Justification and Approval WHA_FE_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE

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 Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA/EX)

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

APPROVED

Approval is requested to place a sole source order under the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) 47QTCA26D003Q with Nakupuna Federal LLC (UEI PTH7Z5BD9GK5; CAGE 9HEC4) for professional support services to the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA/EX). The order will be a Time and Material (TM) task order with an estimated dollar value for 12 months potential period of performance consisting of a 6-month base period and a potential 6-month FAR clause 52.217-8 extension totaling approximately

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

The Support Services contract will allow WHA to continue providing personnel capable of providing IT support services to manage, configure, design and support various Department of State (DOS) systems.

Specific roles include but are not limited to:

Modernize SharePoint & M365: Plan and implement scalable, secure, and user-centered solutions built on modern SharePoint (communication sites, team sites, and SPFx), integrated with Teams, OneDrive, Power Platform and AI tools.

Develop and administer the M365/SharePoint technical strategy, delivery, and governance.

Coordinate SharePoint administration, data management and training.

Develop SharePoint solutions using SPFx, PnP, REST/Graph APIs, and client-side frameworks (e.g., React) while using Project Management methodologies

Build automation with Power Automate, applications with Power Apps, and data solutions leveraging Dataverse or SharePoint lists.

Enforce Department security policies (12 FAM 553, 12 FAH 10) and manage incidents related to unauthorized device connections.

Manage network drop activations with TWD and troubleshoot OpenNet, VPN, and Red Phone issues including the enrollment process.

Design graphics for various multimedia formats from typography and still images to web page navigation schemes and video content.

Configure and support Apple devices while implementing MDM best practices.

Manage MDM migration from VMware Workspace ONE to Microsoft Intune and oversee mobile device data plans for Windows and Apple iOS platforms.

Additionally, the performance requires access to Department facilities, systems, information, and, for designated positions, classified material. Some contractor personnel will require Secret or Top Secret personnel security clearances. The contractor must maintain the Secret or Top-Secret facility clearance specified in the DD Form 254, as applicable.

The continuity of services is required to support mission critical operations until a follow-on contract can be awarded. A disruption in services will negatively impact mission operations such as providing mission critical resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer DoS objectives with respect to countering terrorism.

SECTION 4: AUTHORITY AND SUPPORTING RATIONALE

Authority: This action is an order under the Multiple-Award Federal Supply Schedule Program. The Department's FAR Part 8 class deviation adopts RFO FAR 8.401, which directs ordering activities to follow the FSS procedures in GSAR 538.71. GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i) permits an FSS order above the simplified acquisition threshold to be placed on a sole source basis when the need is of such unusual urgency that following the competitive Schedule procedures would result in unacceptable delay in fulfilling the

. The statutory basis is 41 U.S.C. 3302(c)(1)(A)(i), which incorporates the order-level urgency exception in 41 U.S.C. 4106(c)(1).

Development of the urgent need: On July 10, 2026, during a review of task orders in the SBA 8(a) program, it was identified that option period of certain task orders could not be lawfully exercised. This matter could not reasonably have been identified earlier because the regulatory implications only became apparent once later task order actions required legal review, and the documentation available at the time did not indicate that the option structure would trigger 8(a) restrictions.

Operational consequences of delay: A responsible competition for this requirement would require the Department to complete the solicitation package, provide a meaningful quotation period, evaluate technical capability and total price, document the award decision, verify facility and personnel clearances, confirm staffing commitments, provision Government equipment and systems access, transfer active work, and complete transition activities. A competition at this point could not produce an operational contract in time to begin transition on or before September 1. The overall time for a competitive procurement above the simplified acquisition threshold would require approximately six-months, more time is being added because of the potential unforeseen circumstances such as a lapse in appropriations occurring in calendar year 2026, and/or a potential protest further delaying a new competitive contract.

Why the proposed source can meet the urgent need: As documented in Section 6, the market research identified Nakupuna Federal LLC as the only Schedule source able to satisfy the complete revised requirement within the available time. The Department verified the entity's relevant experience; facility security clearance;

access and clearance posture for proposed personnel; available staffing; familiarity with Department systems

Page 2 of and operating requirements; and ability to mobilize for the September 1 start. Based on these capabilities the Department concluded that Nakupuna Federal LLC is the only vendor for this sole source award.

SECTION 5: DETERMINATION BY THE ORDERING ACTIVITY CONTRACTING

OFFICER THAT THE CONTRACT ACTION REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE

CONSISTENT WITH GSAR 538.7102-2(B)(4)

Based on the circumstances supporting this sole-source action and the acquisition strategy described herein, the Contracting Officer anticipates that the proposed contract action will represent the best value to the Government. Prior to award, the Contracting Officer will evaluate Nakup quotation, including price and other relevant considerations, and make a final determination that the order represents the best value to the Government consistent with GSAR 538.7102-2(B)(4). The Contracting Officer will not make award unless the proposed order satisfies requirements and represents the best value to the Government.

SECTION 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMONG

SCHEDULE HOLDERS AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON

MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

To determine whether another contractual vehicle or Schedule source could meet the compressed schedule described in Section 4, the team reviewed existing professional services contracts at the Department and conducted an external review of Schedule contractors that can perform the services needed. The objective was to identify a source that could begin transition and maintain critical service continuity after existing coverage ends on September .

The existing Department vehicles did not provide a viable solution to the immediate need. Potential sources lacked one or more capabilities necessary for timely performance, such as: required security access, relevant Department and functional experience, or immediately available staff. The external Schedule review likewise found no other contractor that could satisfy the complete requirements and meet the September deadline without unacceptable delay.

The research confirmed that Nakupuna Federal LLC under MAS contract 47QTCA26D003Q was the only choice. The Department verified the entity's security posture, staffing availability, relevant experience, familiarity with Department systems and processes, and mobilization capability. Considering scope, security, staffing, experience, and schedule together, Nakupuna Federal LLC was the only Schedule source found capable of meeting the complete urgent need within the given period.

SECTION 7. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS THAT LED TO THE RESTRICTED

CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR

THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES IS MADE

The unusual urgency addressed by this justification is temporary. The proposed order is not intended to displace competition beyond the time needed to maintain services, conduct a responsible competition, and complete transition to the replacement contractor.

The Department will compete the replacement as a firm-fixed-price small-business set-aside among eligible GSA Schedule contractors. The time being requested through this J&A will be sufficient to complete the competition, security processing, onboarding, knowledge transfer, and transition of the vendor upon the expiration of the contract established by this J&A, the timeline is expected not to exceed September 28, 2027.

Page 3 of

SECTION 8. CERTIFICATIONS

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

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

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

SIGNATURE:

Date Attorney-Advisor L/BA

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

Page of

SIGNATURE:

Division Director Date

SECTION 13. APPROVALS

COMPETITION ADVOCATE

SIGNATURE:

Date Competition Advocate Bureau of Global Acquisitions

Page of

CAI MEMORY BLOB00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000