JOFOC for SDVOSB - DIRPA Senegal_Redacted.pdf

Exception to Fair Opportunity for New Task Order Award Senegal Military Public Affairs Support

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

AUTHORITY: FAR 16.505(b)(2)

Task Order Number: To Be Determined

Senegal Military Public Affairs Support

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a �Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity.� This document is a Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity which is being conducted by the Department of State, World Wide Division, Regional Services Branch on behalf of the Bureau of African Affairs. The request is for a new task order award with Next Evolution Solutions (NELOGIS), (4800 Wes ields BLVD, STE 400 Chan lly, VA 20151 4247) � NELOGIS is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) veried through both sam.gov and veterans.cer fy.sba.gov. The estimated task order cost

Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The request is for a new task order to be issued against the AFRICAP III IDIQ.

S security cooperation activities in Senegal

The Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, in consultation with DIRPA, has identified training needs necessary to increase the professionalism of its personnel and work products, and to ensure that official military publications and radio shows remain a reputable source of information, including reporting on U.S. government activities in Senegal. This non personal services Task Order aims to establish and increase the fair and accurate coverage of U.S. security cooperation activities in Senegal and enhance the professional journalistic skills of DIRPA personnel.

By the end of this task order�s period of performance, the Contractor shall, in cooperation with representatives of both DIRPA and the OSC, develop and deliver seven (7) training courses . Furthermore, by the end of the Base Period, the Contractor shall purchase and distribute the essential equipment needed to enable effective reporting, publishing, data gathering, and the professional use of video recordings, cameras, media drones, and other devices.

This task order will be for two years as follows:

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

Base � Twelve months (Specific PoP Dates are TBD) Option 1 � Twelve months (Specific PoP Dates are TBD)

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency�s needs (including the estimated value).

This is a new Government requirement. The purpose of this task order is to develop and deliver seven (7) training courses

. Furthermore, by the end of the Base Period, the Contractor shall purchase and distribute the essential equipment needed to enable effective reporting, publishing, data gathering, and the professional use of video recordings, cameras, media drones, and other devices.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity (see 16.505(b)(2)) and the supporting rationale, including a demonstration that the proposed contractor�s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the exception cited. If the contracting officer uses the logical follow on exception, the rationale shall describe why the relationship between the initial order and the follow on is logical (e.g., in terms of scope, period of performance, or value).

The exception to fair opportunity for this justification is FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F) which states:

�In accordance with section 1331 of Public Law 111 240 (15 U.S.C. 644(r)), contracting officers may, at their discretion, set aside orders for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3). When setting aside orders for small business concerns, the specific small business program eligibility requirements identified in part 19 apply.�

Furthermore, within Part 19, specifically 19.1406(a) states:

�(a) A contracting officer shall consider a contract award to a SDVOSB concern on a sole source basis (see 6.302 5(b)(6)), before considering small business set asides (see

19.203 and subpart 19.5) provided none of the exclusions of 19.1404��

This task order issued on a sole source basis to an SDVOSB concern, NELOGIS. There is no other SDVOSB capable to execute this requirement within the AFRICAP III IDIQs. NELOGIS is the sole remaining SDVOSB in the AFRICAP III IDIQ Pool. The SDVOSB sole source citation provides multiple benefits, as follows:

The scope of this contract includes complex training development with experience in Africa, the ability to present the trainings in French and English. The courses will focus on Basics of Journalism, Mass Communications Theory, and Journalistic Integrity. Additionally, the training will have a focus on human rights issues, as well as Women, Peace, and Security initiatives. Lastly, this scope includes the deliver of various equipment items in support of these training initiatives.

It is imperative to have a fully qualified/vetted vendor execute this effort to ensure this critical assistance will be executed which supports U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. In this situation, the fully qualified/vetted vendor is an SDVOSB concern which provides the additional benefit of maximizing this specific small business program which is an essential small business program.

Competing this task order outside of the AFRICAP III IDIQ is not feasible. The AFRICAP III IDIQ specialize in the diverse operating environments and political dynamics of African nations, and attempting to utilize a different contract vehicle would cause a negative impact to mission operations resulting in ability to carry out operations supporting U.S. national security objectives. Constant coordination and collaboration with Host Nation/Partner Nation/regional mission leadership will be required to execute this task order such that they address all mission requirements in a rapidly shifting operational environment � there is no other contract vehicle besides AFRICAP III suitable to meet this requirement.

The current vendor uniquely understands the diplomatic mission, international activities, global engagements, customs, culture, and practices possessing direct operational expertise required to successfully executed this effort as they have successfully completed other AFRICAP III task order � this is why there is no other source available to execute this requirement. As a result, no other SDVOSB sources could be found to provide the technical capacity and technical capabilities, as well as be fully vetted and staffed to execute this effort.

Lastly, transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source (i.e., outside of the AFRICAP III), would cause significant disruption to the mission and negatively impact U.S. national security objectives in Senegal. Additionally, it would result in a duplication of costs that would not be anticipated to be recouped through competition.

5. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer anticipates that the proposed prices for this task order will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer has a realistic price estimate for the services required based on similar work and other AFRICAP III task orders. Also, an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) is provided based on technical expertise and expectation for this effort. Furthermore, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to utilize any pricing techniques to achieve a fair and reasonable price such as historical pricing, comparison to published price lists, technical experts, as well as certified cost and pricing data. By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the prices to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification.

The task order award is not being requested to circumvent the competition process. This task order is being issued to provide maximum opportunities to the SDVOSB community within the AFRICAP III IDIQ. Also, this task order does carry a significant degree of risk for the type of work being required. Utilizing a vendor from the AFRICAP III IDIQ, which specializes in this type of work provides invaluable assurance to achieve mission objectives.

This task order carries a certain degree of risk. The Contractor must be able to execute both an Emergency Evacuation Plan and a Risk Mitigation Plan. The Contractor must be able to prepare plans and procedures for reacting to potential risks such as conflict, political violence, natural disaster, and pandemic response. This plan(s) shall include an illustrative list of possible scenarios/risks and how the contractor would respond to include immediate response, shifts in posture, and long term impacts. The recommended SDVOSB vendor holds the required Security/Facility Clearances required via the AFRICAP III IDIQs in place.

This task order will give the U.S. government the ability to continue to fulfill U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in Senegal.

7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

In the event this requirement exists in the future beyond this task order, the subsequent task order will be considered in an SDVOSB competition pool.

The Contacting Officer�s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer�s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer

A/OPE/AQM/WWD/RSB

U.S. Department of State

8. Evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government�s minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for an exception to fair opportunity) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the U.S. government�s minimum needs.

AF/RPS

U.S. Department of State