JA for Sole Source 77344422F0092 redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval for Sole Source

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The United States International Development Finance Corporation ("DFC"), Office of Administration, Office of Acquisition.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

DFC requires a sole source action to the current contractor for three months to continue AIA support. DFC is currently recompeting the existing AIA contract, which was delayed due to the government shutdown. There is a need for a transition period between contractors to allow for transition of responsibilities and knowledge, onboarding, relocation, badging, etc. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Government to continue services with the existing contractor while the follow-on contract is being recompeted.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

a. Project title.

Africa Investment Advisors (AIA)

b. Project description.

The DFC requires sufficient human resources in sub-Saharan Africa to establish a strong business development presence on the ground in priority locations and working closely with other U.S government agencies to ensure responsiveness to private sector needs.

c. Requirement type.

Support services (non-R&D).

d. Type of action.

The action will be executed as a three-month extension to the existing firm fixed priced (FFP) delivery order 77344422F0092.

e. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

Estimated for a three-month extension.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.)

3304(a)(1) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The current AIA contract is being recompeted using DFC’s internal staffing contract vehicle, which has been delayed due to the government shutdown. A new contractor requires significant ramp-up time to become familiar with the extensive history and technical aspects of the project. The extension of the current contract will allow for a transition period between two contractors. If this requirement is competed and awarded to a different source, without a transition period, the new contractor would lack the critical background and contextual understanding needed to support the Government's requirements effectively.

The current contractor, Crossbound ry is the only vendor that can provide transition services, using its’ existing AIA contractors. The AIA contractors have the knowledge and understanding on current projects. It is critical for DFC to have continuity in regional contractor work in Africa to (a) advance transactions of importance to the Agency, (b) avoid disruptions in handover of key relationships and conversations, and (c) support the early February Mining Indaba conference in South Africa.

Several of the current AIAs are key members of the transactions team on high priority transactions such as the GRP conversion project in Zambia; the financing of Jomo Kenyatta Airport and Port of Mombasa in Nairobi; the financing of a new airport in Addis Ababa; a Lobito corridor transmission project in Angola, the financing of a port in Sierra Leone, and the financing of a port in Gabon, among others. A disruption or lack of continuity in regional support would hinder progress on these transactions.

The AIAs maintain relationships with regional stakeholders and counterparties as a core responsibility. DFC requires adequate time to transition their relationships and contacts to others within the agency to avoid disrupting importance business development discussions.

The current AIAs support the DFC delegation attending Mining Indaba, to take place in February in Cape Town. This is Africa’s largest mining conference and one of the most important events in Africa in which DFC participates. Adequate on the ground support for the delegation is critical, especially since AIAs have often been the “front lines” of business development outreach to those attending the conference.

While the existing AIAs are supporting DFC with the above critical tasks, the new awardee will be onboarding with security checks, badges, relocation, and orientation during the transition period. This onboarding and transition of responsibilities will take approximately six to twelve weeks.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a Sam.gov notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR

5.202 applies.