Justification and Approval (JA) - 2026 MTN Service ACD and MDH signed.pdf

This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (J&A) submitted by the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Procurement Executive for a sole-source acquisition with MTN Eswatini.

The contracting activity is the Overseas Post at the U.S. Embassy Mbabane, Eswatini, seeking to procure mobile telecommunications services on a firm-fixed-price basis. The contract will support the embassy's diplomatic technology requirements with an estimated value of $72,220.00 and an award deadline of March 25, 2027. The period of performance runs from April 26, 2026 through March 25, 2027. Services required include approximately 150 lines of mobile voice plans, 150 lines of mobile data packages, 150 lines of standard text messaging service (SMS), and international and regional roaming services as used. These uninterrupted telecommunications services are mission-critical for official U.S. Government operations, emergency response, and coordination with local and regional authorities, as well as for ensuring the safety of American personnel and staff.

The justification asserts that MTN Eswatini is the only responsible source capable of meeting agency requirements based on nationwide network coverage and reliability, seamless regional roaming integration with MTN South Africa, mission-critical communications capability, and existing infrastructure continuity. Market research conducted in February 2026 confirmed that competing providers, including Eswatini Mobile, lack comparable coverage or service reliability. The contracting officer determined the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable based on comparison with MTN Eswatini's corporate rate schedule, historical pricing, independent government cost estimates, and public market rate structures. No synopsis was published on SAM.gov due to the foreign acquisition exemption under DOSAR 605.202-70.