JEFO Posting_LFO_N6264518F0730_13Jul21.pdf

JEFO Number: 21-00014

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: This Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity (JEFO) is executed by the Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland on behalf of the Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD) of the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) - Frederick.

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT ACTION: The Government intends to negotiate a logical follow-on Task Order, pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C), with Parsons Government Services, Inc.(Parsons) for the existing research support services currently being provided under OASIS master ID/IQ contract no.GS00Q14OADU425, Task Order N6264518F0730. The current task order expires on 29 September 2021.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES: The follow-on task order will mirror the research support services currently being provided, which is to provide Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in molecular biology, immunology, serology, bacteriology, laboratory science/management, field collection, field lab detection, outbreak response, production of reagents, and assay development.

The follow-on task order will have a base period of performance (PoP) of 30 September 2021 through 30 September 2022. In addition, a not-to-exceed 6-month option period will also be included and evaluated, in accordance with 52.217-8, for a potential PoP from 30 September 2022 through 30 March 2023.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY: In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2) (i)(C), the new work is a logical follow-on to an original order which was competed in accordance with the applicable contract ordering procedures. Due to the nature of the acquisition for the research support services currently being performed under this task order, it is in the best interest of the Government to negotiate a logical follow-on allowing for the most effective use of resources. Because the new work is the same work currently being provided, the cost and time associated with recruitment, cost and time of processing background checks to include eligibility for secret clearances, training requirements related to the research efforts, and administrative costs and time associated with the lengthy onboarding process has already been incurred under the current task order. As a result, this may result in lower costs for these logical follow-on services. Re-competing the services currently being filled would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government, and potentially duplication of efforts if awarded to a new contractor, all which are not expected to be recovered through competition for services that include a 12-month period of performance, with a potential not-to-exceed 6-month option period. Government duplication of costs include the time of technical and contracting personnel to review the requirement, solicit the requirements, evaluate proposals, and award of task order. In addition, the possibility of changing contractors may require a complete change in current staff, disrupting the mission of the Biological Defense Research Directorate Operations, Immunological Diagnostic and Molecular Diagnostic Departments, Naval Medical Research Center- Frederick. Additionally, maintaining the current contractor and resources, who possess the knowledge, skillset, and experience required to complete the required laboratory research. The current services will be followed on with Parsons based on there being no change in scope to the current requirement.

5. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COST: The Contracting Officer will determine, using the procedures in FAR 15.404-1 that the cost is fair and reasonable and will document such determination with a level of detail commensurate with the complexity and circumstances of the order.

6. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION: The current task order is successful in providing services and has already worked through the costs of recruiting and onboarding contractor personnel with the required background checks who are familiar with Biological Defense Research Directorate Operations, Immunological Diagnostic and Molecular Diagnostic Departments’ complex research efforts and laboratory processes. Changing contractors may require a complete change in current staff, JEFO Number: 21-00014 disrupting the mission of the Biological Defense Research Directorate Operations, Immunological Diagnostic and Molecular Diagnostic Departments Research Support Services. BDRD relies heavily on contractor support and does not have adequate Government or military resources to carry out research efforts that include, Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in molecular biology, immunology, serology, bacteriology, laboratory science/management, field collection, field lab detection, outbreak response, production of reagents and assay development. The ultimate goals are to assist U.S. partner countries in securing their select agents and toxins, promote laboratory safety, good laboratory practices, and provide the means for the countries public health system to detect and report the occurrence of select agents and infectious disease pathogens of global threat in a timely manner as per World Health Organization International Health Regulations (WHO IHRs).

7. ACTIONS TAKEN TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO COMPETITION: At this time there are no actions being taken to remove or overcome barriers leading to the exception to fair opportunity under this task order.

However, it is possible that option periods may be added to future competitive task order proposal requests (TOPRs) for this requirement to allow contractors to propose pricing and competitively be awarded a task order that would include services for future and subsequent years of service. The use of options for TOPRs would eliminate the need to issue logical follow-on task orders, which require the use of the exception to fair opportunity.