J_A_wireless_Sole_Source_ATT_with_changes_(2).pdf

Justification & Approval Document

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Contracting Operations Division (COD)-Falls Church (FC)

PROGRAM/PROJECT: TRICARE Management Activity Office of Administration; AT&T Wireless Services

AUTHORITY: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1).

ESTIMATED CONTRACT VALUE: $184,000.00

TYPE J&A: Sole Source

COORDINATION DATE

CECIL THOMAS JR

Program Office

ADRIAN GAVINS

Contracting Officer

NA

GENESTA BELTON

Competition Advocate

APPROVED

NA

MICHAEL O'BAR

Acting Director, Acqusition Management and Support

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL TO PROCURE

USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity

Management Support Directorate.

TMA Contract Operations Division – Falls Church

II. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved

This justification and approval (J&A) authorizes an exception to competition IAW FAR to provide wireless service for TRICARE Management Activity. Currently, TRICARE has a service level agreement in place that will expire at the end of the month with Army ITA. On 05/03/13 TRICARE was notified via email that ITA was no longer providing support for wireless service. A phone call to the help desk was subsequently made to confirm the email notification. As a result, TRICARE is under considerable pressure to obtain continuity of services. Due to the short time line, an immediate contracting action is required (bridge contract and succeeding BPA/IDIQ creation).

III. Description of Supplies/Services/Estimated Value

Bases on prior year actuals the estimated value of this action will be about $163,755.00. The justification is for wireless services which include: 720 Black Berry phones and 166 Air Cards/Mi-Fi.

There are also multiple service plans noted in section five. Service plans are selected based on user requirements.

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition and Unusual an Compelling Urgency

10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

V. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (Applicability of Authority)

The wireless service provider currently supports multiple communication hardware devices that are mission critical components of TRICARE communication network. Email, MI-FI and cellular service are vital aspects of daily data, information and communication exchange. The purpose of this action is to ensure continuity service and mission sustainment.

The current service provider (AT&T) has proprietary domain over the existing, ESN, hardware and software support. Services cannot be obtained from another source to ensure continuity of services. Each device is digital unique and specific to each carrier. The bulk of the AT&T wireless service is currently with AT&T. The breakout of AT&T required wireless devices is as follows:

AT&T

Black Berrys 657 500 pooled voice plus unlimited domestic data and text of which 217 will require international data features

Black Berrys 55 300 pooled voice plus unlimited domestic data and text

Black Berrys 4 100 pooled voice plus unlimited domestic data and text

Black Berrys 2 Unlimited domestic data only Black Berrys 2 Flat rate voice pay per use

Air Cards 92 Unlimited domestic data plan

11 Mobil hotspot 5GB domestic data

63 Unlimited domestic data plan 5 will include 100MB international data

VI. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as Deemed Practicable

Market research was not conducted due to the proprietary nature of the service. The service provider hardware and software is unique to TMA’s application.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable

Cost/Price will be evaluated IAW FAR 15.404-1.

VIII. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research was not Conducted

Considering the time constraint of the anticipated service termination 5/31/13, it is not feasible to conduct market research. In addition, no other source can transition requirement without significant interruption of service.

The goal of the bridge contract is to extend the service to sustain the wireless requirement until COD can solicit an IDIQ.

IX. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition

Mission critical requirement in conjunction with a limited time frame is stated as the primary fact supporting the use of other than full and open competition. An additional ancillary fact is the sensitive nature and mission critical aspect of this service. A lapse in service would be detrimental and would jeopardize TRICARE’s mission.

X. List of Sources, if any, that Expressed Interest in the Acquisition

N/A

XI. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition Before Making Subsequent Acquisitions for the Supplies or Services Required

None

XII. Contracting Officer Certification

I certify, by signature on the cover page, that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Technical Requirements Personnel Certification

I hereby certify that this justification and approval for other than full and open competition is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.