ID07160013_Limited_Source_Justification_(redacted1).pdf

Limited Source Justification Bridge Task ID07160013

Limited Source Justification In Accordance with FAR 8.405-6

1) Identification of the Agency, Contracting Activity, and Document being approved:

Procurement Office: Acquisition Operations Division (7QZB)

Agency: Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), GSA Region 7

Task Number: Bridge Task Order ID07160013

Description of Requirement /Specified Brand Name(s): This requirement is for the acquisition of contractor instruction and course material support for the Pilatus PC-12 Pilot Training/Mission Sensor Operator (MSO) programs in support of the Fixed-Wing Air Advisor (AA) Programs division of the Air Force Education Training Center (AETC).

Estimated Dollar Value: $743,647.85

Period of Performance for this action: Sixty (60) days. Period of performance to begin on 06/02/2016 and end on 08/01/2016.

Contractor Name: Systems Simulations and Studies, Inc. (S3) (DUNS 799331392)

GSA Schedule Contract Number: GS-00F-0037P / 00Corp

2) Description of action being approved:

This limited sources justification (LSJ) is issued in support of a new task order not to exceed sixty (60) days (no options) to provide continued performance of the Pilatus PC-12 Pilot Training/Mission Sensor Operator (MSO) programs in support of the Fixed-Wing Air Advisor (AA) Programs division of the Air Force Education Training Center (AETC). Systems Simulations and Studies, Inc. (S3) previously served as the incumbent provider of such training on behalf of the AETC through the Aircrew Training and Rehearsal Support (ATARS) division of Wright Patterson Air Force Base (ABF). The subject task order is due to begin on 06/02/2016 and expire sixty (60) days later, on 08/01/2016.. The reason for the task order is due to the delay in competing and awarding the new multi-year task that will provide training on behalf of the AETC. The requirements of the multi-year order have changed and additional time is needed to refine the solicitation and prepare an award. This task order will provide for the continuance of critical course material support services for AETC. This task ID07160013 will allow sufficient time for the recompete and soliciting of the longer term requirement.

FAR 8.405-6 Limited sources justification and approval.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1): Circumstances justifying limiting the source:

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

3) Description of Supplies or Services Required:

This requirement is for the acquisition of contractor instruction and course material support for the Pilatus PC-12 Pilot Training/Mission Sensor Operator (MSO) programs in support of the Air Advisor Programs division of the Air Force Education Training Center (AETC). Pilatus PC-12 training will support four (4) pilots, and MSO training will support three (3) operators. The training is necessary in order to certify and/or re-certify pilots and operators on PC-12/MSO equipment in order to ensure combat readiness and operational preparedness. The training is required to begin no later than 06/02/2016 in order to ensure the combat readiness levels of equipment pilots and operators.

To support this requirement, the contractor shall supply a training program consisting of classroom academic hours, course exams, flight training device simulation operation, ground-based aircraft operation and simulation training, and in-flight training using a variety of computer simulations, systems, and equipment configurations.

4) Identification of Authority and Supporting Rationale:

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) for orders placed against the Multiple Award Schedule Program and FAR 8.405-6, titled “Limited Source,” for orders placed against the Multiple Schedule Program utilizing FAR Part 8 as the procurement guide.

5) Demonstration that the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited:

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the normal order procedures would result in an unacceptable delay. The current requirement is for Pilatus PC-12 Pilot Training/Mission Sensor Operator (MSO) courses that need to occur on behalf of seven (7) pilots and operators, beginning no later than 06/02/2016. These courses are a necessary extension of current and ongoing mission training requirements necessary to ensure that the pilots and operators have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform their missions on behalf of the PC-12 program. The courses are not only needed in a very short amount of time, but also require Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs), Certified Flight Instrument Instructors (CFIIs), and proven course curriculum materials that can successfully interface with government-provided software and equipment simulators.

Acquiring such competency and/or producing quality resource and training materials in a short timeframe cannot be accomplished by contractors unfamiliar or unaffiliated with the requirement.

Previous training on the Pilatus PC-12/MSO program was provided by a contract through the Aircrew Training and Rehearsal Support (ATARS) division of Wright Patterson Air Force Base (ABF). In early Fiscal Year 2016, the ATARS notified AETC that it could no longer support the Pilatus PC-12/MSO training program. The requirement was brought to GSA for a re-compete and new award in order to continue on with the training mission of AETC. The sub-contractor that was performing the Pilatus PC- 12/MSO training program under the ATARS contract was Systems Simulations and Studies, Inc. (S3). In late FY 2015 an RFI was issued on GSA eBuy in support of the re-competition for this requirement. The sole response to that RFI was from S3. As S3 has previously fulfilled the requirement in the past in a successful manner, it has the best ability to provide certified instructors and quality curriculum course materials in support of the current requirement.

As of April 2016, the re-compete for the requirement is being planned, but it is still in its early stages.

There are two (2) courses of the Pilatus PC-12/MSO training that had been planned and scheduled for a start date of 06/02/2016 so as to ensure that program pilots and support personnel were qualified and able to perform their mission requirements. As the larger re-compete project will not be solicited or awarded by the planned training course date, a decision was made by GSA Customer Accounts and Research (CAR) division to support the planned class by breaking out the 06/02/2016 training courses from the larger project and soliciting those courses separately. The 06/02/2016 classes cannot be cancelled or rescheduled to a later time period due to the detrimental impact to mission readiness and combat effectiveness of the Fixed-Wing Air Advisor program that a lapse in training and certifications would cause.

It is in consideration of the foregoing that GSA requests the use of the authority granted through FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) for an expedited solicitation that limits sources to the previous sub-contractor that had performed this task and which, therefore, is the only viable option for fulfilling the current need for training on this specific program platform. It is believed that a competitive solicitation of this training requirement is not in the best interests of the Government for promptly awarding an order. The normal process of posting a Request for Quote (RFQ) and evaluating offers would take approximately thirty (30) days; with the training needing to begin on 06/02/2016, the thirty day solicitation period would serve no benefit in terms of producing alternate viable contractors capable of fulfilling this training requirement and could possibly jeopardize the ability of the one known contractor (S3) to mobilize its cadre of trainers and assemble, reproduce and update is training materials.

6) Description of Efforts to Solicit as Many Offers as Practicable or Exception:

In late FY2015, a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) notice, number RFQ1049181, was posted to GSA eBuy. The Sources Sought notice was posted on the Professional Services Schedule (00Corp) using the Performance Work Statement (PWS) (dated May 2015); all scheduled vendors were requested to review the PWS and provide a response demonstrating their interest and/or capabilities to successfully perform the work in accordance with the scope of the project. As of the closing date of the Sources Sought notice, only one (1) response had been received. The sole response was received from System Studies and Simulation, Inc. (S3) (DUNS: 799331392).

7) Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable and Represents the Best Value:

The GSA Independent Government Estimate (IGE) was prepared by comparing approved Schedule rates that were determined fair and reasonable at the Schedule level for comparable labor categories.

Specifically, in its response to the Sources Sought/RFI notice, S3 submitted a listing of its offered courses and pricing. The IGE is based off of an analysis of the Schedule level courses and pricing information.

The GSA Project Manager (PM) and Contracting Officer (CO) will review the quote submitted by S3 for the Pilatus PC-12/MSO requirement and will evaluate it in accordance with the terms of its base contract.

After the price is determined to be in accordance with contractual terms for the work, additional price discounts will be requested.

In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(v), a determination is made by the undersigned contracting officer that this order will represent the best value for the Government consistent with 8.404(d).

8) Description of market research conducted:

In late FY2015, a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) notice, number RFQ1049181, was posted to GSA eBuy. The Sources Sought notice was posted on the Professional Services Schedule (00Corp) using the Performance Work Statement (PWS) (dated May 2015); all scheduled vendors were requested to review the PWS and provide a response demonstrating their interest and/or capabilities to successfully perform the work in accordance with the scope of the project. As of the closing date of the Sources Sought notice, only one (1) response had been received. The sole response was received from System Studies and Simulation, Inc. (S3) (DUNS: 799331392). The Government intends to make a sole source award to S3 for the two scheduled classes (period of performance not to exceed sixty (60) days) as the sole RFI respondent and previous provider of this training under the expired ATARS order. Market research was utilized to ensure that the current prices that will be awarded under the sole source order are still considered fair and reasonable. Additionally, this justification shall be posted in FBO.gov in accordance with the requirements at FAR 8.405-6(a)(2).

Further research is being conducted in support of the larger re-compete project.

8) Other facts supporting the justification:

The AETC client has reported that there is no support for the two (2) courses needed for June 2016 and any other pilot training courses, due to the ATARS contracting office no longer providing mission support.

Thus, without an immediate solution or award outside their internal agency, AETC mission objectives will suffer and pilots and operators will not be ready for warfare.

9) List of sources that expressed an interest in the acquisition:

System Studies and Simulation, Inc. (S3) (DUNS: 799331392) has expressed an interest via response to RFI. S3 recently provided these training services as a sub-contractor under an ATARS contract. No other vendor responded to the RFI.

10) Statement of Actions to overcome barriers of competition:

Further market research is scheduled for the courses anticipated to occur after 06/02/2016. It is hoped that through further outreach and research that additional sources can be obtained. In the case of the 06/02/2016 classes, however, there are no additional actions that can be taken in order to improve competition. The two (2) PC-12 training courses must be awarded in order to finish the training program for approximately seven (7) pilots and operators, which will ensure their combat and mission readiness.

The Contracting Officer and the Project Manager certify by signature below that the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Based on the above information, it is hereby determined by the signatories below that the circumstances identified in this document are accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge and represent the best business decision to meet the Government’s need. Therefore, limiting sources under the prescription of FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) is fully justified. Information regarding this requirement was obtained from the Client Agency, and was solely relied upon in the preparation of this LSJ.

I, the approving authority, determine that the circumstances identified in this document are accurate; therefore, limiting sources under FAR 8.405-6(a)(1) and 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A) is justified.

The signature below also represents approval of this Limited Sources Justification.