JOFOC for Gratuities 2026 signed.pdf

This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition document submitted by the U.S. Department of State's Global Acquisitions office for Overseas Post U.S. Embassy Baku.

The document justifies a sole-source contract award to Carousel Company (Carousel Chocolate/Best Event MMC) for procurement request number PR16307597 to design, produce, and deliver customized gift boxes and bags containing chocolates and sweets for year-end gratuities. The products include custom-made U.S. branded boxes, ribbons, and specially designed packaging that meet the Embassy's specific presentation, size, design, and quality requirements. The Embassy requires an integrated product where chocolates and customized packaging are coordinated to ensure dimensional consistency, arrangement, appearance, and overall presentation alignment with approved designs. The authority for sole-source procurement is established under 41 USC 3304 as implemented by FAR 6.103-1, citing that only one responsible source exists and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Contracting Officer determined the pricing is fair and reasonable, noting the proposed cost is less expensive than chocolates ordered from the U.S. for mission gratuities in 2024 while providing more complete packaging with branded boxes and bags. Market research compared chocolate options available locally and from the United States; samples were ordered but arrived without appropriate packaging and exhibited low quality and high expense. The justification will be made publicly available within 14 days after contract award. The document contains standard certifications from technical and requirements personnel, a legal sufficiency review, and approvals from the Contracting Officer, Division Director, Competition Advocate, Head of Contracting Activity, and Senior Procurement Executive.