J_&_A__Austere_Mobility.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FAR Part 6 Requisition Number: Insert Requisition Number

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

IN ACCORDANCE WITH 41 USC 3304 (a)(1)

Requisition Number: DJF-17-2200-PR-0004006

Date: 02/16/2017

Estimated Contract Dollar Value: $175,000.00

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mission Support Contracts Unit (MSCU), has prepared this justification for other than full and open competition in response to a requirement from the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), Tactical Section (TS).

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source, limited competition, establishment of a new source, etc.

This justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is being prepared in accordance with the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (a) (2), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The proposed contract will be a one- time, firm fixed price, sole source award to Cameron Advance Mobility (CAM) for a base plus four (4) option years.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

The requirement is to provide Austere Mobility Training for operators in CIRG. This training will allow CIRG to accomplish its mission in environments that it was previously limited in capability. Due to real world operations over the last decade, Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) has identified that it is currently limited in its ability to move personnel and equipment in environments that do not allow for conventional modes of transportation. During those situations, HRT has been limited in its options for successful completion. Using the lessons learned from Department of Defense (DoD) and government partners, training in austere environmental skills will greatly increase the capability and safety of the FBI during those situations, which are already uniquely dangerous. HRT has identified 1) horsemanship, 2) austere 4x4 long range mobility, and 3) winter mobility, as three skill sets that would allow for the greatest coverage in its environmental skills gap. Due to the operational tempo that HRT/CIRG experiences, finding a company that can provide all three primary skill areas is essential. The ability to train winter mobility one year may not exist the next year and the reverse is true.

The 4x4 Training must include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Proper environmental planning considerations

2. High and low lying rocky terrain

3. Complex obstacle negotiation and terrain navigation (i.e., river crossing, steep ascents)

4. Long range problems requiring logistical support and specialized vehicle load outs and rigging

5. Diverse driving environments (i.e., deep sand, loose rocky slopes)

6. Winch skills, recovery skills with and without equipment, traction, aids

7. Long range navigational and survival skills

8. Field expedient repairs, with and without proper tools and parts

The winter mobility training must include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. A course designated to navigate and negotiate multiple kinds of remote high altitude winter terrain using multiple means of mobility, safely

2. Avalanche awareness, avoidance and rescue, companion rescue training, coordinate step-by-step procedures for fast rescues.

3. Snowmobile training and riding techniques, proper load out of snowmobile and rider, emergency plans.

4. Snowmobile maintenance and preservation, preventative maintenance.

5. Long range planning considerations.

6. Emphasis on moving gear and using platforms as logistical solutions in an austere winter environment.

The Horsemanship/Horseback Training must include, but not be limited, to the following:

1. Ingress/egress from locations where mechanized mobility is not an option

2. Breed identification, horse track, horse handling and riding techniques in multiple types of high and low elevation terrain, region specific horse breed and health identification

3. Terrain considerations from rock descents to river crossings

4. Solid working knowledge of moving multiple miles across country on horseback

5. Hoof maintenance and shoeing, tack, riding technique and terrain, expectations of distance considering terrain and environmental factors; packing horses for varying excursion types; horse care and grooming; navigation and survival.

Lastly, HRT/CIRG is concerned greatly about the level of instruction and the replication of austere environments. Experience in travelling in any environments with time and resource constraints is a major requirement. The training environment must replicate the extreme environment in which HRT/CIRG has found itself and in which it is trying to gain capability. Training in actual environments versus in a facility designed to mimic difficult terrain is a requirement. A proven record of experience and results is also a serious consideration as HRT/CIRG intends to use its limited time and resources for the greatest return.

4. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1entitled, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

5. Demonstrate the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority.

· CAM provides courses in all three areas of skill in which HRT/CIRG requires training. The fact that all three areas are covered by the same company allows for HRT/CIRG to potentially execute a course designed to teach skills uniquely suited for an upcoming operation. This will allow HRT/CIRG to approach such situations/operations with the highest probability of success/safety if allowed to orient specific training to that operation.

· Other companies have facilities that are used to mimic certain obstacles that may or may not exist in actual environments. To learn winter mobility in environments that will require a snow mobile and have avalanche concerns is where HRT/CIRG requires the training to take place. Learning horsemanship in areas where vehicles and ATVs cannot operate is the training that is required. Learning long range off road mobility in an environment that does not have the civilian resources nearby is the capability gap that HRT/CIRG is looking to overcome. The horsemanship is taught in the difficult terrain of Montana, in the mountains that will encompass the difficulties of an environment that does not allow for any mechanized platform. It also addresses the problem of identifying the breeds that will work and not work for certain situations. Since HRT/CIRG may not be in the exact situation as the training presents, the course is designed to provide the students with proper identification skills and problem solving abilities that can be applied to multiple situations. For the Winter Mobility, the course will take place above 10,000ft in Colorado and in a sparse environment where students will be required to work outside in harsh conditions. With the altitude, deep snow, avalanche conditions and lack of civilization, training in the actual environment is essential. For the long-range 4x4 mobility course, students will train over the course of a week on an exercise way off the beaten track, where the skills trained and used will be essential. Multiple real world environments will be confronted during the week, not just presented mimicked obstacles at a facility. The location of this training can be varied and adjusted to meet HRT/CIRGs objectives, as well.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

A Request for Information (RFI) was issued on FedBizOps (results of RFI discussed in section 8 below). In addition to the RFI, this Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition will be posted on FedBizOpps allowing potential offerors an opportunity to review the requirement and submit their capabilities.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Based on market research, the anticipated cost of required items is $150,000.00.Market research and historical data has determined the cost is fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted and the results.

Through years of experience in the mobility field working with partners of equal experience and mission set, a capability gap has been identified in austere environment. That gap has led to this requirement and the eventual finding of CAM. HRT/CIRG has attended multiple courses and schools in mobility fields and has found that it continues to maintain the same aforementioned capability gap. The recognition of CAMs ability to uniquely fulfill the needs of HRT/CIRG came from DOD partners after multiple years of training with CAM. Initial research into the company revealed the aforementioned unique qualifications of CAM. In order to ensure due diligence that no other companies existed, a RFI was issued on FedBizOpps. Only two companies responded to the RFI, CAM and K&S Tactical. K&S Tactical met one of the three primary objectives. K & S met all the requirements for the horsemanship course and offered 4x4 off road driving but not the requirement of long range austere 4x4 off-road. K&S uses the obstacles at its facility to teach the coursework required, which fails to meet HRT’s requirement. Additionally, there is no mention of its ability to provide a winter mobility requirements. Cam Off-road offered course work meeting all requested objectives.

It is possible to find three separate companies that specialize in one specific field. A number of ranches/vendors specialize in horsemanship courses, but not with the intent that Cam Off-road or K&S offer. No companies were found to have courses in multiple locations/environments and skills. This is most likely because most companies identified worked specifically in the local area that the company was based in. Most of this is due to facilities that had been setup and a reliance on that facility and the expertise of its “in house” instructors to teach a specific skill the company advertises for.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

Covered under Item 5 (nature of the acquisition requiring the use of the authority).

10. A listing of any sources that expressed a written interest in the acquisition.

CAM and K&S Tactical are the two sources that expressed written interest in response to the RFI posted on FedBizOpps.

11. A statement of any actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition, if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

Market research will continuously be conducted to ascertain whether other sources capable of meeting this requirement can be identified for future requirements.

1. Certifications

Reviewed by:

Requestor:

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form the basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Contracting Officer

I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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