Redacted JnA.docx

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR PART 16 EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY JUSTIFICATION

For Actions Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) Programs/Equipment: Geospatial Architectural Services (GAS) Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304c(b)(2) as implemented by FAR Part 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) – Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

Amount: REDACTED

Prepared by:

REDACTED

DSN:

REDACTED

Contracting Officer Email: christopher.r.moy.civ@mail.mil

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support an exception to fair opportunity.

Control No: JA-20-Adel-070 Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Supply/Service: Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Research, Data, and Services

FAR Part 16 Exception to Fair Opportunity Justification Under Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Contracts For Actions Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

1. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Adelphi Contracting Division (CCAP-SCA), 2800 Powder Mill RD, Adelphi, MD 20783.

2. Description of Action: The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) requests a modification to task order W911QX-18-F-0034 with Applied Research Associates, Inc., 4300 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite A-220, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110-1295 awarded under the Persistent Surveillance – Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (PS- ISR) Program. Analytical Software contract vehicle (W911QX-16-D-0015) to increase the ceiling by REDACTED, from REDACTED to REDACTED and adding new option CLIN 0009. This CLIN was not anticipated, evaluated, or priced during the original award. The Government projects modification award in May 2020 and Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds will be used.

(1) REDACTED ceiling increase for CLIN 0004 (O&M) and (2) REDACTED ceiling for new option CLIN 0009 (O&M). Option CLIN 0009 (O&M) is a new CLIN being added onto thIs task order. Therefore, it was not anticipated, evaluated, or priced during the original award. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Technical Monitor (TM) provided an Independent Government Estimate (IGE) to describe additional consideration for the new work to CLIN 0004 and the new option CLIN 0009. This change order does not fundamentally alter the type of work required by the original Statement of Objective (SOO). Reference the funding table in paragraph 3 for a visual illustration of the proposed changes.

An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement is an R&D acquisition and does not meet the definition of services in 10 U.S.C.

2330(c)(2).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The Government requires support for the development, implementation, and extension of today’s evolving National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) architecture to the forward edge delivering Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) data and services in a myriad of forms in support of forward deployed warfighters. These are critical capabilities that allow forward deployed warfighters to perform mission critical functions in order to optimize detection, collection, processing, characterization, exploitation and dissemination of GEOINT to mission partners. Additional support and services are required based on the unexpected demand/requirements from the deployed warfighters. the intent of this modification is to increase the ceiling of CLIN 0004 and add CLIN 0009 thereby, providing additional support for the Odyssey and Aerial Reconnaissance Tactical Edge Mapping Imagery System (ARTEMIS) projects for the same scope of work currently being provided to the Warfighters.

An IGE was created by performing a detailed analysis that evaluated the Labor Categories (LCAT) spell out and Other Direct Cost (ODC) spell out requirements of existing O&M projects currently supporting the warfighter. A total of 99.5 FTE was estimated as required to fund new required support for these projects totaling an estimated REDACTED labor with an additional REDACTED estimated ODC needed to justify the total REDACTED request. Funding will be applied as illustrated in the table below:

Funding Table

Increase Via J&A

0004 O&M

9/28/2019

Support -thru

0009 O&M

9/28/2020

Support -thru

The original award funded CLINs 0001 & 0002 upon initial execution of the contract. CLINs 0001 received a no-cost period of performance (PoP) extension to extend its PoP to 02/27/2021 and CLIN 0004 was executed in late Sept 2019 as CLIN 0002’s PoP completed. As the deployed warfighter demand surged for O&M needs, the available ceiling on CLIN 0006 was transferred to CLIN 0004 to establish its current ceiling of REDACTED. This ceiling will be fully exhausted with a new modification expected to award on GAS by 05/04/2020.

For FY21, the requesters suggested the creation of new CLIN 0009 since our understanding is that when the O&M ceiling on CLIN 0006 was transferred to CLIN 0004, the PoP on CLIN 0006 started. This means that CLIN 0006 cannot be utilized for FY21 O&M funding. If the requester’s information about CLIN 0006 is incorrect, then the REACTED of O&M ceiling could simply be added to CLIN 0006.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 2304c(b)(2) as implemented by FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) – Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

5. Reason for Authority Cited: As described in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), when only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required the supplies and services ordered are unique or highly specialized, full and open competition need not be provided. The original GAS task order contains eight (8) CLINs as follows:

On 28 September 2018, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) was awarded the GEOINT Architecture Services (GAS) task order W911QX-18-F-0034 under the Persistent Surveillance – Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (PS-ISR) Program. Analytical Software contract vehicle (W911QX-16-D-0015) for REDACTED.

Over the first 12 months of the contract, two specific O&M funded projects (Odyssey & ARTEMIS) have resulted in an enormous end user demand (including both Army & SOCOM elements) which has resulted in the O&M ceilings becoming quickly depleted. These two (2) specific projects (Odyssey & ARTEMIS) are delivering mission critical functionality that cannot be sourced from any other vendor to meet the end customer mission needs.

ARA has assembled a team with 16 active subcontractors executing 14 individual projects (all currently executing on the GAS task order) that are focused on rapidly fielding mission critical GEOINT solutions to the warfighter and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) elements deployed. From the NGA Director to General Officers in Afghanistan and Commanders in Africa, these capabilities are delivering unprecedented results which, in turn, has caused the O&M ceilings on the GAS contract to be expended much quicker than anticipated.

On 19 October 2017, Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) (current sub to ARA on GAS) was awarded the COM7 GSA Task Order #47QFCA18F0006, which was where both the Odyssey and ARTEMIS projects began. Therefore, ARA currently is the only vendor that has Odyssey capabilities deployed in Afghanistan and South Korea. No other vendor has the required technical expertise combined with the contractual relationships and the existing deployed engineering teams to support Odyssey & ARTEMIS. This O&M ceiling increase is required to allow Odyssey and ARTEMIS to extend to other customers in Pacific Command (PACOM) and European Command (EUCOM).

Odyssey: The Odyssey project is a tailored set of edge nodes designed to provide warfighters access to GEOINT content and services at the tactical edge. Content is pre- loaded to Amazon Web Services (AWS) ‘Snowballs’ (cloud computing and networking cluster) and sent to warfighter locations worldwide. Odyssey delivers GEOINT data, geospatial applications, and services to coalition forces.

Odyssey allows edge users to access massive amounts of GEOINT data locally. This means that mission planners can open files in seconds as compared to attempting to access the same data from National systems (due to latencies associated with bandwidth constraints). Through the Odyssey system, NGA has developed critical capabilities for the Warfighters, such as, reducing the time to create mission targeting packages from hours to minutes and revolutionized the Geospatial data construct with its’ ability to access Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) data via Pixia HiPER DRIVE tool in an ultra-large capacity.

The Odyssey platforms are unique and one-of-a-kind. No other vendor currently offers this capability. ARA has developed (on previous Government funded programs) and deployed a unique capability as well as a security expertise that makes them the only option for EUCOM and PACOM customers who are demanding the capability.

ARTEMIS: A second technical capability that ARA is providing on the GAS order that has resulted in similar high end user demand is the Aerial Reconnaissance Tactical Edge Mapping Imagery System (ARTEMIS). Similar to Odyssey, ARTEMIS rapidly integrates tactical and GEOINT data to create detailed 3D models for mission planning and near real-time situational awareness using an eBee, a man-portable (2 pound) small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) with an assembly/launch in less one minute, a flight range of 2-3 miles, a collect area of 2-5 square miles per flight, and a 45 minute battery.

ARTEMIS provides support for the local Combat Commander throughout the range of military operations at the tactical to strategic levels by performing direct aerial reconnaissance just hours before kinetic operations, giving the most valuable intelligence and empowering both mission planners, operators and warfighters.

ARTEMIS is a very unique capability in that it offers an ultra-high speed mapping and modeling solution. Commanders and mission planners can launch ARTEMIS planes locally and have high resolution models within hours of launch. There is currently no other complete package that delivers the high resolution results that ARTEMIS can in the timeframes that Commanders require.

NGA National data is focused on high profile areas of the world. As noted above, Odyssey provides local caches of National data to allow mission planners to utilize National data with the speed and efficiency as if they were working in the Continental United States (CONUS). ARTEMIS provides a similar capability but is being used in areas where NGA National sensors simply do not focus on (such as across Africa).

The low cost and ease of replacement of components for ARTEMIS provides significant tactical advantage capability without logistical challenges to users. There is currently no known competitor with this capability that has been fully vetted and proven in the field to provide this equipment specially developed for the agency.

ARA has a unique technical expertise on ARTEMIS and offers a 4-day training course that teaches the operator or operators not only how to program the ARTEMIS software and launch the drone, but also demonstrates how to assemble the eBee drone (an Ebee drone is a hand-launched fixed-wing drone specifically designed for mapping needs by being designed to boost the quality, efficient and autonomy of data collection – it serves as the primary platform for ARTEMIS), replace components if repairs are needed, package the system, and complete workflows on how and when the ARTEMIS platform can be used. There are no other vendors who possess this expertise.

There are currently no identifiable alternative sources other than ARA that can pursue additional development to both the Odyssey and ARTEMIS programs. The Government has estimated that if it elected to pursue development of similar capabilities, the development of an Odyssey-like replacement would take 12-18 months with an additional 12-18 months security accreditation process which could easily cost in excess of REDACTED. For ARTEMIS, an R&D project to replicate the high speed 3D modelling creation and training program is estimated to take 30 months and cost more than REDACTED.

These estimates were based on actual projects of similar scope and magnitude (including the actual development based on the early development phases that led to the existing ARTEMIS & Odyssey projects). The consequences for a delay of 12-18 months would be significant as deployed warfighters would not have access to critical GEOINT data that has proven to be instrumental in increasing warfighter lethality and survivability. The existing deployed capabilities have had significant impacts in aiding the warfighter resulting in increased demand to allow further propagation of these capabilities to other warfighter units.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(11) – The proposed contract action will not be synopsized. As required by FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D) the notice and justification will be published within 14 days after placing the order.

Subcontracting Competition: Subcontracting competition will be achieved by ARA by utilizing their existing DCAA approved processes for handling all subcontracting processes to ensure fair and open subcontracting. To date, ARA has proven to be able to find cost- effective subcontracting partners without any biases towards any specific companies. They have empowered nearly 20 different subcontractors to date with an emphasis on required skills at reasonable prices. ARA does not add any new subcontractors without reviewing them with the Government in advance.

At this time no steps are being taken to seek competition as these are systems currently fielded for the warfighters in theater and no other vendor is capable of meeting the technical or timeline requirements of this effort.

As the Odyssey and ARTEMIS programs move forward in an effort to ensure fair and open competition, the Government plans to use both the formal Request for Information (RFI) and market research processes to ensure that any other potential vendors are able to understand the Government requirements and potential future bids. In addition, the Government will make available any Government owned data and other intellectual property to the Odyssey and ARTEMIS programs. This will allow the Government to pursue the same or similar requirements overcoming competitive barriers.

7. Market Research: Market research was conducted between January and March 2020. The Government contacted knowledgeable people and subject matter experts within Government and industry to determine if other vendors have the capabilities to meet the requirements of Odyssey and ARTEMIS projects. In addition, Government representatives continually provide market research surveillance by searching and reviewing catalogs, literature on manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, along with on- line sources, such as, Amazon Cloud Products Offering, The Drone Databook, and GSA Technology & Services Online Capability Resource to seek qualified and interested vendors.

The results of the market research conducted the last three (3) months has not identified any vendors capable of executing the current mission ready/deployed capabilities offered by the Odyssey and ARTEMIS projects. Specifically within the Odyssey project, vendor’s lack the security-approved GEOINT tools that allows edge users to access massive amounts of GEOINT data locally. From the ARTEMIS project prospective, vendor’s lack the capability to integrate GEOINT data to create detailed 3D models for mission planning Commanders in near real-time. Therefore, the unique capabilities provided by each of these projects solidifies ARA as the only vendor capable of providing these services.

Competition for the basic task order was offered to the four (4) multiple award IDIQ contractors and ARA was selected as the winning vendor. There are currently no other companies offering the system services and associated training for Odyssey and ARTEMIS that meet the accreditation and security requirements with the associated NGA architecture.

8. Other Facts: Under task order W911QX-18-F-0034 option year 1 for the CLIN 0004 O&M Support was exercised in September of 2019 and NGA requested the exercising of Option year 2 CLIN 0006 O&M Support in January 2020 and the ceiling moved to option year 1 CLIN 0004 O&M Support. Option year 1 CLIN 0003 for RDT&E Support was exercised on 5 February 2020.

9. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signer’s Title: Contracting Officer’s Representative

10. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signer’s Title: NGA Technical Executive

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using the following: X Cost analysis

X IGE

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data:

X Will be required.

4/27/2020

X Christopher Moy

Christopher R. Moy Contracting Officer (KO) Signed by: MOY.CHRISTOPHER.RYAN.1285356217

12. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

4/27/2020

X Christopher Moy

Christopher R. Moy Contracting Officer (KO) Signed by: MOY.CHRISTOPHER.RYAN.1285356217

Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Geospatial Architectural Services (GAS), for an estimated amount of REDACTED using an exception to fair opportunity pursuant to the authority of FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) - Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

X WESLEY.KENYATA. Digitally signed by

WESLEY.KENYATA.LEJAY.1064955

LEJAY.1064955787 787

Date: 2020.05.12 11:49:37 -04'00'

Kenyata L. Wesley Senior Contracting Official