justification_and_approval_document TDC CLS Bridge_REDACTED.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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All of these factors have contributed to the delay in the release of the TDC CLS solicitation, leading to the need for a bridge action to continue critical CLS support while the team simultaneously completes the competitive award.

Simultaneously, the team executed actions for Agile Communication Packages (ACP) and Fly Away Communication Terminals (FACT), connecting users at Forward Operating Locations to vital DoD IT network capabilities. In addition, these actions supported of Agile Combat Employment and Deployable Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications Systems kits and Commercial

Satellite Communications terminals, enhancing IT resiliency in contested environments.

In total, the program office experienced without additional resources. In addition, the program office has faced significant manning challenges to include vacancies to billets due to attrition and deployments, coupled with delays in civilian hiring due to the hiring freeze. All of these factors have contributed to the delay in the release of the TDC CLS solicitation, leading to the need for a bridge action to continue critical CLS support while the team simultaneously complete the competitive award.

This proposed bridge contract will continue the work ACT performs on the current contract without interruption until a follow-on TDC CLS Contract is awarded. The work being performed under the current TDC CLS contract is categorized as non-commercial due to the nature of the work and the level of specialization that is needed for Defense Property Accounting System (DPAS) accountability and Item Unique Identification (IUID) requirements. Therefore, this acquisition will be a follow-on contract for the continued provision of specialized services.

The contractor (ACT) performing the current TDC CLS Task Order already has employees with the necessary certifications and experience and has been performing the work to meet the requirements on this contract for the last 3 years. Their experience and employees are necessary to keep the TDC units supported in the months leading up to the award of a new contract.

An interruption in service would leave the USAF's expeditionary communication missions of the USAF without access to replacement parts for failed components as ACT houses and manages all TDC replacement parts and spares within their warehouse and no alternate entity is presently available to provide that service. There are currently TDC units plus the TDC Lab that are supported by this CLS contract. In addition, beginning in the team will be fielding kits to .

The lack of support will create vulnerabilities and a lack of mission readiness to provide deployed forces access to the DOD Information Network. The mission readiness is vital to the ability to provide communications to keep command and control of deployed forces to project air power in a theater of operations. This support is crucial to the Air Combat Employment mission concept for the Global Power Competition.

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(B), the current contractor, ACT, is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without incurring unacceptable delays and interruption in CLS services impacting the TDC mission.

V. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under

FAR 5.202 applies.

In accordance with FAR Part 5.203(a) a Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) was publicized 10 Jan 2025 to

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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The TDC CLS follow-on acquisition will be competed as a Small Business HubZone set aside under FAR Part 15.

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.