance for a Range of Intelligence and Security Missions;

3. Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies to Enable Asymmetric Advantage in Intelligence and Security

UNCLASSIFIED

OUSD(I&S) is the government sponsor for the ARLIS UARC. There are no other UARCs that specialize in these essential areas and these competencies are a vital part of the advancement of intelligence and security missions. Therefore, there are no other UARCs capable of meeting OUSD(I&S)’s requirement.

These competencies are a vital part of the infrastructure that enables development of problem-focused, evidence-based solutions for intelligence and security challenges facing the DoD. This contract is essential for maintaining U.S. advantage against our adversaries, and to execute tailored, continually evaluated, and operationalized solutions quickly for the successful defense of our Nation and Nation’s resources. Without this contract, UMD ARLIS loses the required funding to continue producing the human-centric solutions that are uniquely scoped to confront intelligence and security challenges within the ever-evolving threat landscape. Without UMD ARLIS’s continued research, our Nation will experience a severe disadvantage against our adversaries that could gravely impact national security.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION:

Pursuant to FAR 5.201(b), notice of the proposed award is required. WHS/AD will post a “Notice of Intent to Sole Source” to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) prior to release of the Request for Proposal.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304(I)(1)(A), as implemented by FAR 6.305, the approved justification will be made publicly available at the GPE, www.sam.gov, within 14 days after contract award.

7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION:

I hereby determine that the anticipated price for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The techniques identified within FAR 15.403 Obtaining Certified Cost or Pricing Data and FAR 15.404 Proposal Analysis will be used to ensure task order awards will be at fair and reasonable prices. Task order Contracting Officers will determine proposed costs/prices are fair and reasonable by performing the following:

Requesting certified cost or pricing data when required by 15.403-4, along with data other than certified cost or pricing data as necessary, and performing cost analysis of all proposed labor rates and other cost elements (i.e. indirect and direct costs) to the proposed cost/pricing data submitted by UMD ARLIS to the DCMA for their Forward Pricing Rate Recommendation (FPRR) or Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA), if any.

Performing price analysis:

o First by completing a comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid under other task order(s) awarded under this IDIQ, and/or o If historical prices paid are not available, a comparison of proposed prices to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)

8. MARKET RESEARCH:

The authority for this IDIQ contract is not based on a determination that UMD ARLIS is the only responsible source, but rather, the Government desires to maintain an essential research, development, and scientific and engineering expertise in core competencies areas important to the DoD with a nonprofit institution as authorized by 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(3) and implemented by FAR 6.302-3. In addition, as stated above in paragraph 5, UMD ARLIS is a DoD UARC, and, as such, UARCs enable the DoD to establish and maintain long-term strategic relationships with selected universities, to conduct essential research, development, scientific, and engineering expertise in core competency areas important to the DoD. The Government has, however, considered other UARCs and, as explained above, found that they lack the necessary core competencies to meet this requirement.

9. OTHER FACTS: N/A

10. INTERESTED SOURCES:

As stated in paragraph six, WHS/AD will post a “Notice of Intent to Sole Source” to the GPE. This notice will include contact information for sources to express interest or ability to satisfy the requirement in writing.

For J&As approved under the previous IDIQ, WHS/AD posted similar notices and to date, no additional sources have expressed interest or their ability to fulfill the requirement.

11. ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION:

As noted above, there are no other UARCs that specialize in these essential areas, which enhance DoD capabilities other than ARLIS. Therefore, no other UARC except for ARLIS is able to meet OSD’s requirements. Consequently, WHS/AD has no plans at this time to compete future requirements as UMD is the only source that can meet the requirements set forth by the ARLIS IDIQ.

If another potential source does emerge in the future, OUSD(I&S) will assess whether the competition for future requirements is more advantageous and would be in the best interest to the Government.

Subcontracting Competition: A thorough review of UMD ARLIS’ annual subcontracting reports will be conducted to ensure they are making a good faith effort to meet their proposed subcontracting goals under each task order, when it is applicable. In the event a contracting officer does not believe UMD ARLIS is making an effort to meet their subcontracting goals, the contracting officer will coordinate with WHS/AD’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and schedule a meeting with UMD ARLIS’ Small Business Liaison Officer. UMD ARLIS’ Small Business Liaison Officer is responsible for identifying qualified small businesses that may be able to support UMD ARLIS’ procurement requirements and in the event they have been unsuccessful, OSBP may be able to provide support in finding qualified companies.

12. Is this acquisition for a non-competitive follow-on acquisition previously awarded on a non-competitive basis?

Yes. A copy of the previous justification is attached. The actions to remove any barriers to competition cited on the previous justification were were not completed. As stated in the previous sections, UMD ARLIS is the only UARC with the appropriate core competencies to support the requirements covered by this IDIQ contract award.

No. The original acquisition was conducted on a competitive basis.