4. Authority Cited and Rationale: Authority of the FSS Program, Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251, et seq.); Title 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies, as implemented at FAR 8.401 and GSAM/R 538.7104-3(b)(1).

GSAM/R 538.7104-3(b)(1)(i)- The need is of such unusual urgency that following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling that need.

The NIH is undergoing numerous initiatives in response to executive orders and OMB memoranda impacting both organizational restructuring and the way that information technology is procured. A short-term award is needed to ensure continuity of critical services while the NIH reconsiders its requirements and prepares for a new competitive solicitation to be issued. The NIH has already issued a competitive procurement; however, upon reconsideration, the NIH found it in the best interest of the Government to cancel the prior solicitation and restart the procurement process.

While this is occurring, continuity of services is necessary to support the only Industrial Control Systems/Operational Technology focused IT environment within the NIH. Without specialized support, the NIH is unable to sustain facilities, research infrastructure, and specialized cybersecurity functions. This includes direct support to Biosafetylevel containment labs and high-consequence research sites, such as the Integrated Research Facility (IRF) at Fort Detrick and the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML).

A gap in services would have an immediate and critical impact on:

• Support for critical facilities systems

• 100+ systems and applications

• 3,000+ workstations

• Access to the NIH network

• 400 virtual and physical servers

• 60 database servers

• 24/7/365 customer support to respond to emergencies whenever they arise

Any gap also poses a direct threat to NIH safety and operations because it affects mission-critical physical security, emergency response, and campus infrastructure.

Vendor is uniquely positioned to provide urgent support for this short-term requirement. The organization has technically qualified staff available immediately with the necessary Personal Identity Verification credentials that allow them necessary access to NIH facilities and information security systems. These requirements are necessary to ensure that NIH can successfully avoid a gap in life safety systems.

The task order will have a base of only three months, to cover the minimum period reasonably necessary to ensure that a competitive solicitation can be developed and issued. Three additional one-month option periods will be included as a contingency for unanticipated delays in the competitive award process.

Procurement history:

Contractor:

Contract or Order Number: HHSN316201200145W/75N98022F00001 Award Date and Period of Performance: 07/19/2022 - 05/18/2026 Value (including all options):

Competitive Status:

Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources (Small Business Set-aside – Total) for the original award which had a total estimated contract value of .

Authority formerly relied upon if Not Competed: Modifications were issued which increased the total value subsequent to the competitive award, through authority set forth in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) – logical follow-on.

Actions to Foster Competition for Future, Similar Requirements:

The NIH has demonstrated its commitment to fostering competition, as the last competition for similar requirements was conducted as a full and open total small business set-aside competition, and it did result in an award decision for a different vendor than the last contract holder discussed in the section above. Task order 75N98120D00212/75N98025F00001 was issued on July 2, 2025 to vendor .

Additional Information or Other Facts: N/A

Technical or Requirements Program Management 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. [Always required.]

Business Office Branch, Office of Innovation and Information Technology

Signature & Date:

9. Best Value Determination: As the contracting officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action represents the best value for the Government.

As this award is being made under the GSA MAS program, rates have already been determined to be fair and reasonable. In addition, the CO will seek additional discounts. The CO also will compare rates with those received during recent competitions for similar types of services.

10. Contracting Officer (CO) Certification and Approval: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Contracting Officer Signature & Date:

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