MICC Office of Counsel:

Director, MICC-Fort Bliss:

Assistant Director, Small Business Program:

W911SG26FA023

Delta Vector USA LLC

FFP SBSA

Competitive

11 $1,152,712.12 27 JAN 2026 -

14 MAR 2026

1. Contract W911SG-22-P-0103 / Deanne Jones. This contract was awarded to

Deanne Jones under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) arrangement through full and open competition. The requirement was for catered meal services to support mobilization training at Fort Bliss. The period of performance was 26 September 2022 through 20 November 2022, with a total awarded amount of $1,373,740.20.

No option periods were included. Eleven offerors submitted proposals, and the source selection method was Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

Pricing was determined to be fair and reasonable based on competitive quotations received. The requirement was deemed commercial in nature, consistent with standard catering services available in the marketplace.

2. Contract W911S-G-24-P-0036 / Smart Choice Gourmet LLC. This contract was awarded to Smart Choice Gourmet LLC under a FFP arrangement through a Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA) competitive procurement. The requirement was for catered meal services to support mobilization training at Fort Bliss. The period of performance was 25 January 2024 through 23 March 2024, with a total awarded amount of $1,134,301.56. No option periods were included. Twenty offerors submitted proposals, and the source selection method was LPTA.

Pricing was determined to be fair and reasonable based on competitive quotations received. The requirement was deemed commercial in nature, consistent with standard catering services available in the marketplace.

3. Contract W911SG-26-F-A023 / Delta Vector USA LLC. This contract was awarded to Delta Vector USA LLC under a FFP arrangement through a SBSA competitive procurement via WEXMAC. The period of performance is from 27 January 2026 through 14 March 2026. Eleven offerors submitted task order proposals. Source selection was based on Price and other factors (lowest price and mobilization schedule). Pricing was determined to be fair and reasonable based on competitive quotations received. The requirement was deemed commercial in nature, consistent with standard catering services available in the marketplace.

b. Other facts: Selecting a new vendor at this stage carries substantial risk. This is due to various factors, including the procurement action lead time, mobilization timeline, limited space availability, cost impact, operational reliability, and knowledge transfer.

Procurement action lead time (PALT): The PALT would be 4 days for a period of performance of 15 March 2026 – 29 July 2026 if the customer provides all pertinent documents on time. This does not allow the vendor any mobilization time.

Mobilization Timeline: The primary risk factor is the compressed mobilization window, which significantly reduces the probability of a new vendor achieving full operational readiness by the performance start date. In contrast, the current vendor requires zero additional lead time, as the necessary infrastructure and logistical frameworks are already established and fully functional.

Limited Space Availability: Site-specific space constraints at the dining facility create a critical path dependency between vendors. The new vendor would be unable to initiate setup until the current vendor has vacated the area (de-mobilized), effectively extending the total mobilization timeline and increasing the potential for operational disruptions, which would lead to a lapse in service to the customer.

Cost Impact: Compressed mobilization schedules will drive higher vendor costs due to the need for expedited resource allocation and onboarding.

Operational Reliability: Given the critical Life, Health, and Safety (LHS) implications, as well as complex regulatory compliance and logistical requirements, the current vendor’s established track record since 27 January 2026 at the Doña Ana site is a vital risk-mitigation factor. Notably, the current vendor has demonstrated operational resilience by maintaining satisfactory uninterrupted service despite the region's seasonal high-wind conditions and unpredictable weather changes. Therefore, selecting a new vendor introduces significant performance uncertainty, particularly within the 'Medium-to-High Risk' category of catered meal services.

Knowledge Transfer: Transitioning to a new vendor introduces a learning curve that may disrupt service delivery during the integration phase. Because the current vendor has been operational since 27 January 2026, they possess the established institutional knowledge necessary to maintain performance standards without the need for further training within the Dona Ana site.

Based on the unique circumstances, the requirement for continued catering services (direct award to current vendor) is of logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract that any delay in award would jeopardize the mission and the well-being of personnel. Given that the current performance period expires in only three days, providing a fair opportunity for competition is precluded by the fact that it would result in unacceptable operational delays and a lapse in essential life-support services.

Therefore, a direct award to the incumbent is the government’s best interest to ensure immediate continuity, mitigate significant safety risks, and maintaining the integrity of the Doña Ana site operations.

10. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

11. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price/cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. This determination is because this action will be awarded by issuing a task order against WEXMAC 2.0, a comprehensive master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract which was awarded 01 January 2025.

This is a follow-on to a task order that was competed amongst small businesses within the WEXMAC vendor pool. The cost comparison between the current quote received from the incumbent contractor and the quotes received from the original solicitation are comparable to historical prices paid by the government. Additionally, the cost per meal remains the same as the cost established by previous competition.

13. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Catered Meal Services at Dona Ana Range Complex, New Mexico on an Exception to Fair Opportunity basis pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S.C. §3406(c)(3) as implemented in FAR 16.507-6(b)(3) - In the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract. The estimated value of the new task order is $3.3 million for a 47-day base performance period plus one 90-day option period with a total period of performance from 15 March 2026 to 29 July 2026. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies and/or services herein described have otherwise been authorized for this acquisition.

SCOTT D. KUKES

Alternate Advocate for Competition U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX