17C0075_JA Athens.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. The Office of Acquisition Management is conducting this acquisition for Local Guard Services for the U.S. Embassy Athens on behalf of DS/IP/OPO. The requested periods of performance are identified below:

Base period 6-months: October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023

Remaining options are two (3) month periods not to exceed one year:

Option period 1: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023;

Option period 2: July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023;

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved

The action to be approved is for the contract extension of SAQMMA17C0075 to the incumbent contactor, G4S Secure Integration LLC (G4S), 1299 Farnam St Suite 1300, Omaha NE 68102.

The current contract, SAQMMA17C0075 Option Year 4 end date was March 31, 2022. FAR 52.217- 8, Option to Extend Services, was exercised for a period of six (6) months for the period of performance of April 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022. The competitive solicitation, 19AQMM22R0051 was posted to sam.gov on February 16, 2022. Additional time is also being requested for unforeseen delays due to a recent solicitation verbiage changes being challenged by contractors on all LGF solicitation. . Therefore, failure to permit the execution of this extension could result in a disruption of current services and cause serious injury to the U.S. Government.

The contract extension will consist of an additional base period of 6 months and two (2) three-month options, while a contract award is conducted. The initial six (6) months extension period, from October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2021, will allow for the State Department to complete the follow-on award and allow the follow-on contractor awardee a 90-day transition period. The two (2) three (3) month option periods will allow for availability of additional transition time if the follow-on award is protested or if a timely decision has not been made for any of the previously mentioned protests affecting this solicitation. State Department anticipates the successful transition to be completed once the follow-on award is completed.

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

Local guard security services are required at the U.S. Embassy Athens. The U.S. Embassy’s mission of conducting foreign policy must be accomplished in a safe and secure environment. The primary mission of the local guard service is to provide protection for United States personnel, facilities and equipment from damage or loss due to violent attack and theft. The local guards act as an early warning signal to the American Mission and the Regional Security Officer. The local guard services shall prevent unauthorized access, protect life, maintain order, deter criminal attacks against employees, dependents, property, terrorist acts against all U.S. assets, and prevent damage to Government property.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition

The statutory authority is 41 U.S.C. 3304(c)(2). The regulatory authority is FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and compelling urgency.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

G4S is the incumbent contractor currently providing local guard services at the embassy. As such, G4S retains the managerial, administrative, and direct labor person in-place to accomplish the required work with minimal disruption to the Embassy mission. G4S is the only firm that can provide a complete fully vetted and equipped guard force with all necessary operating licenses and permits for the host country. They have current job knowledge and functioning operations in place to ensure continuous local guard services.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

A full and open competitive solicitation notice 19AQMM22R0051 was released on SAM,gov on February 16, 2022, allowing any potential offeror the opportunity to attend a mandatory pre-solicitation site visit for those offerors interested in submitting a proposal. However, contract award and associated transition cannot be implemented before the current contract expires.

As such, a six (6) month base period and two (2), 3-month option periods are necessary to ensure the safety and security of the Embassy. The additional timeframe associated with the contract award will permit State Department to conduct a complete analysis of submitted proposals and a full 90-day transition as well as provide time for final decisions to be received for current protests affecting this solicitation.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Cost analysis has been completed to establish fair and reasonable pricing before award of the contract extension. Cost analysis was conducted in accordance with FAR 15.404-1 (c) to ensure the pricing is fair and reasonable. The proposed unit pricing for each labor category is in accordance with the current 6-month contract extension period and OY 4 of the current contract.

8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted. –

Market research was conducted, and the contracting office received two proposals that can potentially perform a follow-on contract and is documented in the contract file. However, these companies cannot stand up a fully trained and vetted guard force for this contract within the time prior to Dash-8 expiring on September 30, 2022.

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

The U.S. Embassy in Athens cannot operate with any break in local guard services because matters of security for the U.S. Mission are of the utmost importance. A break in local guard service could cripple Mission operations, jeopardizing the mission, and possibly lives.

10. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

A solicitation notice was posted on.SAM.gov, on February 16, 2022...

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Under FAR 6.305(b), this notice will be posted to Sam.gov within thirty (30) days of award.

Furthermore, AQM promotes competition for award of all local guard contracts. Acquisition Management published a full and open solicitation on Sam.gov for the follow-on to this requirement on February 16, 2022, will continue to compete this requirement to the fullest practicable extent necessary for the subsequent acquisition.