Limited Source Justification (LSJ) – Bridge Task Order - In Accordance with FAR 8.4 (RFO DEV), GSAR 538.7104-3-3 and EPA Policy (EPAAP) Subsection 6.3.1

(Note that this LSJ is drafted in accordance with the EPA FAR Class Deviation, RFO-2025-08)

1) Identification of the Agency, Contracting Activity, and Document being approved:

Procurement Office: US EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Agency: Environmental Protection Agency GSA Schedule Contract Number: Contract GS-35F-0343W, primarily SINS 54151S Task Order Number: GS-35F-0343W 68HE0319F0020 Current (Existing) Bridge Task Order Number: GS-35F-0343W 68HE0325F0018 Pending Bridge Task Order Number: 47QTCA21D0029 68HE0326F0012 Contractor Name: LinTech Global, Inc.

Government Estimate/Estimated Contract Value (Bridge): $717,128.96 5 Description of Requirement: R3 intends to issue a bridge task order for EPA Region 2. This is an urgent and compelling requirement to provide coverage for Information Technology, Telecommunication Support Services, and Geospatial Support Services.

2) Description of action being approved:

General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i) Limited sources justification and approval.

Region 3 intends to issue a bridge task order for EPA Region 2. This is an urgent and compelling requirement to provide coverage for Information Technology, Telecommunication Support Services and Geospatial Support Services. Orders placed under Federal Supply Schedules are exempt from the requirements in Part 6. However, an ordering activity must justify its action when restricting consideration in accordance with the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) 538.7104-3.

Circumstance justifying limiting the source: GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i).

The Government’s need for the Information Technology services for Region 2 represents an unusual and compelling urgency that precludes full and open competition and delay in award of a contract would result in unacceptable delays and serious injury, financial or other, to the Government.

3) Description of Supplies or Services Required:

This requirement is for Information Technology (IT), Telecommunication and Geospatial Support Services required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, located in New York, New York. Under this requirement, the Contractor is required to perform the following tasks:

• Desktop Management Services Support

• User Training

• Internet/Intranet Support Services

• Multimedia Support Services

• Regional Emergency Operations Center IT Support

• Local Area Network (LAN)/Software Support

• Voice, Mobile Device and Data Telecommunications (VTC)

• Geographic Information Systems Support

• Data Entry and Data Management Support

The period of performance for this bridge contract would be a three (3) month base period, with one (1) three-month option period. The EPA intends to solicit and award to the incumbent contractor, LinTech Global, Inc. and issue task order 68HE0326F0012 under GSA Schedule Contract 47QTCA21D0029.

The Multi-Regional IT Support Services (MRITSS) was awarded on 10/28/2024 by EPA Region 9 through the issuance of ten (10) blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) as follows:

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) HOLDER PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFIER (PIID)

ACCELGOV LLC 68HE0925A0001

ASRC FEDERAL CYBER, LLC 68HE0925A0002

CCS LINTECH JV LLC 68HE0925A0003

CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC 68HE0925A0004

CONCERAS LLC 68HE0925A0005

CPM ENTERPRISES LLC 68HE0925A0006

GI4, LLC 68HE0925A0007

ITFRASTRUCTURE, INC. 68HE0925A0008

MSM TECHNOLOGY LLC 68HE0925A0009

RESOLVESOFT, INC. 68HE0925A0011

These BPAs are to be the replacement vehicles for the original GSA Task Order, 68HE0319F0020.

However, a protest was filed with the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC) and, a stay of performance was issued on the MRITSS award while the protest was reviewed. Bridge task order 68HE0325F0018 was needed to continue IT support services during the protest stay of performance for the MRITSS award. Additionally, due to a lapse in funding the Federal Government was shut down from October 1, 2025 through November 12, 2025. This shutdown has resulted in an unforeseen and unavoidable delay in the solicitation timeline for the award of MRITSS call orders for EPA Region 3.

4) Identification of Authority and Supporting Rationale:

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program [41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies].

Specifically, FAR 8.4 (RFO DEV) and GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i).

5) Demonstration that the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 has an immediate need for essential IT support services which are critical to conducting regional EPA business functions and meeting the EPA mission to protect human health and the environment.

EPA Region 2 requires IT Services support immediately to meet critical mission requirements and failure to provide these services on a timely basis will jeopardize successful mission accomplishment of protecting human health and the environment in the Northeastern United States. In addition, disruptions in IT service support severely impacts the ability of EPA Region 2 personnel to support the current federal emergency response efforts for disaster related events. Without IT support, EPA is unable to perform its duties resulting in absolute mission failure.

GSA Task Order 68HE0319F0020 period of performance was for a base period of one year and four one-year option periods. The order was initially awarded on 4/5/2019 for a period of performance from

5/1/2019 to 4/30/2024. However, InuTeq, LLC, a small business of Beltsville, Maryland, protested the issuance of a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) task order to LinTech Global, Inc., a small business, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the EPA under request for quotations (RFQ) No.

1269027 with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). This resulted in the delay of the start of the task order period of performance pending resolution of the GAO protest.

GSA Task Order 68HE0319F0020 period of performance at initial award:

Period: Beginning: Ending:

Base Period 5/1/2019 4/30/2020 Option Period 1 5/1/2020 4/30/2021 Option Period 2 5/1/2021 4/30/2022 Option Period 3 5/1/2022 4/30/2023 Option Period 4 5/1/2023 4/30/2024

Upon Region 3’s resolution of the GAO protest and the stay of performance on Task Order 68HE0319F0020 was lifted, Modification P00002 was issued to modify the period of performance to begin on 9/1/2019 and end on 8/31/2024.

Revised GSA Task Order 68HE0319F0020 Period of Performance (Incorporation of Mod P00002):

Base Period 9/1/2019 8/31/2020 Option Period 1 9/1/2020 8/31/2021 Option Period 2 9/1/2021 8/31/2022 Option Period 3 9/1/2022 8/31/2023 Option Period 4 9/1/2023 8/31/2024

Revised Period of Performance (Incorporation of Mod P00038):

Option To Extend (IAW FAR 52.212-8) 9/1/2024 2/28/2025

Per FAR Clause 52.212-8, Option to Extend Services, Modification P00038 was issued extending the current GSA task order by an additional six (6) months from 9/1/2024 to 2/28/2025. The task order cannot be extended any further since there are no remaining options nor allowance for further extensions.

The order has exhausted all its optional line items and so no further options would be within scope of the order without competition.

Award of Multi-Regional IT Support Services (MRITSS) BPA:

The Multi-Regional IT Support Services (MRITSS) was awarded on 10/28/2024 by EPA Region 9 through the issuance of ten (10) blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) as follows:

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) HOLDER PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFIER (PIID)

ACCELGOV LLC 68HE0925A0001

ASRC FEDERAL CYBER, LLC 68HE0925A0002

CCS LINTECH JV LLC 68HE0925A0003

CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC 68HE0925A0004

CONCERAS LLC 68HE0925A0005

CPM ENTERPRISES LLC 68HE0925A0006

GI4, LLC 68HE0925A0007

ITFRASTRUCTURE, INC. 68HE0925A0008

MSM TECHNOLOGY LLC 68HE0925A0009

RESOLVESOFT, INC. 68HE0925A0011

These BPAs are to be the replacement vehicles for the current GSA Task Order, 68HE0319F0020.

The award was placed under a stay of performance due to the submission of a protest by Golden IT, LLC

v. US, No. 24-1893C (Fed. Cl.) with the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC).

Award of GSA Task Order Bridge 68HE0325F0018

Period of Performance

Base Period 3/1/2025 8/31/2025 Option Period 1 9/1/2025 11/30/2025 Option Period 2 12/1/2025 2/28/2026

The Government (EPA, Region 9) awarded MRITSS, a new, replacement IT services Blanket Purchase Order (BPA) to a pool of GSA 8(a) contractors on 10/28/2024. However, it was placed under a stay of performance due to the submission of a protest by Golden IT, LLC v. US, No. 24-1893C (Fed. Cl.) with the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC). The award was still under a stay of performance upon the expiration of Task Order 68HE0319F0020 requiring a Task Order Bridge be awarded to ensure continuation of operation without disruption. The newly awarded IT services BPA took approximately ten (10) months to solicit and award. Since the current GSA task order, East Coast Helpdesk Order (ECHO), expired on 28 February 2025, there was insufficient time to solicit, evaluate, and award another contractual action to any contractor, other than the incumbent LinTech Global, Inc.

LinTech would be able to provide the support of skilled, qualified, and experienced personnel quickly and efficiently to adequately support the required array of IT services across the large, required area of operation without disruption. The Government would be seriously injured by any disruption in service of the IT Support Services for EPA Regions 1, 2 and 3.

The bridge covered a six (6) month base period of performance beginning from date of award and would include two (2) each, 3-month option periods. The total period of performance for the bridge is not expected to exceed twelve (12) months in total duration to include the option periods. The period of performance was expected to cover the timeframe until the COFC decision was issued. Below is an abstract of the period of performance and associated costs:

Period: Beginning: Ending: Cost Base Period 3/1/2025 8/31/2025 Option Period 1 9/1/2025 11/30/2025 Option Period 2 12/1/2025 02/28/2026

Total $2,968,133.27

Award of GSA Task Order Bridge 47QTCA21D0029 68HE0326F0012

Due to a lapse in funding, the Federal Government shut down from October 1, 2025 through November 12, 2025. Since the current GSA task order, East Coast Helpdesk Order (ECHO) bridge, expires on 28 February 2026, there is insufficient time to properly solicit, evaluate, and award another contractual action to any contractor, other than the incumbent LinTech Global, Inc. LinTech would be able to provide the support of skilled, qualified, and experienced personnel quickly and efficiently to adequately support the required array of IT services across the large, required area of operation without disruption. The Government would be seriously injured by any disruption in service of the IT Support Services for EPA

Region 2.

This justification supports a limited source, bridge GSA task order in accordance with GSAR 538.7104- 3(b)(1)(i). An unusual urgent and compelling need exists to continue services as a severe acquisition delay was caused by the shutdown. Failure to award a contract action quickly will cause a disruption of service and a significant negative impact to Regional 2 business operations. LinTech Global, Inc.

currently provides IT support services to EPA Regions 2 under the current GSA task order and therefore is fully capable of continuing to perform these services without any break in service.

The bridge would cover a three (3) month base period of performance beginning from date of award and would include one (1) 3-month option period (if needed thereafter). The total period of performance for the bridge is not expected to exceed six (6) months in total duration to include the option periods. The period of performance is expected to cover the timeframe until the requirement can be properly solicited, evaluated and awarded. Below is an abstract of these costs:

Base Period Option Period 1 Total

03/01/2026 - 05/31/2026 06/01/2026 - 08/31/2025 $717,128.96

6) Description of Efforts to Solicit as Many Offers as Practicable or Exception:

An unusual urgent and compelling need for EPA Region 2 support services exist for this requirement, and following competitive Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays per GSAR 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i). It is anticipated that it would take a minimum of 180 days to conduct a competitive acquisition which would threaten EPA operations in Region 2 and jeopardize EPA federal emergency response efforts.

Since the current GSA task order expires on 28 February 2026, there is insufficient time to solicit, evaluate, and award another contractual action to any other contractor, other than the incumbent LinTech Global, Inc.

It is the intent of the EPA to place future IT requirements under the recently awarded MRITSS BPAs (RFQ 1672135) and compete BPA call orders among GSA IT MAS contractors in the 8(a) competitive pool for the applicable SIN/Schedule. This will ensure that BPA call orders competed amongst the pool of MRITSS BPA holders are competitively priced.

7) Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable and Represents the Best Value:

Fair and reasonable pricing on this task order will be determined by the Contracting Officer’s price analysis of the incumbent’s quote submission. The labor categories and rates will be evaluated in accordance with the GSA Contract 47QTCA21D0029, primarily SINS 54151S, Information Technology Professional Services. A price evaluation will be conducted by comparing the offered rates to the previous order’s rates, the Independent Government Estimate (IGE), and also to other schedule holders offering similar services using the IT MAS schedules, primarily SINS 54151S.

The government estimate of $680,342.16 is based on current rates provided under GSA Contract 47QTCA21D0029 and derived from the rates on the incumbent’s current GSA task order with the EPA.

Task Order 68HE0319F0020 dollar value information as reported in USASpending.gov are as follows:

Obligated Amount $17,372,574.44

Current Award Amount $17,372,574.44 Maximum Potential Award Amount $19,892,706.86

The current Task Order Bridge 68HE0325F0018 dollar value information as reported in USASpending.gov are as follows:

Obligated Amount $2,993,323.53 Current Award Amount $2,993,323.53 Maximum Potential Award Amount $2,993,323.53

The Contracting Officer will perform a price evaluation that is consistent with FAR 8 (RFO DEV). In accordance with GSAR 538.7102 and FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(i), price reasonableness was determined via a price analysis, utilizing current prices paid under GSA Contract 47QTCA21D0029 and MRITSS BPA 68HE0925A0003 as a valid benchmark.

8) Description of market research conducted:

As the incumbent vendor, LinTech Global, Inc., is capable of satisfying this urgent and compelling need having performed these services under the current action for over five (5) years now. Having the incumbent perform these services under this bridge action will ensure that there is seamless coverage.

The incumbent, LinTech Global, Inc already has a workforce that are already trained, cleared by security, and have the proper certifications to provide IT support services for EPA Regions 3. Awarding a bridge action will minimize IT service disruption and ensure the EPA can conduct agency business while continuing to achieve mission objectives.

A scope review was completed on 08/05/2025 and the Performance Work Statement was found to be within scope of the GSA Schedule Consolidated Contract 47QTCA21D0029 primarily SINS 54151S. The Contracting officer reviewed GSA’s e-library and verified that LinTech Global, Inc. is still the vendor under GSA Contract schedule 47QTCA21D0029. The System Award Management was reviewed, and LinTech Global, Inc. is active and in good standing. The bridge task order will be issued under the GSA Schedule Contract 47QTCA21D0029.

9) Other facts supporting the justification:

LinTech Global, Inc. has the unique institutional expertise that is required to sustain the support services and task order deliverables at acceptable levels. This assessment has been proven from their past year’s record of servicing all three regions. The services provided are essential to the affected offices’ ability to meet critical agency goals and its mission. A lapse in this service would result in mission failure for all three regions. Additionally, the recently passed continuing resolution (CR) has only provided funding until January 30, 2026, which is one month prior to the expiration of the current Task Order Bridge 68HE0325F0018. Bearing in mind the current political climate that is present in Congress, and having just ended the longest Federal Government shutdown in the history of the United States, it would be in the best interest of the EPA to have a new Task Order Bridge awarded to provide for no lapse in coverage for Regions 2 allowing continuing unfettered performance of EPA’s mission.

10) List of sources that expressed an interest in the acquisition:

No other sources were solicited due to the urgency of this requirement.

11) Statement of Actions to overcome barriers of competition:

The delay in acquisition process as a result of the Federal Government shutdown from October 1, 2025