JA-25-B-0546_PTSS Bridge Extension Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-SSEL Control Number: JA-25-B-0546

CUI//SP-SSEL

Justification Review Document

FAR Part 16 Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

Program/Equipment: Product Technical Support Services (PTSS) for Product Manager (PdM) Network Modernization (NetMod) and PdM Mission Network (MN)

Authority: 10 United States Code 3406(c)(1) as implemented in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) – The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

Amount: $6,655,398.69

Prepared by:

Typed Name: Melody Thomas DSN:

Title: Contract Specialist Date: 16 JUL 2025 E-mail:

Contracting Officer:

Typed Name: Thomas Lynn DSN:

Date Reviewed: 16 JUL 2025 Email:

Technical Representative:

Typed Name: Jeffrey C. Franklin III DSN:

Title: Production Chief / COR Date Reviewed: 23 JUL 2025

Requirements Representative:

Typed Name: Dondi R. Davis-Timothy DSN:

Title: Contracts Management Branch Chief Date Reviewed: 23 JUL 2025

Controlled By: Army Controlled By: PEO C3N, PM-TN CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition Distribution/Limited Dissemination Control:FEDCON POC: Melody Thomas Email:

Reviews

I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support the justification for an exception to fair opportunity.

Product Manager

Typed Name: Keirn C. Brown III DSN:

BROWN.KEIRN.C.1

027406617 Signature:

Digitally signed by

BROWN.KEIRN.C.1027406617

Date: 2025.07.23 16:32:08 -04'00'

Date:

Legal Counsel:

Typed Name: Amanda Westrich

WESTRICH.AMANDA.SE

LVY.1549838886

DSN:

Digitally signed by

WESTRICH.AMANDA.SELVY.1549838886

Date: 2025.07.24 11:03:39 -04'00'

Signature: Date:

FAR Part 16 Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

1. Requiring Activity: Product Technical Support Services for WIN-T Inc 1 and Signal Modernization equipment, managed by the Program Manager Tactical Network (PM TN) – Product Managers Network Modernization (PdM NetMod) and Mission Network (PdM MN)

– at Aberdeen Proving Ground, under the Program Executive Office for Command Control and Communications-Network (PEO C3N).

2. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) - Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Division B (CCAP-DDB), 6590 Reconnaissance St, Building 6010, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-1846.

3. Description of Action: Project Manager Tactical Network (PM TN), Product Manager (PdM) Network Modernization (NetMod) and PdM Mission Network (MN) requests approval to award a modification to extend the period of performance for a term-based hybrid Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) and Cost Reimbursable task order W15P7T-19-F-0468, issued under the Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) Contract W15P7T-17-D- 0100, for a period of performance of four (4) months, that includes a base period of two (2) months and two (2) one (1) month option periods, from 24 July 2025 through 23 November 2025.This extension will increase the ceiling by $6,655,398.69, on an Exception to Fair Opportunity basis to MAG Aerospace, 1 Radar Way, Tinton Falls, NJ 02274-1290. The total $6,655,398.69 ceiling increase consists of a 60-day base period in the amount of $3,346,117.69, and four (4) one-month options of $1,654,639.75 each. The requested modification is needed for the continuation of product technical support services, as a result of a Protest filed on the award of the follow-on Task Order W15P7T-25-F-0079 on 18 March 2025, and the pending completion of a corrective action to investigate Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) claims.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: The effort required during the four(4) month extension is for product technical support services for systems and equipment being produced, fielded, modified or supported by PdM NetMod and PdM MN of the PM Tactical Network of the Program Executive Office for Command Control and Communications-Network (PEO C3N) under the Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) contract vehicle, a Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The extended PoP is not to exceed the four (4) month extension, should all four options be exercised. ACC- APG projects award and completion of the transition period of this task order no later than 23 January 2026, to avoid a break in service under the current product technical support services. PdM NetMod and PdM MN are subordinate to PM Tactical Network (PM TN). The contractor provides critical support for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 1 (WIN-T Inc 1) and Signal Modernization equipment. These systems require ongoing Authority to Operate (ATO) certifications, which must be maintained at least quarterly throughout the product lifecycle. The current task order was awarded under the RS3 MA IDIQ contract, with a Performance Work Statement (PWS) within the scope of RS3. The four (4) month extension estimated cost is $6,655,398.69, consisting of $3,346,117.69 for the 60-day base and $1,654,639.75 for each of the four (2) 1-month options. This estimated total value is a combination of Labor, Travel, Material, and Shipping. The Program Office developed an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) that reflects the current burn rate and provides a comprehensive understanding of the costs associated with the task order. The original task order (W15P7T-19-F-0468) under contract W15P7T-17-D- 0100 was competitively awarded, with rates that were thoroughly evaluated and determined to be fair and reasonable at the time of award. A subsequent analysis of MAG Aerospace's proposed rates for the newly awarded Task Order (W15P7T-25-F- 0079), reveals that their rates for the extension period remain consistent with their previous rates and compare favorably to the IGCE. This analysis demonstrates that the proposed extension rates are reasonable and in line with the government's estimate, providing confidence in the fairness and value of the proposed extension.

5. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code 3406(c)(1) as implemented in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) – The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

6. Reason for Authority Cited: The Army’s Tactical Network is a critical component of mission success, requiring continuous technical support to maintain secure, reliable, and effective communications. The PdMs for NetMod and MN—both under PM TN — rely on ongoing technical support services to meet the continuously evolving cybersecurity requirements of their systems and equipment. The ever-evolving strategies, operations, and tactics employed by adversary organizations, which continually seek to exploit vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity posture of our deployed systems, require constant vigilance and adaptability of the US Army Tactical Network products.

An initial 3-week extension (JA-25-B-0207) from 3 March 2025 to 24 March 2025 was executed on the current RS3 TO, in the amount of $750,000.00 to allow for the incumbent contractor to complete critical tasks to allow for a 30-day orderly transition to the new five (5) year task-order, W15P7T-17-D-0149/W15P7T25F0079, which was awarded on 26 Feb 2025 to Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

(MANTECH). The current RS3 TO under Incumbent MAG Aerospace was intended to end on 24 March 2025 and product system support services would be transitioned to the new task order. On 19 Mar 2025, MAG Aerospace protested the award to the Government Accountability Office, and a Stop Work Order was issued to MANTECH to immediately halt all work on the RS3 Task Order until the OCI investigation is concluded and the protest claims could be resolved. Due to the need to continue critical services, the existing task order W15P7T-19-F-0468, was extended for a period of four (4) months authorized by JA-25-B-0294, to allow for work to continue while the Government investigated the protest allegations.

Currently, the product offices have not been able to complete fourth quarter, 2025 of

Post Deployment Software Support (PDSS) for both PdM MN and PdM NetMod ramping down operations in preparation to transition work to a new contract and task order. As a result, both product offices have missed the PDSS dates due to the lack of an appropriate ramp up of support by MANTECH due to the protest.

The continuation of these services is vital in facilitating an out-of-cycle PDSS development for 4Q25 to ensure an appropriate cyber security posture for all supported systems that are necessary and critical in support of the Army Force, by distributing field updates to the affected active and reserve Army units that depend on the PdMs’ secure communication systems and equipment. These systems and equipment depend on the technical service support products to maintain a secure and dependable Army Tactical Network for the execution of the Army’s mission by technological advantage. Required PDSS updates are necessary in order to continuously maintain the Authorization to Operate (ATO) certifications on a quarterly basis for the lifecycle of the products.

Failure to develop 4Q25 PDSS deliverables would induce cyber and communication vulnerabilities to the Army’s Tactical Network because the Army would not be able to provide a cyber secure posture appropriate to the intended mission environment. This failure could provide enemies the ability to intrude the Army Tactical Network, cause mission failure, cause friendly fire, and loss of life.

MAG Aerospace has been successfully executing the current task order by offering extensive system expertise and technical acumen. Their knowledge of these specialized systems has resulted in seamless technical support. Considering the intricate and specialized nature of required services - including engineering support, cybersecurity updates, and technical documentation - extending MAG Aerospace’s task order emerges as the most cost-effective and efficient solution for the extended four(4) month period. Initiating a competitive procurement process at this juncture would result in disruptions, unwarranted expenses, and delays in service delivery, thereby jeopardizing critical support functions. This extension capitalizes on the ongoing work under the current task order, with MAG Aerospace currently supporting crucial system updates, security module enhancements, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting. Their familiarity with the technical landscape and active projects uniquely positions them to continue this work without interruption until the start of the follow-on task order.

All RS3 contract holders were afforded a fair opportunity to compete for the original and follow-on task orders. This extension is intended to maintain continuity and avert service interruptions that could compromise the Army’s operational capabilities. No other contractor possesses the equivalent operational insight into the task order requirements as MAG Aerospace, rendering a sole-source extension the most logical and efficient course of action for the needed 6-month extension. PdM NetMod and PdM MN necessitate ongoing technical support to address evolving cybersecurity requirements. This support is vital to safeguard systems and equipment across various technical service areas, including Engineering Services, Field Engineering

Support, Integrated Logistics Support, Risk Management Framework (RMF), PDSS, and Training Services. Extending the task order facilitates continued progress in Size- Weight-And-Power (SWAP) reduction initiatives and ensures essential technology insertions to manage equipment obsolescence.

The adversarial threat landscape is in constant flux, demanding continuous enhancements to the Army’s cybersecurity posture. Tactical Network products must evolve to counter emerging threats, necessitating uninterrupted system updates and technical support. The proposed task order extension will enable MAG Aerospace to sustain and bolster security measures, effectively mitigating vulnerabilities that adversaries might exploit. Unforeseen challenges in system development have postponed the completion of key deliverables. Without this extension, certain deliverables would remain in draft form, failing to meet the certification standards essential for secure communications. Since draft versions cannot support ATO certification, an extension is imperative to finalize these critical documents. Delays in finalizing deliverables could introduce significant vulnerabilities within the Army’s Tactical Network, exposing systems to cyber threats that could precipitate mission failures, operational disruptions, or even loss of life. The extension is crucial to ensure the development, testing, and certification of products that protect Army operations.

MAG Aerospace is actively engaged in the development of RDTv2, a vital component of the forthcoming PDSS release. Continued access to Government Furnished Property (GFP) is essential for effective troubleshooting and system updates. Their work on the LCN-tv2 hardware (Dell x8000s and laptops) also necessitates ongoing GFP access for troubleshooting, hard drive replacements, and refining the Bill of Materials (BOM), which is integral to the Mission Network. This access is critical to maintaining system operational integrity and ensuring the successful documentation of configuration guides, thereby guaranteeing system readiness. Ongoing utilization of GFP is required to refine the technical manual for the Omega LCN-Tv2 system, supporting ATEC observation and formal material release—steps crucial for achieving full operational and certification requirements. MAG Aerospace is tasked with delivering updated security modules and field updates (REDCOM 4.0.5 vs. 4.0.3) to address functional capability issues, which are necessary to uphold the integrity and security of the Mission Network systems. The requested extension will ensure these updates are implemented and delivered as scheduled.

MAG Aerospace is finalizing PDSS images, security modules, and documentation for six systems. Additional time is required to complete government witness testing, finalize these deliverables, complete installation documentation for Soldier Operators, and provide detailed maintenance and installation guides for two (2) systems. This documentation is essential to ensure the systems effectively integrate new security protocols. Without it, Soldier Operators would be unable to install and maintain systems as required, jeopardizing the security of the Army’s Tactical Network. The Commercial Coalition Equipment Version 4(CCEv4) system image necessitates further government witness testing due to issues encountered during the initial testing phase with destructive image integration. Under the current timeline, only draft deliverables can be submitted, which would delay the final product. The requested extension will provide the necessary time to resolve these issues and finalize the deliverable for

Soldier Operators. Additionally, the extension will support the completion of technical support service deliverables that are critical to the continued Army missions of product fielded systems. Failure to complete the deliverables would induce cyber and communication vulnerabilities to the Army’s Tactical Network, which could cause enemy intrusion, mission failure, friendly fire, and loss of life.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Efforts to obtain competition for the required services are not possible at this time due to the pending protest resolution for the follow-on task order (W15P7T-25-F-0079). The protest, filed on March 19, 2025, has resulted in a Stop Work Order being issued, which has halted all work on the new task order until the OCI investigation is complete and protest is resolved. As a result, the government is unable to proceed with the transition to the new task order and must instead extend the existing task order (W15P7T-19-F-0468) to ensure continuity of critical services. The protest has effectively precluded the possibility of obtaining competition for the extension period, as the government cannot solicit new proposals or negotiate with other contractors while the protest is pending resolution. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the existing task order with the incumbent contractor, MAG Aerospace, to maintain uninterrupted support for the Army's critical mission requirements.

a. Effective competition. Effective competition for the follow-on task order (W15P7T-25-F-0079) was achieved through a competitive procurement process, which resulted in the receipt of multiple proposals from qualified offerors. Although the award of the follow-on task order is currently stayed due to the pending corrective action to address protest allegations, the competitive process that was conducted demonstrates that effective competition exists in the marketplace for the required services. The fact that multiple offerors participated in the competition and submitted proposals that were evaluated by the government indicates that there are multiple sources capable of performing the work. However, due to the extraordinary circumstances created by the protest, it is necessary to extend the existing task order (W15P7T-19-F-0468) with the incumbent contractor, MAG Aerospace, on a sole-source basis to ensure continuity of critical services and support for the Army's mission requirements. This sole-source extension is a temporary measure, and the government intends to proceed with the awarded follow-on task order once the protest is resolved, allowing for a seamless transition to the new contract and task order and minimizing further disruptions to critical services.

b. Subcontracting competition. The Government will ensure that the prime contractor maximizes subcontracting opportunities by promoting competition among qualified subcontractors, encouraging fair and open participation, and fostering diverse industry engagement to the greatest extent possible.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: To enhance competition for this requirement, a follow-on effort was fully competed under the RS3 contract vehicle, ensuring fair and open competition among eligible offerors. The competitive acquisition process allowed for the evaluation of multiple proposals to obtain the best value for the government.

This follow-on task order was awarded in March 2025, which would have allowed for a seamless transition of services while maintaining operational effectiveness. The competitive nature of the procurement process demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering competition and securing cost-effective, high-quality support for the Army’s Tactical Network.

9. Market Research: Due to the urgent need to extend the existing task order (W15P7T-19-F-0468) and the unique circumstances created by the pending protest resolution, it was not feasible to conduct a comprehensive market research effort. The previous market research conducted in support of the follow-on task order (W15P7T- 25-F-0079) demonstrated that multiple contractors are capable of performing the required services, but it did not specifically assess their ability to meet the urgent needs of the extension requirement. Given the complexity and specialized nature of the services required, as well as the need for continuity of support, another contractor would not be able to quickly ramp up to meet the requirements of the extension.

Therefore, based on the circumstances and the previous market research, it is reasonable to conclude that no other source is capable of successfully performing the extension requirement, and that an extension with the incumbent contractor, MAG Aerospace, is necessary to ensure continuity of critical services.

Interested Sources:

Company/Contractor`s list Intend to Bid UEID CAGE/NCAGE Size

Standard Date

Submitted Capable of performing

Yes Small 4-Jan-24

Yes Small 4-Jan-24

Yes Large 4-Jan-24

Yes NAICS Dependent

5-Jan-24

Yes Large 5-Jan-24

Yes Large 5-Jan-24

Yes NAICS Dependent

5-Jan-24

In accordance with AFARS 5153.303-5, a total of seven (7) sources had expressed interest in the newly awarded task order W15P7T-17-D-0149/W15P7T25F0079, including Leidos, MAG DS CORP, MANTECH, and four (4) other vendors, of which two

(2) are small businesses. These responses were received in response to the Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Announcement (SSA) issued via SAM.gov from

December 1, 2023, to January 5, 2024. The purpose of the RFI/SSA was to gauge industry interest and capability in supporting the anticipated requirements for PdM Network Modernization (NetMod) and PdM Mission Network (MN). To date, no additional sources have come forward to express interest in the acquisition beyond those identified above. Due to the urgent need to extend the existing task order (W15P7T-19-F-0468) and the unique circumstances created by the pending protest resolution, it was not feasible to conduct a comprehensive market research effort.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History:

Contract: W15P7T17D0100, Task order: W15P7T19F0468

Contractor: MAG Aerospace

The original task order for this effort was competitively awarded for a base year and four (4) option years, with a total period of five (5) years. The task order was subsequently modified to extend services for an additional three

(3) weeks, with a new end date of March 24, 2025, as awarded on February 21, 2025. A Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity, JA-25-B-0207, was executed on 21 February 2025, pursuant to the authority granted by 10 U.S.C.

3204(c)(2) and implemented in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), which permits exceptions to fair opportunity when only one (1) awardee is capable of providing the required supplies or services at the necessary level of quality, due to the unique or highly specialized nature of the work. The reasoning behind that Justification was that the specialized and complex nature of the required services, encompassing engineering support, cybersecurity updates, and technical documentation, made extending MAG Aerospace's task order the most cost-effective and efficient course of action. Initiating a competitive procurement process would have likely introduced significant disruptions, unnecessary expenses, and delays in service delivery, ultimately putting critical support functions at risk. In contrast, extending the task order that was current at the time leveraged the substantial investment already made in MAG Aerospace's ongoing work, which has been instrumental in delivering system updates, security module enhancements, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting. MAG Aerospace was uniquely positioned to continue this critical work without interruption, ensuring seamless continuity and minimizing potential risks to the program.

A follow-on task order was awarded to MANTECH in March 2025 to continue providing critical services, following a full and open competition under the RS3 contract vehicle. This competitive acquisition process ensured that all eligible offerors had a fair and transparent opportunity to participate and enabled the evaluation of multiple proposals to select the best-value solution for the government. The award of this follow-on task order was expected to facilitate a seamless transition of services, maintaining operational effectiveness and supporting the Army's Tactical Network. By leveraging a competitive procurement process, the government demonstrated its commitment to fostering a competitive environment, driving innovation, and securing high-quality, cost-effective support for critical military operations.

However, the award was subsequently protested based on the incumbent, alleging that an Organization Conflict of Interest (OCI) existed with the awardee, MANTECH. To ensure a thorough investigation of the OCI and to preserve uninterrupted services, a temporary extension was necessary. An initial four (4) month extension was awarded to maintain support while the investigation was being conducted, and the protest was resolved.

As the OCI investigation remains pending and the need to provide a 30-day transition period remains, thus the task order will need to be extended for up to an additional four (4) months. Transitioning to a new contractor during this period would cause significant disruption to the mission and potentially compromise the quality of services provided. This extension will allow the government to sustain current levels of support, ensure continuity of critical military operations, and provide sufficient time to thoroughly address and adjudicate the OCI concerns. By taking this step, the government can ensure that critical services continue uninterrupted, while also upholding the integrity of the procurement process and respecting the rights of all parties involved.

b. Other Facts: Market research for the initial award indicated that the majority of services procured under RS3 contracts are noncommercial, as defined by FAR Part 2. In accordance with FAR Part 10, a thorough evaluation was conducted to assess commercial availability, and the findings confirmed that this requirement cannot be met by a commercial service, and this remains true for the four (4) month extension. Additionally, a reevaluation under FAR 10.002(b) determined that the Government’s needs cannot be modified in a way that would allow for a commercial solution. As a result, FAR Part 12 procedures were not used for the initial award and will not be used for the four (4) month extension.

TIMOTHY.DONDI.R.1365057997

11. 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. Digitally signed by

FRANKLIN.JEFFREY.CARL.III.10504

ARL.III.1050490722 90722

Signature: DateD: ate: 2025.07.23 11:53:05 -04'00' Typed Name: Jeffrey C. Franklin III Title: Production Chief/COR W15P7T19F0468

12. 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.

DAVIS- Digitally signed by DAVIS-

TIMOTHY.DONDI.R.1365057997

Signature: Date: Date: 2025.07.23 12:23:04 -04'00' Typed Name: Dondi R. Davis-Timothy Title: Contracts Management Branch Chief

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable, as supported by cost and price analysis, cost realism, comparison to the Independent Government Estimate (IGE), and verification of rates and burn rate analysis. Furthermore, I determine that Certified Cost or Pricing Data are not required for this action, in accordance with FAR 15.403-3(c)(1)(ii)(B) – Use of historical price data.

LYNN.THOMAS.E. Digitally signed by

LYNN.THOMAS.E.JR.1397079364

Signature: JR.1397079364 Date: 2025.07.24 13:21:55 -04'00'

Date:

Typed Name: Thomas E. Lynn, Jr Title: Contracting Officer

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

Digitally signed by

LYNN.THOMAS.E LYNN.THOMAS.E.JR.1397079 364

.JR.1397079364

Signature:

Date: 2025.07.24 13:23:01 -04'00' Date:

Typed Name: Thomas E. Lynn, Jr Title: Contracting Officer

FRANKLIN.JEFFREY.C

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Product Technical Support Services for $6,655,398.69 on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 United States Code 3406(c)(1) as implemented in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A) – The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order; subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

VANLUVEN.JAS Digitally signed by

VANLUVEN.JASON.E.128854

ON.E.128854737 7374

Date: 2025.07.24 13:47:48 -04'00'

Signature: Date:

Jason E. VanLuven Command Advocate for Competition

ACC-APG