JEFO_Redacted.pdf

CUI //SP- Procure Control No: 25-008

Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Est Dollar Value:

CUI //SP- Procure

Controlled by: HRC, ACC-RI CUI Category: Procure

LDC: FEDCON

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FOR EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Authority: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C)

Contracting Officer: PN: (309) 592-7807Mark Martinez Branch Chief, acting Contracting Officer Email: mark.martinez2.civ@army.mil

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support an exception to fair opportunity.

Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Est Dollar Value:

Department of the Army Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity

Under Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Contracts

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI) Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-8000.

2. Description of Action: The U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) requests a firm-fixed-price bridge task order (TO) contract to W52P1J18F4059 with PingWind, Inc.

(PingWind). ACC-RI will execute this action against the Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) Information Technology Enterprise Solutions 3 Services (ITES-3S) contract. The award is projected to be made in and will be funded with Fiscal Year , Operations and Maintenance, Army funds. An Acquisition Plan is not required in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(e) because this type of TO acquisition is included in the ITES-3S base contract level acquisition plan that was approved on by Ms. Lynda R. Armer, Senior Contracting Official, for CHESS ITES-3S.

TO W52P1J20F4059 expires on . Efforts to conduct a competitive follow-on resulted in an award on , but for reasons described in paragraph 5, the new TO will not be in place prior to expiration of the current TO.

3. Description of Supply/Services: The Cybersecurity Branch located at Fort Knox, Kentucky, is responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all information stored, processed, accessed, or transmitted by HRC Information Systems (ISs). HRC provides Cybersecurity support for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, the U.S. Army Cadet Command, U.S. Army Accessions Support Brigade, Army Enterprise Marketing Office, National Guard Bureau staff, Information Management Officers, Information System Security Officers, Information System Owners, Software Developers, and Network System and Database Administrators. This support includes, but is not limited to, Cybersecurity security analysis and assessment support, access control, training requirements, scanning equipment for security control compliance, and incident response support.

HRC operates under the Cybersecurity standards defined in the Department of Defense (DoD) Risk Management Framework (RMF - 2.0), Federal Information Security Modernization Act, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Cyber Command, Army Cyber Command, and U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command directives. These directives require real-time compliance, continuous monitoring, routine inspections, and heightened scrutiny of the cybersecurity posture and associated risks for all HRC systems. This increase in security includes all HRC infrastructure, workstations, servers, applications, network devices, and databases. To combat any threats, an increase to vigilance and awareness is required to detect, Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Est Dollar Value:

prevent, and respond to any perceived incidents and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data for Soldiers spanning the lifecycle from recruitment through management of Army veterans.

Under this bridge, PingWind will provide Cybersecurity support services required by federal laws, policy and guidance, as well as safeguarding the integrity and availability of all information stored, processed, accessed, and transmitted by HRC’s ISs.

HRC estimates a total value of , including the options, based on the Independent Government Estimate.

4. Authority Cited: FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C). The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. ACC-RI competitively awarded W52P1J20F4059 under CHESS ITES–3S on , which expires . All awardees were provided a fair opportunity to be considered under the original TO. This is the first use of this exception under this TO.

The relationship between the initial order and the bridge extension is logical because the scope of services is the same with a similar estimated cost.

b. The follow-on competitive TO for Cybersecurity was awarded on to Bravura Inc. (Bravura) with a

On 28 October 2024, Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

d. PingWind, as the incumbent and current provider, has extensive experience in successfully delivering program updates for Cyber and Cybersecurity applications.

PingWind has successfully demonstrated the required technical expertise

The Contractor Performance Acceptance Report (CPAR) was completed and evaluated for PingWind’s rating period of . PingWind’s rating in all areas was “Exceptional.”

To summarize the CPAR report, HRC Cybersecurity team stated,” PingWind has previously displayed exceptional responsiveness and adaptability in addressing emergent issues, contributing significantly to mission readiness and resilience.”

PingWind’s diligence in collaborating directly with HRC Leadership in a very proactive approach, along with open lines of communication throughout the life of the contract, helped mitigate any possible issues. PingWind’s commitment to “continuous improvement was apparent through proactive knowledge sharing and training initiatives, enhancing the command’s overall cybersecurity posture.” PingWind ultimately showcased a high level of reliability and accountability and exemplary dedication to the everchanging cybersecurity environment, which showcases their professionalism and dedication to the requirement.

Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Furthermore, it would take another contractor to transition-in based on the need to hire acceptable workforce, obtain security clearances, and familiarize themselves with agency procedures and processes, the architecture, environment, and customer base. Given that performance must continue uninterrupted when the current TO expires on

, it is not feasible to award to another contractor other than PingWind.

e. If this JEFO is not approved,

6. Market Research: HRC and ACC-RI conducted extensive market research for the follow-on effort; Request for Information #478688 was issued in CHESS ITES-3S on 22 January 2024 through 21 February 2024. Of the responses received, large businesses were found capable of meeting the requirement as well as small businesses

Given small businesses were found capable of performing these services, the follow-on was pursued as a small business set aside (SBSA) on CHESS ITES-3S. A RFP was posted from 11 July 2024 through 16 July 2024, and timely proposals were received and determined capable by the Government. Based on these reviews, there are other small businesses that are capable of providing the required services.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government competed and awarded the follow-on Cybersecurity requirement as a SBSA against the CHESS ITES-3S contract vehicle.

8. Other Facts:

Contractor: PingWind Supply/Service: Cybersecurity Support Services

Est Dollar Value:

Procurement History

Contract: W52P1J-18-D-A064/ W52P1J20F4059 Contractor: Exeter/Pingwind. Modification P00016 confirmed a novation request to change Exeter to the parent company, PingWind, Inc.

Award Date: 01 July 2020 Competitive Status: Fair Opportunity under CHESS ITES-3S as a SBSA

Contract: W91QUZ11D0005/ W52P1J18F6001 Contractor: Exeter Award Date: 05 February 2018 Competitive Status: Fair Opportunity under CHESS ITES-3S as a SBSA