JOFOC FY25 NDAA FINAL_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

UNDER FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION FAR SUBPART 6.3

1. AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: The Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD (P)).

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: The DoD intends to enter a cost-reimbursement research and development contract, with a non-profit organization, the National Academy of Sciences, which provides no fee or other payment above cost and is not a cost sharing contract. Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding is provided in the amount of $ on a not-to-exceed basis

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: National Academies will form a study committee of approximately members, with the final number determined based on the specific expertise and diverse perspectives required. The committee's expertise will likely encompass areas such as:

Due to the polarized nature of this topic, the National Academies will carefully consider balance and diverse viewpoints when selecting committee members. Furthermore, the selection process will include a review to identify any potential conflicts of interest, specifically whether prospective members could financially benefit from the study's recommendations. Potential committee members will be identified through a comprehensive search of relevant technical, policy, and stakeholder communities. These suggestions will be compiled into a pool of candidates.

National Academies staff will then develop a slate of nominees, which will be reviewed and approved by the president of the National Academy of Sciences before appointments are finalized.

Performance Periods Performance Period Dates Amount

Base Period July 11, 2025, to April 10, 2026

4. AUTHORITY CITED: This action is implemented in accordance with FAR 6.302- 5(a)(2)(i) “Authorized or required by statute.”

5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED: Under Section 1544, the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) directs the Office of the Secretary of Defense to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an evaluation of alternative organizational models for the Other alternatives are not an option as this is a congressionally directed requirement.

Accordingly, the Department of Defense plans to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an evaluation of alternative models to include:

ased on these findings, the National Academy of Sciences will provide recommendations in a report to be submitted to the congressional defense committees. If the product and/or service is not provided, the report findings and recommendations cannot be submitted to the congressional defense committees detailing the effects of the organizational model on the Department of Defense as directed in the

FY25 NDAA.

6. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN COMPETITION: Pursuant to the authority granted by 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(5) and FAR 6.302-5(a)(2)(i), full and open competition is not required for this acquisition. The FY25 NDAA, Section 1544, expressly authorizes or requires that this procurement be performed by a specified source.

In accordance with FAR 5.203(a), a Notice of Intent to Sole Source was issued, on April 17, 2025 and closed on April 20, 2025, indicating the Government’s intention to solicit and negotiate with only one source under FAR 6.302-5(a)(2)(i). The decision to negotiate solely with the National Academies of Science and Engineering, within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, satisfies the Congressional mandate and effectively excludes other parties.