JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL OTF O CompARDELLE_A.docx

U.S. General Services Administration

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

UNDER 41 U.S.C. 253 (C) (1)

Administrative Support Services for Various Divisions within GSA/PBS Region 01 New England

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity:

This document is hereby identified as a ‘Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition’ under the authority of FAR 6.302-2, for the acquisition of services described herein, and prepared by the General Services Administration – Region 1. This document sets forth the justification and approval for use of one of the exceptions to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984.

2. Nature and/or description of Action Being Approved:

The action being approved is for a Purchase Order for the period 8/1/2011-8/31/2011. The proposed awardee is Ardelle Temps, Inc.

3. Description of the Service Required to meet the Agency’s Needs:

GSA/PBS requires continuity of Administrative Support Services throughout various Divisions within the organization. Administrative Support Services are essential to the daily mission of the agency. GSA/PBS Administrative Support Services were performed by approximately 21 contract Administrative Support personnel. Administrative Support Services had been procured by Cooperative Administrative Support Unit (CASU) at GSA/PBS’s request through 7/31/2011. CASU’s contract was with Ardelle Temps, Inc. Services include both full and part time Administrative Assistant, Secretarial, Graphic Artist, Technical Writer, Contract Close Out Support, Computer Operator Support, General Clerk and Engineering Technician Support Services. Contract employees perform duties which cannot be accomplished by Federal Employees in-house. Without these contract employees GSA/PBS Region 01 would not be able to serve the public, and our customers in an efficient and prudent manner. Contract employees also support the Federal Employees providing assistance on the various job tasks in the organization.

4. Estimated Dollar Value:

The estimated value for the Purchase Order is $115,000.00.

5. Statutory Authority:

This justification for other than full and open competition is based upon the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1).

In accordance with FAR 5.202 this solicitation was not synopsized in Fed Biz Opp’s as significant undue harm would have occurred if the Administrative Support Services Contract endured a break in service.

FAR 5.202 (a)(2) states “The proposed contract action is made under the conditions described in 6.302-2 (or, for purchases conducted using simplified acquisition procedures, if unusual and compelling urgency precludes competition to the maximum extent practicable) and the Government would be seriously injured if the agency complies with the time periods specified in 5.203” .

6. Demonstration of the Proposed Contractor’s Unique Qualifications:

Ardelle Temps, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. They have the in-house expertise to provide the contract employees and provide supervision and payroll services. They have been providing the Administrative Support Services for the past 3 years through the CASU/DHHS contracts under the Economy Act. They are also on the Federal Schedule. They are poised and in a position to provide continuity of Administrative Support Services. Ardelle Temps, Inc. is considered to be the only option for the Government under the circumstances given.

For the past 5 years the services had been procured by CASU. CASU is a network of Federal entrepreneurial organizations that provide the full range of "best value" support services to Federal agencies throughout the United States and overseas on a cost reimbursable basis under the Economy Act. CASU contracted with Ardelle Temps, Inc. for all the Administrative Support Services required by GSA/PBS Region 01.

The CASU Network currently provides support services in the areas of administrative support, financial & procurement management, human resources, light industrial, mail management, printing/duplicating/copier, professional & technical, and training. It should be noted that the variance within these service categories is great and that there are few limitations placed on the types of services that can be provided.

In July 2011 CASU informed GSA/PBS that their current contract would expire 7/31/2011 and that Ardelle Temps, Inc. would no longer be under contract with CASU. They requested resources from GSA/PBS to evaluate the proposals they solicited for new contracts. Since GSA/PBS pays a fee to the CASU to provide responsible contractors GSA/PBS felt that its resources should not be performing such evaluations. Even though GSA/PBS funded all the Administrative Support Service employes through 9/30/2011, CASU informed GSA on July 29, 2011 that a break in service would occur effective 8/1/2011. CASU would not grant an extension through 9/30/2011 to allow GSA/PBS Region 01 to solicit for another contractor to avoid a break in Administrative Support Services.

7. Effort to Solicit Additional Sources:

Time would not permit solicitation of additional sources as a break in service would result in undue harm to the GSA/PBS daily mission and cause a work stoppage because Federal Employees would have to engage in Administrative Support duties.

8. Demonstration that the Anticipated Cost will be Fair and Reasonable The hourly rates provided by Ardelle do not include the fee that GSA/PBS afforded CASU. The rates provided by Ardelle are 5% lower than the rates paid to CASU and then to Ardelle.

9. Description of the Market Research Conducted:

Time would not permit Market Research as there could not be a break in service.

10. Other facts supporting the Use of Other than Full & Open Competition:

None.

11. Listing of Sources interested in the Acquisition:

None.

12. Future plans to permit competition:

For the interim period until GSA/PBS can successfully procure a full and open competition contract for Administrative Support Services, GSA/PBS will utilize Ardelle Temps, Inc. under Federal Schedule for the period 9/1/2011-12/31/2011. During this time a solicitation will be issued full and open competition to secure a contractor. GSAPBS will advertise in the FedBizOpps website (www.fedbizopps.gov).

13. Certifications:

Contracting Officer’s Certification as required by FAR 6.303-2(a)(12) I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

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