JOFOC RAINN_30JUL2026 (CLD_VCS_FGJ signed) (2).pdf

Version 8.0 March 2026

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Program / Sexual Assault 24/7 Helpline

Identification Number: 140600-26-0023/REQUIREMENTS-26-2995

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The NOAA Acquisitions and Grants Office (AGO), Corporate Services Acquisition Division (CSAD), proposes to enter into a contract on the basis of other than full and open competition in support of the Deputy Undersecretary of Operations’ (DUSO) Workplace Violence Prevention and Response (WVPR) program’s Congressionally-mandated 24/7 Helpline.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

NOAA intends to award a new contract to Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). The contract is contemplated as a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) sole source contract.

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

NOAA’s WVPR seeks to secure continued mandated 24/7 helpline services through a sole source contract with current vendor RAINN. RAINN provides large-scale infrastructure and support, most notably managing the National Sexual Assault Hotline and the DoD Safe Helpline. Through a network of over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers (SASPs), they offer specialized, trauma-informed support for survivors of sexual violence and harassment via call, chat, and text. Additionally, RAINN designs customized, client-branded solutions for corporate and federal organizations, such as NOAA, to assist with reporting and trauma navigation.

The anticipated contract will align with the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 33 U.S.C.

894a mandate which requires NOAA to have a 24/7 sexual assault helpline that is monitored at all times and staffed with personnel trained and credentialed to provide victim support and resources.

The anticipated period of performance includes one 12-month base period and three 12-month option periods.

The base period estimated value is $444,000. Option period one estimated value is $457,320.00. Option period two estimated value is $471,039.60. Option period three estimated value is $485,170.79.

The total estimated value, including all options, is $1,857,530.39.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 6.103-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, and 6.103-5 (33 U.S.C. 894a), Authorized or required by statute.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires using the authority cited.

RAINN, UEI: LP7SA1GMB3R6 CAGE:4GCA5, is uniquely qualified to provide the 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline to the Government based on the following:

a. The Government, WVPR, is Congressionally mandated to maintain a 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline (33 U.S.C. 894a) and RAINN, as the current vendor has the NOAA-customized infrastructure established to continue this capability without gapped coverage.

b. RAINN is unique because it operates the nation’s only 24/7, confidential, and anonymous National Sexual Assault Hotline, making it uniquely responsive to the parameters of the mandate. It connects callers to thousands of local trauma-support providers nationwide. It is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. The key factors that make RAINN’s operation and service model unique include its routing system with an ability to automatically route callers to the nearest of more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers, ensuring survivors get region-specific counseling and resources, which is highly advantageous given the broad geographical footprint of NOAA’s facilities and research vessels. RAINN also provides free support around the clock not only by phone but also via secure online chat. The online chat is vital for victims who may be trapped in a dangerous situation and unable to speak aloud.

c. NOAA’s yearslong collaboration with RAINN prompted the development of NOAA-specific tools based on RAINN’s unique multimodal data. The analysis of this historical archive allows WVPR to study trends of SASH instances that may permit NOAA to preempt future conditions and circumstances where SASH events have been seen to repeatedly occur. Continuation of the data archive will enhance its accuracy and value.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as possible, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Part 5 and, if not, which exception under FAR Part 5 applies.

CSAD will post the JOFOC to SAM.gov within 30 days after contract award. This fulfills the public notification rules under Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 5.101 Methods of disseminating information and FAR 6.305 Post-Award Justification Availability.

For the purposes of NOAA’s helpline, it is both economically sound and logical to contract directly with RAINN to conserve costs, limit learning curve, and delays in creating the 24/7 NOAA infrastructure.

This approach aligns with RFO 6.103-1(c)(2)(i), as competition would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

WVPR and AGO did not solicit available capacities from industry for the 24/7 Congressionally- Mandated Sexual Assault Helpline. WVPR conducted an internet search yielding providers that offered incomparable services. WVPR consulted the GSA Multiple-Award Schedule and identified Special Item Number 624SS for Social Services, Professional Counseling and Veterans' Readjustment and Behavioral Health Services. SIN 624SS includes 65 service providers, none of which provided 24/7 national Sexual Assault Hotline with trauma-informed trained and credentialed staff.

a. While certain states and universities do manage their own 24/7 Sexual Assault Helplines, these helplines are solely available to their specific populations. For NOAA’s 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline, the reach needs to be national, and international in some cases, to cover the NOAA enterprise.

b. WVPR researched for similar Helpline services, discovering that RAINN runs the majority of national, and international when applicable, 24/7 sexual assault helplines. Other organizations, such as universities or state and/or local agencies, may host helplines but solely for their specific populations.

c. A similar to NOAA federal non-Department of War agency, the US Peace Corps, funds a 24/7 national and international Sexual Assault Helpline to assist their population to immediate emotional support, access to local resources, and other victim support services. Noting, Department of Interior (DOI) serves as the Peace Corps’ Contracting Office. When DOI put the Peace Corps’ helpline out for bid, one of DOI’s Prime vendors, Magellan, bid to perform the helpline service. Magellan received the award, then subcontracted out the service to RAINN.

Further, Magellan no-bid the Peace Corps’ contract ending the Magellan’s foray into helpline services.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer will use price analysis techniques established in RFO Subpart 15.4, Pricing, to determine the proposed prices are fair and reasonable. The contracting officer will use commercially available information for similar services, historical prices paid for similar services as well as request any/all necessary uncertified cost and pricing data from the offeror.

8. The market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

For market research purposes, the program office reached out to certain states and universities, which manage their own 24/7 Sexual Assault Helplines but are solely available to their specific populations. For NOAA’s 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline, the reach needs to be national, and international in some cases, to cover the NOAA enterprise.

The program office also researched the US Peace Corps funds a 24/7 national and international Sexual Assault Helpline to assist their population to immediate emotional support, access to local resources, and other victim support services. The Department of Interior (DOI), who serves as the Peace Corps’ Contracting Office, awarded the contract to Magellan; Magellan subsequently subcontracted out the service to RAINN. Further, Magellan no-bid the Peace Corps’ contract ending Magellan’s foray into helpline services.

Based on the results of market research, the government determined that there is no other available contractor that provides the level of services and requirements.

9. Any other facts supporting using other than full and open competition.

All facts have been documented in item 5. There are no additional facts to be reported in this section.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in the acquisition in writing.

As described above WVPR’s market research showed that no service providers other than RAINN offered the complete suite of services required to comply with the Congressional mandate.

Accordingly, no other sources expressed interest.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

As future hotline requirements arise, the market will be continuously surveyed to identify new sources. The Government will continue to encourage competition through public notices and engaged discussions with interested parties.

CERTIFICATION

The JOFOC has been prepared and certified by:

Technical/Requirements Personnel:

I certify that the above narrative is accurate and contains complete data necessary to support the recommendation for other than full and open competition. I further certify that the narrative verifies the

Government's minimum needs or schedule requirements and any rationale used to justify other than full and open competition procedures.

Felicia Garland-Jackson Date WVPR Regional Coordinator

Contracting Officer:

I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Virginia Scott Date

Contracting Officer

12. REVIEW and CONCURRENCE

Review:

Office of General Counsel

Dozier Gardner, Jr. Date Attorney, Contract Law Division, DOC OGC

Concur:

Head of Contracting Office

Michael Conroy Date Director, Corporate Services Acquisition Division)