Marine Meteorology Division - Consolidation DF (Redacted).pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY

4555 OVERLOOK AVE SW

WASHINGTON, DC 20375-5320

Ser: 1300/0041

Purchase Request: 75-028C-20

Determination and Findings for Consolidation of Requirements

Requirement: Atmospheric Aerosol Prediction and Applications Research and Development

DETERMINATION

In accordance with (IAW) FAR 7.107-2, the consolidation of the Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Marine Meteorology Division (MMD), Code 7500, requirement for Atmospheric Aerosol Prediction and Applications Research and Development is determined to be necessary and justified. The benefits of a consolidated acquisition would substantially exceed the benefits that would be derived from each of the alternative contracting approaches.

FINDINGS

(1) NRL’s MMD conducts a broadly based multidisciplinary program of scientific research and advanced technological development directed toward environment information superiority for the Department of Defense, and to provide Navy decision-makers with timely and accurate information about the marine environment anywhere in the world. The division is divided into two branches, each with a distinct focus area:

a. Atmospheric Dynamics and Prediction Branch - basic research and scientific and technological development related to the analysis and prediction of atmospheric processes that impact fleet operations and mission planning

b. Meteorological Applications Development Branch - develops automated, customer tailored, on-demand weather impact information systems and transitions them to operations to support naval missions in a variety of warfare areas, most notably strike, marine and special operations, and tactical decision aids for planning Command and Control (C2) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions

(2) Historically, contractual support for MMD involved a single integrated contract, N00173-12- C-6004, that supported the research and development (R&D) efforts into new simulation and prediction capabilities, as well as the computer science, information technology (IT), and software engineering support required to implement and operationalize the developed forecast models and tactical decision aids (TDAs). The recompete of this initial contract was subsequently broken down into two separate requirements: N00173-15-F-6402 for the more R&D focused efforts in developing new models and TDAs; and N00178-15-D-8169/FF01 for the engineering and IT to implement/operationalize the models and TDAs. The following table provides a summary of these contracts:

Determination and Findings for Consolidation of Requirements

(6) Alternative contracting approaches were considered:

a. Re-compete each contract separately – This course of action would result in two separate solicitations and contracts, consistent with the current arrangements, and potentially two separate awardees. Given the history of minimal competition and the results of market research, both solicitations would more than likely be issued utilizing full and open competition. The Government would continue to have to coordinate between two contractors as R&D into new models transition to operational TDAs, losing out on all efficiencies that would be gained from having a single contractor support the development, transition, and management of these new capabilities.

b. Consolidate two predecessor contracts into a single contract – This course of action would result in a single solicitation and contract, consistent with N00173-12-C-6004, utilizing full and open competition. Navy technical requirements continue to evolve and require the close integration from research to the transition of new capabilities to the field, and this consolidation will better enable the agility and speed necessary to respond to emergent needs by coordinating the resources across a single contractor.

One contractor with a single touch point for project management, accountability, coordination of staff/tasks, reporting, implementation of changes, etc. will allow the Government to take advantage of streamlined processes, optimized knowledge management, and more effective oversight in the end-to-end development of new capabilities. This simplification decreases the risk of oversight errors and miscommunications and reduces risks related to knowledge transfer and the learning curve often seen during transitions between contractors, ensuring momentum is maintained.

A single contract provides technical benefits and allows contractors to leverage scientific tasks and interact with Government researchers more effectively on scientific tasks, more readily identify problems, and more efficiently resolve bottlenecks: Two sets of scientific tasks under this proposed contract addressing “Prediction System Research and Development” (SOW task 3.1) and “Tactical-Scale Environmental Forecasting and Warfighter Research and Development” (SOW task 3.2) are highly complex scientific and technology tasks. A single contract allows a focused effort among the contractor and subcontractors, who may otherwise be dispersed among different contracts. This concentrated effort projects directly into the workflow of Government researchers by enabling them to align their project tasks with a single contractor who will then coordinate among its subcontractors.

This consolidation is intended to significantly increase productivity and reduce duplication of effort. Other SOW tasks, such as “Tier2/Tier3 Application Research and Development” (3.3) and “Research Coordination and IT Tasks” (3.4), require focused effort with Government researchers, IT, and operational partners. Research will be more productive with a single award contract.

Additionally, consolidating the two contracts into one contract will eliminate the duplication of admin management efforts on the Government side. Consolidating contracts creates the opportunity to eliminate redundant admin processes, allowing government personnel to pivot towards more strategic tasks. Furthermore, transitioning to a single contract framework mitigates several potential risks associated with contract admin, such as the complexities of managing multiple contracts and the admin burdens they create.

(7) This determination was coordinated and approved by the NRL Deputy for Small Business, , and approved by the SBA Procurement Center Representative,

(8) This acquisition strategy is not expected to have a negative impact on contracting with small business concerns. There is a small business incumbent on contract N00178-15-D-8169 / FF01, who has expressed interest in the consolidated re-compete and is considered capable of meeting the requirement. All predecessor contracts were awarded through the use of full and open competition or fair opportunity to all vendors, with no set-asides used.

(9) The results of market research indicated that this acquisition would not be appropriate for a small business set-aside, however, the Government will take several steps to include small business concerns in the acquisition strategy. Because some degree of subcontracting is anticipated, a subcontracting plan will be required in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 from other than small businesses. An evaluation factor will also be established (applicable to all offerors) per DFARS 215.304(c)(i) to evaluate the extent of participation of small businesses and the various socioeconomic categories, as well as previous past performance in complying with FAR 52.219-8 and FAR 52.19-9.

Review and Concurrence

I have reviewed the circumstances of this acquisition, as set forth above, and concur that the proposed consolidation of the requirements for the Atmospheric Aerosol Prediction and Applications Research and Development is both necessary and justified, and will serve the best interests of the Government.

Prepared by:

Signature:

Contract Specialist

Review and Concurrence:

Signature:

Legal Counsel

Signature:

Contracting Officer

Signature:

Chief of the Contracting Office

Determination

Based on the foregoing findings, I, as the Senior Executive of the STRL under the authority of the FY 2017 NDAA Section 233 Pilot Program, determine the consolidation is necessary and justified, and will serve the best interests of the Government.

DATE: _____________

Director of Research