OOES_JandA_Redacted.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

March 2026 Page 2 of 3March 2026 Page 2 of 3

I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

Agency: Combat Forces Command (CFC) Space Force Acquisition Office (SAIO) Contracting Activity: Space and Cyber Contracting Operations (PKO)

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

This document approves the award of a contract on a sole source basis to QWALTEC for continuation of services critical to Satellite Communication (SATCOM), to include services for Telemetry, Tracking, & Command (TT&C) operations via Space to Ground Link System (SGLS) and Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Antennas in support of the FLTSAT and UFO On Orbit Engineering Services (OOES) contract. This justification is made on an individual basis.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

The 10 SOPS under Delta 8 is mission-focused on SATCOM, with this contract effort supporting Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-on (UFO) communication satellites, and Mobile Users Objective System (MUOS) communication satellites. This system currently operates in geosynchronous orbit, providing 24/7 communication capabilities to the joint warfighter.

This contract has an estimated value of

This task order is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) type contract that will end on July 31, 2026. It is necessary to issue a noncompetitive Request for Proposal that will result in the award of a standalone contract to QWALTEC.

This contract will be from 1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2027

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2), Unusual and compelling urgency.

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

It is in the Government's best interest to award a sole-source contract to extend services to prevent a break in service. This award is to allow the continuation of services critical to Satellite Communication (SATCOM), including services for Telemetry, Tracking & Commanding (TT&C) operations via the Space-to-Ground Link System (SGLS) and Extremely High Frequency (EHF) antennas. Without it, 10 SOPS could potentially face an extended lapse in service.

Several factors necessitate this course of action, including delays caused by three separate United States Government shutdowns and issues in transferring work from the Navy to the USSF, which has resulted in an incomplete requirements package. A 30-60 day phase-in period is also needed for the new contract, which would be impossible to accommodate under the current acquisition timelines. Furthermore, these services must continue uninterrupted as they provide critical information for real-world missions, including current actions in the Middle East.

Additionally, I intend to circumvent posting requirements by using the exception in FAR 5.202(a)(2). However, the Justification and Approval (J&A) will be posted within 14 days after award for a period of 30 days, in accordance with FAR 6.305(b).

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

March 2026 Page 3 of 3March 2026 Page 3 of 3

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

The Government conducted market research for the follow-on award that was delayed as described above. Additional market research was not conducted. The current market research report identified no other existing contract vehicles which would afford a competitive acquisition in the time frame necessary. Competing this requirement in the current time frame would additionally lead to a lapse in services, putting mission support in jeopardy, as detailed above.

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Subpart 15.4, Contract Pricing.

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

As the prior N00244-21-F-3020 contract was determined to be fair and reasonable, we are asking the contractor for proposals with escalated costs based on Option Year Four, rather than a brand new proposal. By comparing prices for the 12-month extension with prices paid during the previous option year, we will then utilize additional proposal analysis techniques under FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii), "Comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid," to determine a fair and reasonable price.

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

There are no other actions planned to remove or overcome any barriers. A follow-on to this requirement is being completed on the General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution Integrated Services (OASIS+) Small Business (SB) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract Vehicle.