LSJ-Weems_Redacted.pdf

Provide information for any options included in the order. If the action is a modification to an existing order, distinguish clearly between the work covered by the basic order and the work to be obtained by the proposed modification.

The Contract shall provide the following services for up to six months. The initial award is for 3 months with an option to extend for an additional 3 months; ( ), Estimated Total

4. Authority:

ORDER AGAINST FSS: Authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program, Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq.); Title 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies; and Section 803 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 (PL 107-107) and implemented by FAR 8.405-6. Mark the applicable exception and for each discuss how the cited authority applies in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(iv).

X An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays (FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A));

There is an urgent need to award a follow-on task order by March 30, 2026, to ensure uninterrupted professional staffing support for ASPR’s Center for Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain (IBMSC) Defense Production Act (DPA) – Emergency Response Authorities (ERA) Office DPA Title III (industrial base expansion) Program. Due to a series of unforeseen federal and Departmental actions, a new competitive professional services staffing contract/task order was not awarded as originally planned. These unforeseen events include reductions in staff, uncertainty about the organizational structure of ASPR, uncertainty of consolidated and centralized contracting offices, large-scale reductions in contracts resulting in increased workload for ASPR contracting officers to terminate for convenience and close out the eliminated contracts, immediate compliance with numerous Executive Orders, and two federal government shutdowns.

To provide context for the circumstances that have necessitated a shortened procurement timeline and, consequently, limited competition, please refer to the timeline outlined below:

On June 3-7, 2024, a team of ASPR Contracting Officers (COs), Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) and Project Managers (PMs) for a new competitive professional and administrative staffing multiple award indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (MA-IDIQ) for ASPR attended a week-long General Services Administration (GSA) Civilian Services Acquisition Workshop (CSAW) to strengthen and refine the acquisition strategy. To allow sufficient time for the procurement, the existing MA-IDIQ was extended through March 29, 2025. The MA-IDIQs included FAR clause 52.216-22, which permits task orders issued prior to the ordering period expiration date of the MA-IDIQ to have a period of performance up to one year beyond the MA-IDIQ’s expiration date. The new MA-IDIQ acquisition package was completed October 2, 2024, with the goal to continue the required market research and competitively award the new vehicle prior to the March 29, 2025, expiration date.

During the first quarter of 2025, multiple federal and Departmental initiatives significantly reduced staffing capacity in both the contracting offices and the program offices requiring contract support. These actions included:

Within the Office of the Head of Contracting Activity (OHCA) alone, the number of federal employees was reduced from 65 to 16 full-time equivalents. Amid these reductions, the March 20, 2025, Executive Order “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement” and the March 27, 2025, HHS announcement to “Make America Healthy Again” had substantial impacts to ASPR procurements. Pursuant to Departmental guidance and in coordination with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ASPR was directed to review and reduce, via negotiated terminations for convenience, approximately in contract actions, including interagency agreements for assisted acquisitions.

Additionally, the March 27, 2025 reorganization announcement indicated that the number of HHS divisions would be reduced from 28 to 15, core administrative functions would be centralized, and ASPR’s national disaster and public health emergency response functions would transfer to CDC. This uncertainty regarding ASPR’s future structure and mission effectively paused efforts to award a new ASPR MA-IDIQ contract, as requirements could become obsolete and transition timelines were unknown. Furthermore, as a result of the April 1, 2025 Reduction in Force (RIFs) and related staff reductions, ASPR’s capacity to execute new procurement actions was further constrained.

In September 2025, ASPR executed extensions under FAR clause 52.217-8 to the Professional Technical and Medical Staffing Support Services (PTMSSS) IDIQ task orders, extending performance through March 29, 2026. These extensions preserved existing capabilities while providing time to assess ASPR’s long-term organizational status and enduring requirements. At that time, the Centers were simultaneously directed to explore alternative contract staffing solutions, as no