JA18-0101B_LSJ_Redacted.pdf

Tracking #JA18-0101B

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FORMAT FOR “LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION”

(March 31, 2017)

Justification and Approval for “Limited Source Justification” FAR Part 8.405-6

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity:

Defense Health Agency, Special Staff Directorate, Communications Division. The Contracting Activity responsible is Defense Health Agency (DHA), Directorate of Procurement (DoP), Contract Operations Division – Falls Church (COD-FC).

2. Nature and/or description of action being approved:

Approval is being requested for a bridge contract to support existing level of effort; no new work or change to scope. The Government intends to negotiate Firm Fixed Price Task Order procurement with Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc., aka Akoya, via General Services Administration (GSA) contract GS-00F- 1962CA. Akoya is the incumbent contractor. The current contract Task Order number HT0011-17-F- 0036 expires September 13, 2018 and was placed against the aforementioned GSA contract.

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs:

This short term requirement is for personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform MHS Strategic Communications Office Operational Support. The Contractor shall provide support to successfully execute the MHS Strategic Communications Division’s mission as the focal point for MHS internal and external communications. The MHS Strategic Communications Office supports the central coordination of strategic communications for the various offices of senior MHS leadership to ensure that there is “one message with many voices”. The role of the MHS Strategic Communications Office is instrumental in accomplishing this responsibility and in informing the public, the media and the Congress about the Integrated Health System which includes TRICARE programmatic changes. The Government requires contractor support in providing personnel who are skilled and capable communicators to prepare content;

support social media communications; support planning and performing outreach events, including conferences; support strategic communications planning; and facilitate communications coordination across multiple organizations.

The period of performance and estimated costs will be as follows:

Date Range Estimated Cost Base Period 14 Sept 2018 to 13 Dec 2018 Option Period One 14 Dec 2018 to 13 Jan 2019 Option Period Two 14 Jan 2019 to 13 Feb 2019 Option Period Three 14 Feb 2019 to 13 Mar 2019

4. Identification of the authority and supporting rationale (see FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualification to provide the required supply or service.

Under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 152(3) and in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) – Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required for the level of quality required because the supplies or services are currently being provided by Akoya. Rationale for citing the above referenced authority is to ensure there is no gap in performing mission-essential tasks that support the DHA MHS Strategic Communications. The original contract with Akoya, HT0011-14-F-0021, expired September 13, 2017 and the current contract, also with Akoya, HT0011-17-F-0036 expires on September 13, 2018.

Currently DHA is working on preparing a solicitation to compete the follow-on contract, and the plan is to complete the acquisition during the life of this bridge contract. However continuous MHS Strategic Communications services, using this proposed bridge contract, are necessary to avoid disruptions in this mission.

Over the next few years, the Defense Health Agency, Communications Division, will be responsible for effectively communicating and helping to drive a complete culture change throughout the MHS as a result of the recent National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) changes. Implementation is ongoing and will continue to evolve for the next few years, being further compounded as additional legislation, policies, and regulations are being modified and created for implementation as well. The DHA, Communications Division, is charged with this crucial mission, so, consistency in support personnel for strategic communications is paramount.

Section 702 of the NDAA directs a major transformation of the MHS, including the transfer of certain authorities and control from the Military Departments to DHA.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d):

The Contracting Officer hereby determines that this action represents the best value to the Government in accordance with FAR 8.404(d). The anticipated cost to the Government for this task order will be fair and reasonable based on historical prices and current GSA/FSS pricing, which has already been determined to be fair and reasonable by GSA. Although GSA has determined that the prices for supplies/fixed-priced services and services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts, to be fair and reasonable; the contracting officer will seek additional discounts and make a determination of fair and reasonable costs, per FAR 8.4(d), based on an analysis of prices received before award. Although there are other sources available that can meet the Government’s requirements, onboarding of a new contractor would cause significant delays, lead time, incurred costs and substantial investments of time and resources by the Government. This follow-on transitional contract will be funded for three (3) months.

Retaining the incumbent provides the best overall value to the

Government, which far exceeds any potential savings that could be gained by competing the requirement at this time.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Market research is an ongoing process. During an Industry Day held April 2017 in support of this requirement, white papers were requested, but, mostly capability statements were received, a recent, August 16, 2018, view of GSA FSS under schedule 00CORP Category 541-2 revealed 170 contractors that offer services that could support this requirement. Of these, 131 are small businesses, 43 are Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), 23 are Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSW), and 17 are Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSM). Through the GSA schedules and potentially going out to open market with 100% set aside to VOSW, the Government anticipates healthy competition.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification:

The current contract for these services (HT0011-17-F-0036) will end September 13, 2018. Exercising a bridge contract is deemed to be the most advantageous method for fulfilling the Government’s need, with regard to price, efficiency, past-performance and expertise/experience. The agency has begun preparations for a new contract competition using GSA/FSS and 100% small business set asides. The incumbent, currently possesses the operational infrastructure and knowledge and is the only logical source to perform the continuation of MHS Strategic Communications at this time.

8. A statement of the action, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that lead to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made:

After reviewing potential acquisition alternatives and taking into consideration previous acquisitions of similar items or services, the impact of prior acquisitions on these alternatives, and related in-house efforts, it was determined that that the best acquisition method is to use the GSA FSS, targeting small businesses. This vehicle will provide continued technical competence, price competitiveness, and choice among sources to satisfy the DHA Communications Division’s needs.

Coordination:

Approval: