JA_Limited Sources_47QFEA20F0014_For SAMGov PublicPosting 072524.pdf

J&A – Limited Source – 47QFEA20F0014 – MOD # 18 (ID02200010) – Dept. of Army, PM Tactical Network (PM TN), System Engineering, Program Management, and Research and Development, Engineering Support Services

U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL ACQUISITION SERVICE

ASSISTED ACQUISITION SERVICES DIVISION

SECTOR 1, DIVISION 1, APEX 3

The following Limited Sources Justification is prepared in accordance with FAR Part 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(A), Urgent and Compelling need.

1. NATURE AND DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED

The nature of this action is to increase the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) ceiling for the task order for the Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance Services for the Department of Army, Project Manager Tactical Network (PM TN), PEO C3T PM Tactical Network, System Engineering, Program Management, and Research and Development, Engineering Support Services, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005. The increase in NTE ceiling will apply to the current Option Period 2 (OP2). Option Period 2 runs from 10/1/23 to 9/30/24. The increase in OP2 NTE ceilings will be enacted under Modification No. 18 to Task Order No. 47QFEA20F0014 (Task ID02200010), under GSA FSS GS00F310CA. The incumbent Contractor is Janus Research Group, LLC.

Option Period 2 Not-To-Exceed Changes:

CLIN 2001 (Labor): Increase labor NTE ceiling by $5,454,000.00 from $7,565,995.40 to $13,019,995.40.

Total Option Period 2 NTE Ceiling (All CLINs): Increase by $5,454,000.00 from $8,358,497.47 to $13,812,497.47.

Task Order Not-To-Exceed Change:

The total Task Order NTE ceiling (All Years) will be increased by $5,454,000.00 from $29,881,928.37 to $35,335,928.37.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY'S NEED (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED VALUE)

PM TN provides the communications network and services that allow the Warfighter to send and receive information in order to execute the mission. PM TN delivers a unified tactical network, enabling cohesive mission command at every stage of the joint operational spectrum from the home station to the furthest edge of the battlefield. The PM TN team develops, fields, and supports ONE Tactical Network. It provides an integrated, interoperable single network.

Information is the element of combat power that allows Commanders to magnify the effects of maneuver, firepower, and protection. Tactical Network is the transformational Command and

Control system that manages tactical information transport at theater through Company Echelons in support of full spectrum Army operations.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) specifies systems engineering support tasks the Contractor shall perform in support of PM TN programs. PM TN provides Research, Engineering, Development, Analysis, Operations Support, and Test and Evaluation services in support of DoD-wide tactical customers, users, and initiatives. These efforts also encompass software engineering, Internet Protocol (IP) and Networking design, development, test and evaluation, as well as highly specialized policy and technical engineering support for implementing technologies that support designated DoD and U.S. Army policy requirements.

The tasks to be performed under this PWS are directly related to achieving the PM TN mission, in line with the overall Professional Engineering Services (PES) contract. These Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) non-personal services include expertise not readily available. These services provide the flexibility required for tasks, which cannot be accomplished by the Government organization within the available time. The objectives of this requirement include providing system engineering and technical support, laboratory support, test support, field engineering support, and acquisition of communications equipment to support Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS), Defense Satellite Communication Subsystem (DSCS), Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), and Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (MILSTAR) SATCOM programs, projects, and initiatives. The Contractor shall be responsible for the timely and efficient execution of these activities to ensure that all assigned tasks are delivered correctly, on time, and within technical scope.

Programs are in all phases of the system’s/equipment acquisition life cycle as described in DoDI 5000.02. This list includes the programs identified at the time of solicitation. This list may change in response to new direction and to keep pace with evolving Army needs but specifically includes systems engineering, technical services and support services in support of the programs managed and supported by PM TN, specifically 3.1 through 3.8 of the PWS:

These programs/systems are in various phases of the system life cycle as described in DoDI 5000.02:

• MILSATCOM Systems Engineering

• NETOPS Integration

• Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T)

• Transportable Tactical Command Communications (T2C2)

• PdM Mission Network (MN)

• PdM Network Modernization (NetMod)

• Operational Support

• Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES)

• ASA (ALT)

• Other Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, and

Communication- Tactical (C3T) Programs & Projects Support, as directed

3. IDENTIFICATION OF STATUTORY & REGULATORY AUTHORITY

The acquisition is conducted under the authority of Section 201 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 501).

FAR 8.405-6, Limiting Sources Justification and Approval. Specifically, FAR 8.405- 6(a)(1)(i)(A), an urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

As such the stipulations under DFARS PGI 208.405-6 are not applicable.

The nature of the work to be performed and the function of the subject Task Order is not being modified. The original Schedule Task Order was competed and awarded in accordance with applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original Task Order was NOT previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

4. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF

AUTHORITY CITED

The Task Order (TO) was competed under fair opportunity procedures. The Request for Quote was offered to all GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract vendors (formerly known as Professional Service Schedule (PSS)) when released in GSA e-Buy. The Task Order was awarded to Janus Research Group on 10/1/2021 for a term of one Base Year with 4 one-year Option Periods. Currently the Task Order is in the Option Period Two (10/01/2023- 09/30/2024). The Task Order is an incrementally funded Time & Materials type.

This Justification addresses the need to increase the NTE due to the reasons which impacted programs as described below:

4.1 Rationale

Temporary Addition of Product Lead Allied Information Technology (PdL AIT):

On 01 October 2023, the Office of Primary Responsibility for PdL AIT was transitioned to PM TN. As a newly established organization under PM TN, an increase in contract ceiling is needed on a temporary basis to fill critical needs for the operations of the organization as well as build up the organization to meet its increasing mission requirements until a SETA contract is awarded for this effort. The nature of the work and function of the subject Task Order as described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) remains unchanged since the award of this Task Order.

The work encompasses the same labor categories that are currently on contract, ranging from engineering, program management, lifecycle support services, NetOps communications, and operations and service support to PM TN. Specifically, the applicable PWS sections are as follows:

3.1 Program Management, Administrative, and Quality Assurance Services

3.2 System Engineering, Information Assurance (IA), MILSATCOM, PATH and PCOTM Communications System Engineering, IA Services and Simulation Services

3.3 Terminal Development and Lifecycle Support Services

3.7 NetOps Communications and other Support Services

3.8 PM TN Operations

PdL AIT’s mission is focused on these main areas:

The mission for Product Lead Allied Information Technology (PdL AIT) is to provide customized solutions in the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence (C5I) domain to partner nations in support of the warfighter's objectives to build partner capacity and interoperability. These solutions are tailored according to host nation requirement and coalition standards (e.g., NATO), enabling foreign partners to better secure and defend their individual sovereignty and increasing their capacity for contribution to the broader collective security posture. PdL AIT's work supports mutual U.S. and allied interests by strengthening bilateral defense partnerships, enhancing coalition building through interoperability, and increasing the readiness of our partners in uncertain, complex, and potentially hostile security environments.

Impact:

PdL AIT relies on SETA support to ensure the completion of these missions. This includes cyber support, engineering support, contracting, operations, etc.; without which the basic mission could not be performed (loss of: engineering capabilities, maintain C5I requirements/address cyber shortfalls, inability to award contracts, perform budget/financial processes, etc.). Without these areas, risks include the inability to perform basic mission functions which would impact the rate of improvement of efforts for interoperability and testing of new capabilities, eliminate efforts to reduce duplicative areas (increase costs), and standardize across the organization (increase costs/reduced capabilities). Additional U.S. and allied interests using PdL AIT’s work could not perform the mission - resulting in loss of medical capabilities, performing financial processes/operations, port operations/logistics, etc.

Temporary Support of the Establishment of One Network System Support Center

(ONESSC):

Along with PdL AIT, the increase in contract ceiling is needed to support activities for the One Network Services Support Center (ONESSC). In July 2021, this center was established to form a single point in which to monitor operations of PM TN networks consisting of the Global Agile Integrated Transport (GAIT), Secure Network Operations Center (SNOC) and Integrated Network Operations Center (INOC) activities. This is a capability within PM TN that will require an increase in contract ceiling to setup, operate and maintain on possibly a 24/7 operation schedule to meet the organizations increasing mission requirements until a separate contract is awarded to aid this effort. This effort is critical to the tactical network in order to provide additional oversight and provide fast response times to network issues in a proactive or reactive manner. Failure to have this capability would result in delayed responses to potential cyber or network performance issues, thus having a degraded or non-optimal performing network, which directly impacts the Warfighter’s mission effectiveness. There is no modification to the substantive scope of work required for this effort, as it is contained within the original Performance Work Statement (PWS). Specifically, the bullet “Other Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, and Communication- Tactical (C3T) Programs & Projects Support, as directed” cover the scope for this engineering and NetOps communications effort. These tasks are included in the original PWS:

3.2 System Engineering, Information Assurance (IA), MILSATCOM, PATH and PCOTM Communications System Engineering, IA Services and Simulation Services

3.6 Network Modernization Communications Support Services

3.7 NetOps Communications and other Support Services

The Dept. of Army is currently working towards addressing the long-term impact of the increase in level-of-effort placed upon this Task Order as a result of PdL AIT and ONESSC.

To properly address this, the Dept. of Army is currently working on awarding a competed SETA contract.

The scope of the current TO renders services to PM TN and was to be scalable due to mission requirements. Although PdL AIT and OneSSC were not expressly itemized in the PWS listed under Item 2 of this J&A, the intent to consume various phases of the system life cycle support of a product line as described in DoDI 5000.02 was reasonably anticipated. As the mission and responsibility of systems change with PM TN, the contract was established to support this fluid environment. This is why the tasks in the current PWS do not need to be modified as they support foundational needs of any program or product line that is placed under PM TNs tactical responsibility.

A new IGCE has been developed for this ceiling price increase request. The original CLIN requirement will be affected by the increase in level of effort and programs. This will in turn increase mission and accelerate PM TN schedules. An increase to the ceiling for Option Year 2 is of an urgent nature to temporarily support these efforts and other service support requirements until the Dept. of Army awards a SETA contract. A NTE ceiling increase must be awarded under Option Period Two to ensure continuity to meet mission requirements and support the Warfighter. Without the ceiling increase, it will impact PM TN Programs and will result in a failure to provide the capabilities represented by these programs in a timely manner which in-turn could degrade mission effectiveness, and result in injury or potential loss of life to Warfighters.

The increased Level of Effort is of crucial nature and no other vendors would be able to provide the same level of support that the incumbent Janus can provide. Another contractor would not have the security clearance, technical knowledge and experience working with the PM TN to be able to satisfactorily provide the support services for all efforts in a limited time frame.

There are no other suitable alternatives. Due to the critical support being provided, a prolonged break in service must be avoided. This in turn has left no other alternative but to request an urgent and compelling justification for this increase.

4.2 Within Scope Determination

The subject Task Order’s PWS calls for providing a variety of engineering support services and functions. The PWS is not limited to certain programs or activities in placed at the time of task award. As such the two programs and activities (i.e., PdL AIT and ONESSC) are within scope of the original PWS.

To wit, Section 2.0 (Scope) of the PWS states in part:

“These efforts also encompass software engineering, Internet Protocol (IP) and Networking design, development, test and evaluation, as well as highly specialized policy and technical engineering support for implementing new technologies that support designated DoD and US Army policy requirements. The tasks to be performed under this PWS are directly related to achieving the PM TN mission, in line with the overall Professional Engineering Services (PES) contract. These Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) non-personal services include expertise not readily available.”

“The efforts described in the PWS comprise a broad range of efforts to support PM TN, its Product Managers (PdMs), PM TN divisions, project teams, and support some of the following programs and projects as requested, during any or all phases of the system’s/equipment acquisition life cycle as described in DoDI 5000.02: (Note: This list will change in response to new direction and to keep pace with evolving Army needs.)”

The “list” of efforts, programs, and projects to support PM TN are shown above in Section 2.0 Description of Services, whereby we itemize the list as contained in the original Request for Quote (RFQ).

The NTE ceiling increase requested is within the scope of the PWS as originally contained within the RFQ. The PWS was written with the knowledge that programs and activities would be added, modified, or scaled to respond to the changing needs of the Army user. However, it could not have been quantitatively known at the time what these changes would be. This ceiling NTE increase does not constitute any change or additional scope to the PWS.

The work remains within scope of the original Task Order; it is exactly the same type of work that is currently being done under the current Performance Work Statement (PWS). There are no Performance Work Statement (PWS) changes, and the purpose of the contract remains the same.

This within scope increase does not change the original purpose of the contract and falls within scope of the original PWS.

4.3 Negative Impact if Ceiling is Not Increased:

PdL AIT relies on SETA contract support to ensure the completion of its missions. This includes cyber support, engineering support, contracting, operations, etc.; without which the basic mission could not be performed (with risk of loss of: engineering capabilities, maintain C5I (Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Cyber and Intelligence) requirements/address cyber shortfalls, etc.). Without these areas, the relevant organization could not perform basic mission functions which would impact the rate of improvement of efforts for interoperability and testing of new capabilities, eliminate efforts to reduce duplicative areas (increase costs), and standardize across the organization (increase costs/reduced capabilities). Additional U.S. and allied interests using PdL AIT’s work could not perform their missions - resulting in loss of: medical capabilities, performing financial processes/operations, port operations/logistics, etc. Their efforts enable foreign partners to better secure and defend their individual sovereignty and increase their capacity for contribution to the broader collective security posture. PdL AIT's work supports mutual U.S. and allied interests by strengthening bilateral defense partnerships, enhancing coalition building through interoperability, and increasing the readiness of our partners in uncertain, complex, and potentially hostile security environments.

The ONESSC effort is critical to the tactical network in order to provide additional oversight and provide fast response times to network issues in a proactive or reactive manner. The impact to not supporting this would be delayed responses to potential cyber or network performance issues, thus having a degraded or non-optimal performing network, which directly impacts the Warfighter’s mission effectiveness.

PM Tactical Network TN is directly responsible for the development, production, and sustainment of an extensive list of products, systems and subsystems which comprise the Tactical Network architecture. The expertise of services contractors to provide support beyond the government’s existing capabilities is necessary to successfully achieve PM Tactical Network TN mission. Any shortfall in the timely use of correct levels of support services personnel will negatively impact the schedule and the quality of these products being made available to the Warfighter. This can place the lives of warfighters in jeopardy and at the same time degrade system/equipment capability and the success of the Warfighter’s mission. Approving the NTE ceiling increase amounts will allow PM Tactical Network TN to maintain support to both the mission and the Warfighter. Failure to add these requirements would severely degrade the communications capabilities for Army units, effectively preventing them from performing their missions in support of National Defense. If there is a prolong service interruption, it would result in a loss of communications and support for not just the US Miliary personnel, but also our foreign partners. The US and allied partners would not be able to perform their mission. These efforts are critical to the tactical network in order to provide mission effectiveness to the Warfighter. There are no other suitable alternatives. Due to the critical support being provided, the avoidance of prolonged service interruption is urgently needed.

An Impact Statement requesting and supporting this action was provided by PM TN’s representative, Candace Walker, the COR, and is on file.

The incumbent Contractor, Janus Research continues to perform satisfactorily.

5. BEST VALUE DETERMINATION (ANTICIPATED COST WILL BE FAIR AND

REASONABLE)

The Task Order was determined to be the best value to the Government at the time of award.

Janus was highly rated technically, and its prices were determined to be fair and reasonable after full and open competition was conducted. The increase in NTE Ceiling will be utilized by awarding additional level-of-effort (man-hours) onto the Task Order Option Period Two. The labor categories and labor rates to be utilized under this increase in level-of-effort are based on Janus’s proposed labor categories and labor rates established at the time of award for Option Period Two. The labor mix and place of performance (Government & Contractor Site) for this action is based on the IGCE developed by Alyssa Salgado, government cost analyst, government cost analyst per advisement of Candace Walker, PM Tactical Network COR, as being suitable in support of the additional level-of-effort.

6. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED

Due to the urgent and compelling nature of this action no market research was conducted. Any further delays would negatively impact the Army’s ability to fulfill its role in national defense.

7. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS TO OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS THAT LED TO

THE RESTRICTED CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION

IS MADE

There are no barriers that will impede the ability of the Government to conduct a full and open competition for any subsequent acquisition.

Determination

Based on the above, it is determined that it is justified and is in the Government’s best interest to award on a limited sources basis a within scope change (Modification No. 18) to increase the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) ceiling for Option Period 2 (in the amount of $5,454,000.00) under Janus Research Group, LLC Task Order No. 47QFEA20F0014 (Task ID02200010) for Option Period 2 under the labor (2001) CLIN. The total Task Order NTE ceiling increase will be increased by $5,454,000.00, from $29,881,928.37 to $35,335,928.37.