Justification and Approval (JA)_19AQMM20D0128_Fully Approved_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY

Department of State Contracting Activity

Bureau of Global Acquisitions Foreign Service Institute Office of Foreign Missions U.S. Mission to the United Nations Overseas Post

Requiring Activity GA Bureau

SECTION 2: NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED

Approval is requested to issue a modification to extend the period of performance for 8(a) contract 19AQMM20D0128 to WESTERN DOOR FEDERAL, LLC, 14200 Park Meadow Dr, STE 125, Chantilly, VA 20151-4256 for the supplies and/or services described in Section 3 on behalf of the Requiring Activity.

The current WESTERN All conference and event management (CEM) support, contract 19AQMM20D0128, provides CEM support to department, but will expire June 30, 2026. This request is hereby made in order to execute an extension with that will extend beyond five-year period of performance.

The estimated dollar value for one-year base period and two (2), six (6)-month periods would be approximately $24,000,000.00, this is a Firm-fixed hourly rates/ Time and Mater contract.

SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

The Support Services award allows the Department to support both domestic and international conferences and event planning required for various government functions held throughout the year by the Department of State (DOS).

Failure to permit the execution of this extension could result in serious challenges across the Department in the areas and supported efforts. The continuity of services is required to support mission critical operations until a comprehensive conference and event management (CEM) contract can be awarded. Unfamiliarity with the operating environments and political dynamics present at DoS could cause a negative impact to mission operations resulting in disrupting and halting mission critical such as providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer as it would limit the ability to carry out operations supporting DoS objectives.

WESTERN provides the needed scope in a manner of unusual and compelling urgency. The continuity of services is required to support mission critical operations and respond to emerging requirements across all Bureaus. Additionally, WESTERN understands the diplomatic mission, international activities, global engagements, customs, culture, and practices possessing direct operational expertise required in order to successfully execute this effort with minimal start time.

Transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source, at this time, would cause significant disruption to the mission. Additionally, it would result in a duplication of costs that would not be anticipated to be recouped through competition.

SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FAR 6.103-1 – Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

FAR 6.103-2 – Unusual and compelling urgency.

FAR 6.103-3 – Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert service.

FAR 6.103-4 – International Agreement.

FAR 6.103-5 – Authorized or required by statute.

FAR 6.103-7 – Public Interest.

SECTION 5: DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S

UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED

Failure to permit the execution of this extension could result in serious challenges across the Department in the areas and efforts supported. The continuity of services is required to support mission critical operations until a comprehensive Professional Support contract can be awarded.

Unfamiliarity with the operating environments and political dynamics present at DoS could cause a negative impact to mission operations resulting in disruption to the ability to carry out operations supporting DoS objectives.

WESTERN Support are qualified to execute the needed scope in a manner of unusual and compelling urgency. The continuity of services is required to support mission critical operations and respond to emerging requirements across all Bureaus. Additionally, WESTERN understands the diplomatic mission, international activities, global engagements, customs, culture, and practices possessing direct operational expertise required in order to successfully executed this effort with minimal start time.

Transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source, at this time, would cause significant disruption to the mission. Additionally, it would result in a duplication of costs that would not be anticipated to be recouped through competition.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS WERE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE,

INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS OR WILL BE PUBLICIZED AS

REQUIRED BY FAR SUBPART 5.2 AND, IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER

FAR 5.201 APPLIES

Given the nature of the action, solicitation of offers from other sources is not practicable.

Publication of a notice to amend the contract is not required per FAR 5.202(a)(2).

SECTION 7. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable based on market research conducted as well as reviewing the rates for WESTERN GSA Schedule pricing. By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer makes a determination that the $24,000,000.00 to the Government is expected to be fair and reasonable.

SECTION 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (SEE

PART 10) AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET

RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research was conducted on 4/13/26 through a Request for Information (RFI) issued via GSA eBuy to identify qualified 8(a) contractors for a follow-on requirement. The total of twenty-nine 8(a) contractors identified under GSA MAS 8(a) Pool for future competition, which is important because the follow-on is recommended to be awarded through a competitive small business process.

SECTION 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER

THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

WESTERN is the vendor capable of providing the required scope, even under conditions of unusual and compelling urgency. Continuity of services is essential to support mission-critical operations and respond to emerging requirements across all bureaus. Additionally, WESTERN

OnuorahHO Highlight has a strong understanding of services for domestic and international conferences, summits, and workshops, enabling successful execution of this effort with minimal lead time.

Transitioning this scope of work to a different contract vehicle/source, at this time, would cause significant disruption to the mission. Additionally, it would result in a duplication of costs that would not be anticipated to be recouped through competition.

SECTION 10. LISTING OF THE SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN

WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

No other vendors have expressed interest in the acquisition.

SECTION 11. 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

The Acquisition Plan for the current requirement is in the process of being finalized and signed.

A new Acquisition Plan will be developed upon establishment of the follow-on award.

SECTION 12. CERTIFICATIONS

All reviews and approvals should be completed in the order listed unless otherwise authorized or required.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

SIGNATURE:

Date Contracting Officer’s Representative

Date: 2026.04.14 057:03 -04'00'

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

This J&A is hereby determined to be legally sufficient.

SIGNATURE:

Date Attorney-Advisor L/BA

CERTIFICATIONS (Continued)

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.104-1(a)(12)) I certify that this submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that it contains complete information necessary to enable other officials to make an informed recommendation for approval or disapproval.

SIGNATURE:

Date Contracting Officer

SIGNATURE:

Date Division Director

Date: 2026.05.20 09:12:13 -04'00'

Date: 2026.05.20 09:17:50

-04'00'

Date: 2026.06.02 13:37:55

__________________-04'00' _____

SECTION 13. APPROVALS

Date

Date

COMPETITION ADVOCATE

SIGNATURE:

Competition Advocate Bureau of Global Acquisitions

HEAD OF THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

SIGNATURE:

Date: 2026.06.05 09:38:38 -04'00'

HCA

Bureau of Global Acquisitions

Date: 2026.06.09 14:41:56 -04'00'