Justification for Tatitlik Government Services.pdf

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.805-l(b), 19.808-l(a) and 6.303- 2(d), upon the basis of the following justification, the ti.S. I)epartment of State" Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) proposes to enter into a sole-source 8(a) contract for the proposed conkactual action based on the fact that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the requirement on behalf of a concern owned by an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native Corporation for Administrative Services and Program Support on behalf of Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency within the Executive Branch and the lead institution for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy. DS is established under the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, provides a secure environment for conducting U.S. diplomacy and promoting U.S. interests worldwide. DS is the most widely represented U.S. law enforcement and security agency in the world, protecting people, property, and information at over 215 State posts around the globe. It is the only such organization that possesses the core capabilities needed to enable a comprehensive law enforcement and security posture in domestic and overseas locations, positioning DS as a leader in security management for the United States and the world.

The success of DS relies on its skilled and diverse blended contractor and federal workforce to carry out its goals and priorities. To signifrcantly improve efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction, DS has analyzed relevant workforce data, collaborated with internal and external entities to improve processes, and worked with industry partners to fill contracted positions with high quality personnel to maintain and strengthen its workforce. Additionally, to bring creativity to the workplace, drive innovation, and strengthen DS's ability to confront complex challenges, it continues to be a top DS priority to build a workforce reflective of the nation's broad diversity.

The DS conkactor workforce has increased exponentially over a five-and-a-half-year timespan, beginning in Fiscal Year 2018 to current. Since the inception of the professional services conffact, and with the additional task orders over the period of performance the contract cost has grown significantly from $56.7 million to $97.6 million. Data shows there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of positions, subsequently leading to a 38 percent rise in the contract total.

2. A description of the supplies or serrrices required to meet the Department's needs.

The requirement is to provide continued Professional Executive Support Services to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. These services include, but are not limited to: International Security Analysis, Program Management, and Communications; Security Logistics; Security Operations;

Space Management; Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning; Administrative Assistance; Information Technology (IT) Security; Office Management; Operations Coordination; Program Management;

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JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE 8(a) CONTRACT

EXCEEDING $25 MILLION

FAR Part 19.805-l(b) and FAR Part 19.808-l(a)

Records Management; Staff Assistance; and Technical Writing services

The period of performance is as follows:

o Base Period: July l, 2024,t111\ June 30, 2025 . Option Pcriod One: July 7,2025, thru June 30,2026 . Option Period Two: July 1,2026, thru June 30,2027 o Option Period Three: July 1, 2027,thru June 30, 2028 . Option Period Four: July 1,2028, thru June 30,2029

DS personnel develops and implements administrative and management policies, plans, and procedures to cnsure the Department of State's resources are allocated, administered, and accounted for in accordancc with U.S. law and government regulations. This contract will fulfill the agency's mission of providing highly professional executive support (e.g., policy and strategic planning, strategic advisory, executive support, logistic support, and contractors) who work together to ensure that their department can carry out their foreign and domestic policy missions safely and securely.

3. The statutory provision providing the exception from the requirement to use competitive procedures in entering into the contract.

Award under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act is authorized at by Statute l5.U.S.C. 637(a) as prescribed at FAR 6.302-5(bX4) and SBA's acceptance of the requirement on behalf of a firm owned by an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native Corporation.

The decision by the contracting officer to utilize the 8(a) program is recognized in FAR 5.202(a)$) as being authorized by statute. Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act penlits award to Alaskan Native Corporations on a sole source basis.

4. A determination that the use of a sole-source contract is in the best interest of the agency.

It is in the best interest of the agency to award to Tatitlek Govemment Senrices Inc. based upon the following:

The identified 8(a) Alaska Native Corporation, Tatitlek, 561 East 36ft Avenue, Anchorage Alaska 99503, has been determined to be small under NAICS Code 541690

(OTHER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONSULTING SERVICES: INDEXED

ENTRY - SECURITY CONSULTING SERVICES), and eligible for award under Section 8(a), of the Small Business Act.

b. Tatitlek has relevant experience in providing high quality professional staff and retaining personnel which meet the Government's requirements. Their knowledge and understanding of DS's mission, protocols, values and processes, as well as their famlliarization with the Department of State's organization and priorities, makes them exceptionally capable to provide quality administrative and management services. Any a interruption in these critical seruices andlor the loss of incumbent staff will pose a negative risk and significant downgrade in the quality and efficiency of the agency's work, endangering the Department's ability to fully pursue and execute its mission.

Tatitlek has successfully performed under four (4) DOS fDIQ contracts demonstrating its ability to provide continuity of services during contract transition, retaining existing staff, and through the contract's period of performance with robust recruitment and quick backfills of qualified, competent staff. Additionally, this firm has demonstrated a low attrition rate, making the company attractive to the agency. Under the DS IDIQ, the company demonstrated an effective hiring plan when new orders were established.

This new requirement demands the recruitment of key talent for newly defined positions, along with the inclusion of approximately 138 incumbent staff (under an expiring contract with seven task orders), with the necessary skill sets that traditional staffing contracts do not support given the intense price competition in the marketplace. This price competition results in incumbent personnel having to accept significant salary andlor benefit reductions to retain their positions.

Alternatively, the loss of these experienced personnel would have a profound adverse impact on Departmental mission capabilities.

During the market research and Request for Quote process, DS received responses from 34 firms. It was found, that although three companies were capable to provide professional services, the amount of time for any of them to transition into place would cause undue hardship on the program offices and draw risk of work stoppage, as well as increased costs born to the agency.

An award to Tatitlek will reduce training costs and time spent through the recruitment and hiring process, by utilizing the incumbent staff. For these reasons and the short time remaining on the cuffent contract, it is therefore in the best interest of the Government to award the new IDIQ to Tatitlek. DS is confident that Tatitlek will be able to retain the existing trained staff in the niche fields and proprietary systems, who hold current security clearances, thus minimizing intemrption to the critical workflow, and solidit.ing a smooth transition.

5. A determination that the anticipated cost of the contract will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated pricing will be fair and reasonable pricing based upon historical price comparisons and the Independent Government Cost Estimate, given the allowance for a slight increase attributed to inflation. For all new positions added to the conkact, the Contracting Officer will use the fully burdened rates of similar positions across other IDIQ's within the f)epartm*nt of State as a basis for price comparison, along with other internet tools such as GSA's pricing tool called "CALC". Based on these assertions, the Contracting Officer anticipates that the resultant IDIQ contract rates, as well as those for task orders issued under the contract, will be fair and reasonable.

Utilizing the rates established in the IDIQ Contract, DS will negotiate the appropriate labor mix, as well as the hours necessary to accomplish the requirements of each individual task order.

By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer has determined that the labor rates to the Government are expected to be fair and reasonable.

6. Any other facts specified by the agency head as required in support of this justification.

Modification beyond the scope of an initial 8(a) contract arvard is considered to be a new contracting action. It will be treated the same as an unpriced option as described in l3 CFR $ 124.514, section a.2. Exercise of B1a) options and raodifications, if the conccrn is still a participant and otherrvise eligible for the requirernent on a sole source bases. the procuring activity C-'ontracting Officer may negotiate price and exercise the option provided the option.

considered a new contracting action. meets all regulatory requirements, including the activity's ofTering and SBA's acceptance of the requirement 1'or the 8(a) BD program.

Due to the substantial increase in the originai scope, size and complexity of the initial contract, DS hereby considers this requirement a ner.r, contracting ection. The Small Business Act requires that a Contracting Officer reviews all acquisitions to determine whether the requirement can be met at a fair and reasonable price by a Small Disadvantaged Business firm. The Contracting Officer, having made this determination, would proceed with the acquisition in full compliance with the terms as well as the intent of the FAR.

l)S supports SBA's 8(a) program, which gives opporlunities to small, disadvantaged business.

An arr'rard *J'this contract helps the agency achieve its small business contracting goals for both the Indian ecc.rnomic goals and the 8(a) program goals.

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TECHNICAL REQTIIREMENTS CERTIF'ICATIONS

I certif,i that this justification is accurate and contains complete data necessary to support the recommendation for other than full and open competition.

SIGNr$,.A'{JRE:

Date Scnior R.csuiricc Xlrnagi:r' Office of the Executive Director

SIGNATURE

Date Executive Director Office of the Executive Director

I,EGAI, SUFFICIENCY REVIEW