JA VR3_Express State Funeral 18APR-01MAY_20240319_Redacted.pdf

Control No.

Reviews

I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support sole source.

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FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items Sole Source Justification and Approval

1. Contracting Activity: United States (U.S.) Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Belvoir (MICC-FB), 9410 Jackson Loop, Building 1425, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

2. Description of Action: The Military District of Washington (MDW), 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard” (TOG), requires a contract to provided services with Express Clydesdales, LLC from 18 April 2024 - 01 May 2024. The Government projects award for 16 April 2024 and fiscal year 2024 Operations and Maintenance, Army funding will be used.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: Express Clydesdales, LLC will provide a minimum of eight horses and any required riders to augment or stand-in for U.S. Army Caisson horses and or Soldiers in support of unforeseen State Funeral Operations. This service was required because the Army’s full complement of Caisson horses needed to complete a full Riding Team for a Funeral Procession are presently not medically cleared to perform State Funeral Operations to standard. The horses are in mandatory rehabilitation in accordance with Army equine veterinary treatment plan to facilitate recovery from injuries. Contractors participating in State Funeral Processions are required to adhere to prescribed military honors and standards to include mandated riding styles, horse and rider configurations, horse movements and mannerisms, as well as appropriate appearance for both horses and riders. Horses must also meet specific color and appearance requirements (color matched gray or black). To meet these rigid military standards required for all State Funeral Participants, there is an urgent need for the contractor to get both their horses and riders promptly trained so that they can be prepared to perform State Funeral Operations upon notification.

Express Clydesdales was previously awarded contract W91QV1-24-C-0014 with a Period of Performance (PoP) of 20 February 2024 – 17 April 2024. The Army horses were expected to be cleared for State Funeral support by the end of the Express Clydesdales contract 24-C-0014. However, they are still not medically cleared and Express Clydesdales services are required beyond the end of the contract on 17 April 2024. The TOG expects that they will be able to resume State Funeral support on 1 May 2024. Express Clydesdales horses and riders are trained and ready to perform State Funeral Operations upon notification. Contract award to any other vendor will require learning and training in the rigid military standards required for all State Funeral Participants. The vendor will not be prepared to perform State Funeral Operations upon notification. Any delay in awarding this service to Express Clydesdales may result in a failure of Joint Task Force (JTF) National Capital Region (NCR) Commander to conduct State Funeral Ceremonies as directed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to honor a former President.

Period of Performance: 18 April 2024 to 1 May 2024

Total Value:

4. Authority Cited: Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, Title 41 U.S.C.

1901 as implemented by FAR Subpart 13.501(a)(1)(ii): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. The Old Guard requires the capability to carry out State Funeral operations in accordance with DOD Directive 1300.30 "DoD Support of State, Official, Special Military, and First Lady Funerals." State funerals are reserved for national figures such as heads of state, including former and current presidents of the United States and it is unknown when a State Funeral will be required. Due to the unforeseen nature of State Funerals, a contractor with a horse hitch team that is ready and able to perform the requirements for a State Funeral upon immediate notification is sought to complete a full Caisson element for a State Funeral Procession.

Express Clydesdales was previously awarded contract W91QV1-24-C-0014 with a

Period of Performance (PoP) of 20 February 2024 – 17 April 2024. Their horses and riders are trained and ready to perform State Funeral Operations upon notification, setting them apart from other potential contractors that would require significant preparation time and might not be able to respond promptly. The government would be seriously injured without this continued service, if upon notification of a former president’s death, and the U.S Northern Command Commander activates the JTF-NCR Commanding General (CG) to coordinate and conduct the ceremonies to honor the former president he would be unable to fully complete these responsibilities without having the services provided by Express Clydesdales to augment the organic caisson assets the Army currently has available. Without the continued services of Express Clydesdales, should the need arise in the immediate future, the time-honored traditions of a State Funeral Ceremony which have been previously held for previous past Presidents, could not fully bestowed upon a past President nor meet the wishes of his family.

b. Alternatives: In the realm of State Funeral Operations, adherence to strict standards set by the Federal Government and the Military is paramount, with protocols deeply rooted in tradition and only subject to deviation at the discretion of the former President's family members. Due to the unpredictable nature of State Funerals, there is often minimal lead time for contractors to procure necessary resources such as horses and trained riders for the Caisson Funeral ceremony. Market Research indicates Express Clydesdales remains the only responsible source capable of providing State Funeral support until 01 May 2024 at any unforeseen time.

c. Additional Supporting Information: In accordance with Army Pamphlet 1-1, a State Funeral is the highest category of military funeral honors and a State Funeral to honor a former Commander-in-Chief and is nationally publicized and watched around the world.

If this justification is not approved, there is high risk that a full traditional State Funeral ceremony cannot be successfully conducted to honor a former Commander-in-Chief.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.201, this action will be synopsized via a Notice of Intent to Sole Source via SAM.gov on 19 March 2024. This synopsis will be informational purposes only and will not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Old Guard conducts Quarterly Horse Symposiums and invites equine experts from across the United States and over the world to attend. This requirement as well as other Army related equine services will be discussed at the symposium to increase competition and expand the vendor base.

8. Market Research: The Old Guard contacted several vendors that attended its Horse Symposium previously in the market research for contract W91QV1-24-C-0014, and none were ready and prepared to perform this service at any unforeseen time and meet the rigid military standards required for all State Funerals. Searches were conducted on various government and public websites to contact equine providers. All were booked for other engagements and did not possess the expertise, horse, equipment, and staff required to perform the service. A redacted version of the J&A supporting contract award of W91QV1-24-C-0014 was posted to SAM.Gov on 7 March 2024. There were no responses to the posting. Express Clydesdales remains the only responsible source capable of performing this service upon notification.

9. Interested Sources: Express Clydesdales was awarded contract W91QV1-24-C- 0014 with a Period of Performance (PoP) of 20 February 2024 – 17 April 2024. Their horses and riders are trained and ready to perform State Funeral Operations upon notification. Therefore, any other interested vendors would require significant preparation time and might not be able to respond promptly and result in a failure of Joint Task Force (JTF) National Capital Region (NCR) Commander to conduct State Funeral Ceremonies as directed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to honor a former President.

10. Other Facts: No other facts.

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.

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.

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon costs that are generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the conduct of similar agricultural sectors and in the advertising industry and comparison with pricing from previous contracts. The contractor’s horses are predominantly utilized as Good-Will ambassadors to promote their home ranch and Express Group of companies. As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data is not required because the item and/or services being acquired are considered commercial.

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