IA02 Sole Source JA AUSA 2026_FINAL_072826_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification Review Document for a FAR Part 12 Sole Source Justification and Approval supporting a firm-fixed-price contract award to Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES).

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) Mission Support Battalion, National Conventions Division, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, is acquiring convention services from GES to support the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Convention scheduled for October 12-14, 2026, in Washington, DC. The services include material handling, furniture rental, rigging, equipment rental, and labor. The contract period of performance runs from October 12, 2026, to October 14, 2026, with a completion date of no later than September 11, 2026. The anticipated contract value utilizes Operations and Maintenance (OMA) Fiscal Year 26 funds. The justification establishes that GES is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the Government's requirements because the Association of the United States Army selected GES as the official convention decorator, and no other vendor is authorized to provide these services. The acquisition is authorized under simplified acquisition procedures for commercial products and commercial services per Title 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 12.102-1(a), with the determination that only one source is available valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. Certified cost or pricing data is not required because the services are considered commercial. The justification notes that market research confirmed GES as the official convention decorator, and failure to approve this sole source justification would result in the National Conventions Division not accomplishing its assigned mission in support of this high-visibility event.