JUSTIFICATION DETAILS for COVID-19 Class JandA_Fully Executed.pdf

JUSTIFICATION DETAILS FOR COVID-19

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a class Justification & Approval (J&A) in accordance with FAR § 6.303- 1(d) and 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency, FAR § 8.405-6(a)(1)(A), Limiting Sources, and FAR § 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A), Exceptions to the Fair Opportunity Process for all contract actions to facilitate the recovery efforts necessary to address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The J & A is essential to respond to urgent requests for immediate support to respond to the expanding outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. https://intranet.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/s3fs-public/s3fs-public/2020-03/class-justification-open-competition-covid-19-response.pdf

This form must be completed for all actions to meet the requirement set forth in 5(a) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) class J&A for the COVID-19 pandemic response issued via HHS Acquisition Alert 2020-08.

Actions taken under this authority shall include documentation of market research performed and prospective sources of supply and services.

Additionally, shall include evidence of the urgent and compelling nature of the particular action, reviewed and approved at a level above the Contracting Officer.

Identification of Program Office, Contracting Activity, and Proposed Requirement, Justification and Program Office Certification:

A. Program Office:

Division of Strategic National Stockpile 2945 Flowers Rd. South Atlanta, GA 30341

B. Contracting Activity:

Health & Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Office of Resource Management Contracts & Grants Division Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Contracts Branch

C. 1. Identification of Requirement:

a. Nature of Action to be Approved:

Sole source acquisition of (Describe):

C. 2. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited in the class J&A for the COVID-19 pandemic response.

a. Describe market research performed and prospective sources of supply and services:

b. Proposed Vendor:

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response Washington, DC 20201 https://intranet.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/s3fs-public/s3fs-public/2020-03/class-justification-open-competition-covid-19-response.pdf https://intranet.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/s3fs-public/s3fs-public/2020-03/class-justification-open-competition-covid-19-response.pdf

Rev. 5/21/2020

c. Estimated Procurement Amount (including options):

E. 3. Provide evidence of the urgent and compelling nature of the particular action:

a. Explain:

b. Other facts supporting sole source procurement if any:

F. Program Office Certification:

Technical / Requirements Certification: By my signature below, I certify that the supporting data being used under the class J & A and certify the justification is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Contracting Officer Representative’s Name:

Position Title:

COR Signature:

Date:

G. Contracting Officer’s Certification

I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I approve this justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein describe have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Rev. 5/21/2020

Contracting Officer’s Name:

Position Title:

Contracting Officer’s Signature:

Date:

H. Approval One Level Above the Contracting Officer

I have reviewed this justification and approve or do not approve the action.

Name:

Position Title:

Signature:

Date:

A sole-source bridge contract is needed to continue vital health messaging while contracts put into place to provide critically important public health, therapeutic and vaccine information that will be relevant across the country throughout the process of reopening. The agency has determined that these contracts will be competitively awarded and will likely not be in place in time to meet this immediate need.

No-year funds are available to ASPA through the CARES act to fund a bridge contract designed to respond to the urgent need to educate the public and address important information gaps about the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Any delay in this work will potentially increase the number of COVID-19 infections and ultimately deaths of even more Americans. Lack of immediate widespread messaging may also delay adoption of therapeutics and the availability of a vaccine.