ID03150043_Limited_Source_Justifcation_Redacted.pdf

ITSS Number: ID03150043

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

This document is prepared in accordance with the requirements of FAR 8.405-6(c)(2).

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: The requiring activity is US European Command (USEUCOM) J-3. The contracting activity is GSA/FAS, Mid-Atlantic Region, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT ACTION: The purpose of this modification to the existing time and materials (T&M) task order GS23F0225K under GSA Professional Engineering Services (PES) Schedule 871-3 (GSQ0315DS0042) is to increase the overall ceiling amount of the total task order and option year 3.

This requirement was competitively awarded on 09/01/2015 to Stellar Solutions in the amount of $4,493,978.95 for a base year plus four (4) 12-month option periods. Due to the specialized nature of this work, and the unpredictability of the level of engagement the contractor will be required to perform for each task, the level of effort fluctuates significantly in regards to this effort.

In order to account for increased requirements earlier in the task order, ceiling was realigned from Option Year 4 to Option Year 1, 2 and 3. The customer has an increased need for the contractor to support additional table-top-exercises (TTX). As a result, over several modifications, most of the ceiling from Option Year 4 was depleted before Option Year 3. The Government forecasted that this demand would continue and during the exercise of Option Year 3 on 08/29/2018, the Government moved the remaining $105,146.92 ceiling from Option Year 4 into Option Year 3. As a result, it was determined that Option Year 3 would be the last Option Year and the requirement would be recompeted. The current funding level of option year 3 will expire at the end of March 2019.

On 02/22/2019, the Government requested from the contractor an estimate to complete the required work for the remainder of option year 3.On 03/01/2019, Stellar Solutions submitted a revised quote with an additional $1,022,236.70. The purpose of this modification is to increase the ceiling of this task order from $4,493,057.30 by $1,023,158.36 to $5,516,215.66 in order to finish Option Period 03. The time allotted through raising the ceiling of Option Period 03 would allow the Government to recompete this requirement and have a new vehicle in place to start performance on September 1st, 2019.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES: The United States European Command (USEUCOM or EUCOM) requires Senior Leader experience and expertise for executing key missions in the European/NATO region, specifically focused on USEUCOM operational/strategic priorities. EUCOM requires support for development, studies, engagement, and assistance with interagency partners, regional allies, and US military components regarding missile defense, cyber operations/engagement, and exercises. Specific expertise and support needed includes leading political/military planning assessments, conducting the entire spectrum of small to large scale exercises/activities supporting EUCOM and NATO, development of next generation and deployment for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), and maturation of cyber operations/engagement/exercises/doctrine/command and control/integration.

The contractor is currently providing support for development, studies, engagement, and assistance with interagency partners, regional allies, and US military components regarding missile defense, cyber operations/engagement, and exercises. Specific expertise and support needed includes leading political/military planning assessments, conducting the entire spectrum of small to large scale exercises/activities supporting EUCOM and NATO, development of next generation and deployment for Integrated Air and Missile Defense, and maturation of cyber operations / engagement / exercises / doctrine / command and control/integration.

The primary place of performance is at the contractor’s facility. During the performance of the contract there may be several trips within CONUS and to Stuttgart, Germany.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE JUSTIFICATION RATIONALE AND/OR DEMONSTRATION OF

CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:

This modification is being conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule program (see FAR 8.401). Specifically, this limited sources justification addresses the application of FAR 8.405-6 (a) (1) (i) (A), “an urgent and compelling need exists, and following the ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays.” Any delay in award of a contract would result in serious injury, financial or other, to the Government, as well as high costs and security proficiency. The extent and nature of the harm to the Government is described hereafter:

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6 (a) (1) (i) (A) - An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

As discussed in section (2) Nature/Description of Action of this document, the existing ceiling will be exhausted by the end of March 2019. As a result, adequate lead time does not exist to properly conduct a competitive acquisition and to provide the necessary transition and knowledge transfer activities. Raising the ceiling for this requirement would allow the Government to conduct a competitive acquisition of this requirement before the expiration of Option Period 3 on 08/31/2019.

At the time of the exercise of Option Period 3, the Government anticipated there would be enough ceiling to complete Option Period 3 but a competitive acquisition would be required after Option Period 3 was completed. However, the burn rate on the contract has been difficult to predict because of the nature of support for table top exercises (TTX) and senior leader forums (SLF), as well the extent to which external parties dictate the level of support required. When it is identified that the contractor's expertise is necessary for a specific military exercise, the exercise planner determines the level of effort and duration required by the contractor's support.

Although the same exercises typically occur each year, the contractor may be needed one year but not the following. In this case, the offeror's service levels have fluctuated greatly between the base and first two option periods.

Due to the nature of the support provided by this requirement, it is imperative that the performance continues and there is no lapse in service. For Option Period 3, the contractor is targeted to support its largest TTX workload to date inclusive of over 5 identified engagements.

If the contractor is not able to participate in the required TTX and SLF activities identified by EUCOM, EUCOM will not have the correct expertise present for key engagements, which may lead to adverse outcomes such as an unsuccessful engagement performance, and improper IAMD and Cyber-security guidance to US and NATO Allies. Stellar Solutions has been asked to partake in a larger role in more recent exercises due to their successful participation and track record on previous engagements. In addition, real-word events have driven the need for additional exercises, modules in already existing exercise, and SLFs surrounding IAMD and Cybersecurity. This requirement ensures that EUCOM has industry leading expertise participating along-side them to ensure the maximum outcome is achieved.

Due to the unforeseen circumstances mentioned above, the ceiling of this requirement will prematurely be exhausted before a competitive acquisition can commence. As such, there is no other contractor that the ability to fully staff and proceed with this requirement in a timely manner. It is to the benefit of the Government for this particular contractor to continue this work because they have the requisite in-house knowledge of the requirement and the operations of the requiring activity. Any other contractor would require significant time and resources to be able to provide qualified personnel in the short time-frame available. This would result in added costs, above and beyond the already expected expenses. Additional resources would be required by the Government as well, to orient a new contractor to the work and the EUCOM J3 environment. Consequently, delays would be experienced in other areas of the client agency.

Stellar Solutions has performed satisfactorily to date on this requirement and has received favorable evaluations on their performance. Therefore, there is little risk and a high likelihood of success in having this contractor provide the additional surge of support services until the follow-on task order can be procured.

5. DETERMINATION OF THE BEST VALUE: The assigned GSA ITM has completed a technical evaluation on the contractor’s submission to ensure that the labor mix and amount of hours quoted by the contractor are acceptable and commensurate with the work requirement of this task as well as ensuring that the contractor has adequately responded to all technical requirements. The GSA Contract Specialist has conducted a price analysis of the contractor’s submitted prices for all labor and travel ensuring that there are no math errors or pricing caveats. Quoted labor rates have been checked to ensure that they are reflected in the contractor’s current GSA Schedule 00CORP SIN 871-3 contract.

In accordance with FAR Subpart 8.4, GSA has already determined the 00CORP SIN 871-3 Schedule prices to be fair and reasonable since they are derived from and reflect the actual prices in the GSA Schedule. The Contracting Officer has determined that these combined efforts will result in the greatest overall benefit to the Government in response to the requirement, attaining the best value and fair and reasonable prices.

6. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH: Market research was not conducted for this acquisition because it is an interim measure that required expedience. Market research was conducted on the original acquisition and will be conducted on the subsequent competitive procurement.

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS: None

8. ACTIONS TAKEN TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO COMPETITION: Barriers to competition will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The primary barrier necessitating this limited source justification is time. No other firm can provide the necessary services at requisite level of expertise within the timeframe required. The Government will seek a fully competitive award to be in place upon expiration of Option Year 3 of this requirement.

9. CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT: The required certifications for accuracy and completeness are provided (with signatures) below. The point of contact is James Purdy at James.Purdy@gsa.gov.

*Signatures on next page* mailto:James.Purdy@gsa.gov