JA Credentialing Signed - BPA Fully Executed_Redacted.pdf

BPA Credentialing Services Requisition Number: 509597

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

for Sole Source Including Brand Name

Less than or Equal to $250,000 (not exceeding $7.5 million for commercial items)

41 U.S.C 1901 and FAR Subparts 13.5

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Homeland Security United States Secret Services Requiring Activity: Credentialing Services

2. Description of Action:

The United States Secret Service (USSS), Dignitary Protective Division (DPD), assumes the lead role in the coordination of operational security plans for all events in which Foreign Heads of State/Government are in attendance and events designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE) to include the FY2021 Presidential Events.

Among the areas of advance planning and coordination is event access control. The DPD Credentialing Section is responsible for the design and procurement/production of temporary special event credentials in support of access control for all events possessing national and/or international significance that represent highly symbolic targets for terrorism that include designated NSSEs.

USSS intends to create A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for 6 months to allow for a competitive IDIQ to be put in place.

(b) Name and address of the contractor. Ardian Group, Inc., 7 Creek Pkwy, Suite 710, Boothwyn, PA 19061.

(c) Contract type (Example: Firm Fixed Price): Firm Fixed Price (Task Order)

(d) Estimated total value (including options). Provide breakdown as shown below:

The total amount to be is .

3. Description of Supplies (and certain) Services:

When USSS DPD assumes the lead role in the coordination of operational security plans for events in which Foreign Heads of State/Government are in attendance and events designated as NSSEs, advance planning and coordination must occur.

Among the areas of advance planning and coordination is event access control. The DPD Credentialing Section is responsible for the design and procurement/production of temporary special event credentials in support of access control for all events possessing national and/or international significance that represent highly symbolic targets for terrorism that include designated NSSEs.

Objectives: The following are the objectives of this acquisition:

• Provide pre-event and onsite consultation of best practices

• Provide advance planning services related to credentialing

• Produce physical credentials, with specified security features, for NSSEs and other protective events

• Provide access control solutions that integrate with physical credentials

• Provide secure data management services for credential operations

• Provide tracking of real-time event attendance and participation

• Meet USSS security requirements for contractor facility access and personnel security Provide on-site training to USSS personnel at credentialing checkpoints

4. Authority: .

_X_ ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE SOURCE and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This authority includes brand name.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above

Ardian Group is the current provider of credentialing services. This BPA is temporary to allow for a competitive contract to be put in place. Services cannot have a lapse in service while a new solicitation is being conducted.

Market Research was conducted which proved that Ardian Group is the sole proprietor of software sought by the USSS to facilitate major event management and production of USSS credentialing. The Contractor has accomplished all aspects of event management to include industry-standard data collection as well as facilitation of design, production and distribution of credentials for events of national significance. The Contractor has incorporated industry-standard security technologies, such as RF transmitters and has supplied associated RF equipment and fully encrypted connections as required in the Data Management and Security Section. The Contractor has configured non-commercial web application software for users to interact and create engagements or appointments that build databases and custom web forms while allowing for the sharing of documents. Software is specified to each event to automate the collection, management, and communication of applicant/credential information while complying with government prerequisite privacy and data security requirements. The Contractor provides continual access and technical support of the software for the USSS to utilize when managing smaller events that do not require the full extent of contractor support.

The contractor will provide an experienced technician capable of software update installation, system maintenance and software solutions throughout the duration of the contract.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

The program has utilized several tools in its efforts to obtain competition. An Request for Information (RFI) was issued via BetaSam.gov in October 2020, five (5) responses were received to include the incumbent contractor. Following the RFI, the Program Office team reviewed all five (5) capabilities statements to include: (1) Ardian Group; (2) Certipath; (3) General Dynamics Information Technology; (4)

Xcelerate Solutions; and (5) Fortor Solutions. The anticipated Solicitation will be posted on BetaSam.gov along with a Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Instruction to Offerors as a Total Small Business set-aside due to the responses to the RFI to increase competition.

The ordering activity will make publicly available the justification along with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c)).

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

The Dignitary Protective Division will continue to survey the market in an effort to find alternative qualified manufactures to meet our credentialing needs.

8. Market Research: The posted APFS record generated an additional two (2) inquiries regarding the credentialing effort. In addition, the following market research was conducted:

1. Vendor engagement was conducted via the issuance of an RFI to assess potential sources for the credentialing requirement as stated above.

2. The CO reached out the SSV CO for One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) and the Program Management, Administrative, Operations (Clerical), and Technical Services II (PACTS II) and it was determined that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategic sourcing vehicles do not meet this requirement. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services. OASIS does not support this NAICS code. In addition, PACTS II do not allow for IDIQ to be issued against an IDIQ and PACTS II expire on February 27, 2022. It was recommended by the strategic sourcing group to use the GSA Multiple Award Schedules.

3. On the guidance of the Strategic sourcing group, the USSS issued a Request for Information (RFI) off the GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) under SINS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) to 207 vendors, 541519ICAM -Identity, Credentialing and Access Management (ICAM) (32 vendors) and 561920 – Conference, Meeting, Event and Trade Show Planning Services (122 vendors) on February 25, 2021. The RFI closed on March 3, 2021. Only two response was received out of 361 vendors. The responses were from Xcelerate Solutions and Xtechnologies from MAS 541519ICAM. Xcelerate Solution who has also responded to open market RFI issued via BetaSAM.gov in October 2020. The rule of two can met off the GSA Schedules.

4. Through the Market Research, the USSS-PRO determined that this requirement can be met by small businesses under the North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services). The intention is to post the solicitation on Beta.SAM.gov.