JOFOC-HELTH_INSURANCE_ASUNCION.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(OVERSEAS CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES)

I recommend that Embassy Asunción use other than full and open competition for the acquisition of health insurance services for Locally Employed (LE) Staff. The estimated cost is Gs. 4,485,528,320 =

$873,691 (at ROE: US$1.00 = PY Gs. 5,134) to award a bridge contract with ASISMED SAN ROQUE

S. A. for a one year period.

1. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The current period of performance will end on June 27, 2015. The purpose of this bridge contract is to provide continuing health insurance coverage to the Embassy’s LE Staff for a 12-months period from June 28, 2015 through June 30 th , 2016 and allow time to obtain final approved insurance benefit levels, publicize the solicitation, received competitive offers, evaluate and award a new competed LES health insurance contract.

2. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

Embassy Asuncion requires continued health insurance services for its LE Staff. This bridge contract is necessary to ensure that there is no break in the health insurance coverage. Post and

HR/OE are currently discussing the approval of benefit levels for the LE Staff employees so we can move forward to the solicitation phase. The Contractor shall furnish managerial, administrative and direct labor personnel to accomplish all work as required under the contract.

3. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is FAR 6.302-1, Only

One Responsible Source. This exception is discussed in paragraph 4 below.

4. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited (for sole source acquisitions; also required for unusual and compelling urgency where more than one offer will not be solicited).

The incumbent contractor, ASISMED San Roque, is the only company capable of providing uninterrupted health insurance coverage service until post can conduct a full and open competition and award a new competed LE Staff health insurance service contract. Continuous health insurance coverage/services are essential to Embassy Asuncion’s LE Staff employees.

5. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. The description should include whether a FedBizOps notice was or will be publicized, as required by FAR 5.2, and if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies (e.g., blanket waiver provided in DOSAR 605.202-70).

Due to the complexity of required services it is not practical to compete a bridge contract period and transition services to another contractor to provide continuing insurance coverage service.

All interested sources will be given the opportunity to participate in the solicitation for the new contract under full and open competitive procedures when the solicitation is released on

FedBizOpps after approved by both HE/OE and A/OPE.

6. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The cost to the Government is determined to be fair and reasonable based to comparison with (a) current prices for the same/similar contract services that derived from an adequate full and open competition, and (b) the Independent Government Cost Estimate. The 5% cost increase contractor proposed for this bridge contract is consistent with an escalating pricing pattern for each option year in the original contract.

7. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Considering the complexity of services required by the Embassy for the bridge contract are specific to its LE Staff, not consistent with health insurance coverage provided to the general

Paraguayan labor force, it is not feasible to conduct a market survey that would yield adequate and valid pricing information for this bridge contract to compare with.

8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

ASISMED San Roque’s performance has been highly satisfactory throughout the life of the contract.

9. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None

10. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The RFP for the new solicitation will be prepared and processed for A/OPE and HR/OE review and approval for release to all interested prospective offerors as soon as the benefit levels are approved by HR/OE..

CERTIFICATIONS

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

Date Name: Karin McGuire

Title: JAO/Human Resources Officer

Requirements Office

I certify that this submission is accurate, and that it contains complete information necessary to enable other officials to make an informed recommendation for approval or disapproval.

Date Tyler J. Johnston

Contracting Officer

APPROVALS

Contracting Activity Competition Advocate

(Required for actions exceeding $650,000 but not exceeding $12,500,000)

APPROVED BY:

Date Myrna Ortiz-Kerr

Contracting Activity Competition Advocate