JA (other than) final- TAK Support FY26-31_051226_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition (J&A) document submitted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) dated May 13, 2026, for TAK-related technical support and services.

DTRA proposes to award a non-competitive contract to Draper for highly specialized software maintenance, integration, and testing services supporting the Technical Architecture for Knowledge (TAK) platform ecosystem within the Department of War. The requirement encompasses software maintenance and integration for multiple TAK platforms including Android TAK (ATAK), WebTAK, and unnamed platforms; server administration and support for cloud and edge systems; and interoperability testing with automated testing capabilities. The period of performance is base year plus four one-year options, with the total cost of acquisition for the base plus four option years redacted. Services are essential to maintain continuity of developmental work originally initiated with Draper and are critical to ensuring TAK platform compatibility and reliability across the DoW ecosystem.

The justification relies on FAR Part 6.103-1(c)(2) Class Deviation 2026-00017, citing that awarding to a source other than the original equipment manufacturer would result in substantial duplication of cost and unacceptable delays in fulfilling agency requirements. DTRA conducted market research through an RFI posted on Sam.gov from February 20 to March 6, 2026, which identified two interested sources beyond Draper. However, the government determined that only Draper possesses the specialized technical knowledge, institutional experience, and security clearances necessary to sustain TAK operations without critical gaps. The estimated transition cost to onboard an alternative vendor is redacted but represents a substantial unrecoverable expense that would provide insufficient competitive savings. Fair and reasonable costs will be determined through detailed price and cost analysis. DTRA will proactively monitor the market for potential pivots to full and open competition as the commercial landscape evolves.