TIPS_Bridge_FSS_LSJ.pdf

Justification and Approval General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule

Limited Source Justification

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program (41 U.S.C. 152 and 40 U.S.C. 501).

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

a. Federal Agency and Contracting Activity

HHS/National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/Acquisitions Management Operations Branch (AMOB)

b. Sponsoring Organization

Division of the Director (OD), Office of Workplace Solutions (OWS)

c. Project Officer

Semaj Hutchinson 5601 Fishers LN RM 1F14 Rockville, MD 20852 semaj.hutchins@nih.gov 301-761-6241

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

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives

The NIH/NIAID/OSMO/OWS relies on professionals with subject matter expertise to assist with the program/project management oversight required to manage such requirements. In 2017, the NIAID awarded a Time and Materials task order for Program Management Services Support (PMSS) as a result of full and open competition through Multiple Award Schedule. The single award task order has a period of performance running from September 8, 2017 through January 7, 2021.

The current contractor has provided quality professional staff to NIAID to support a wide array of strategic planning, execution, and quality assurance for the mission critical work environments of NIAID (labs, data centers, clinical areas, and offices). They provide detailed information on management and analytics relevant to NIAID space resources and decontamination response in various NIAID facilities; planning of key NIAID organizational requirements within the diverse work settings occupied by NIAID as relevant to both intramural and extramural needs.

There have been several delays in completing an award for the follow-on contract but NIAID would be harmed by a lapse in the services provided under this contract. Therefore, NIAID plans to award a bridge contract to the current contractor for one-month plus a one-month option under Federal Supply contract GS-35F-0526V (this is the updated contract number for the current contractor's GSA schedule).

b. Project background

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The nature of infectious diseases research often requires a rapid response in infrastructure capacity to

NIH/NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world. The scope of the NIH/NIAID research portfolio has expanded considerably in recent years in response to new challenges such as; bioterrorism, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases including - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Ebola, Zika, rare tropical diseases, prion diseases, the increase in asthma prevalence, and most recently the COVID-

NIH/NIAID, Office of Science Management (OSMO), Office of Workforce Solutions (OWS) is the focal point for the institute’s-built environment, space and facilities, and related workplace management responsibilities advising the NIH/NIAID Director and the Deputy Director for Science Management and Operations on such matters within NIH/NIAID-occupied locations. The OWS works within the overall guidance and framework of the processes within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the parent agency for NIH/NIAID. OWS acts as a single point organization supporting the program and project management, strategic and operational planning, reengineering, reconfiguration, operations and maintenance, and analytical decision support for all NIH/NIAID’s space and workplace related assets. In addition, OWS acts as the primary liaison with the NIH Office of Research Facilities on such matters and more recently joint emergency response to address workplace modifications necessary for the many functional assets of NIAID responding to COVID-

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

a. Project title

PMSS to TIPS Bridge Contract

b. Project description

Award a one-month contract, with one option for an additional month, to incumbent contract NET ESolutions Corporation under Federal Supply contract GS-35F-0526V. This award will prevent a lapse in the professional and technical expertise required by NIH/NIAID/OSMO/OWS while the procurement of the follow-on contract is completed.

Requirement type.

Support services (non-research & development) Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Other (specify): ______________________

Type of action. Check the appropriate box:

New requirement

Follow-on Other (specify): _Short Term Bridge Contract______

Proposed contract/order type. Check all that apply:

Firm-fixed-price Time and materials

Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements):

Other (specify): ______________________

Acquisition Identification Number

AMBIS 2056639

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period

Estimated dollar value inclusive of options: $607,668.64 (base month plus one option month) Performance/delivery period: 01/08/2021 to 03/07/2021 (base plus one option month)

4. The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

a. Acquisition authority

FAR 8.405-

6(a)(1)(i)(A)

An urgent or compelling need exists, and following the FSS ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 8.405-

6(a)(1)(i)(B)

Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work

FAR 8.405-

6(a)(1)(i)(C)

The new work is a logical follow on to an original FSS order or BPA, and the order or BPA was placed in accordance with FSS procedures and must not have been issued under sole source or limited sources procedures.

FAR 8.405-6(b) An item peculiar to one manufacturer is required (i.e., brand name item, product, or a feature of a product).

b. Demonstration of the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service

Name and address of the proposed contractor(s) NET ESolutions Corporation 8280 Greensboro Drive Suite 200 Mclean, VA 221023885

Nature of the acquisition and proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications

NET ESolutions Corporation is the only responsible contractor with the capability of fully performing these services at this time. As the current provider of the services, NET ESolutions Corporation possesses the required clearances, badges, skills and in-depth knowledge of the requirements to successfully support OWS needs. NET ESolutions Corporation has personnel in place with extensive knowledge and experience with the on-going support efforts which would allow them to fully perform in this condensed time frame.

Award to NET ESolutions Corporation will require no additional training or hours for a transition period. It will provide complete continuity of services until the competitive follow-on effort is awarded. Under these circumstances, NET ESolutions Corporation is unique as another source would result in unacceptable delays and substantial duplicative costs to the government.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

The proposed prices will be compared with both the historical prices and rates listed under Federal Supply contract GS-35F-0526V to determine if prices are fair and reasonable. All available discounts will be requested.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research indicates that FSS contractors capable of performing the work are available. These other contractors are not capable of full performance on day one of the period of performance, but do permit full and open competition for follow-on contracts.

7. Any other facts supporting the limited source justification.

Failure to provide these services would impact the mission because the OWS would not have the necessary staff required to support the significant surge in planning for changes in new buildings and supporting design efforts for two large federal lab buildings as funded via the CARES Act for direct NIAID COVID- preparedness as ongoing within DIR and VRC intramural research programs. The inability to meet these demands would devastate any efforts toward the emergency response mission; and would cost substantial time/money trying to replicate via other options, which would take time to implement. In addition, the high visibility of the CARES Act , and urgent schedule to deliver the new federal lab buildings as response to the national public health emergency within the biomedical research realm could not be achieved. Performance under a bridge contract must continue to avoid a break in service of this mission critical effort to provide professional expertise in the areas of space allocations/reporting, interior design, project execution, and design specialists for investigating unique questions and requirements the OWS would not have the necessary staff required to support the significant surge in planning for changes in new buildings and supporting design efforts for two large federal lab buildings as funded via the CARES Act for direct

NIAID COVID-

programs.

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency will take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for supplies and services is made.

a. Removal of barriers to competition

There are no known barriers to restricted completion for future acquisitions of this requirement. The current circumstances are temporary and should not be a factor in future competitions.

b. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed an interest, in writing, in the acquisition

There are no known sources for the temporary bridge contract.

A Pre-Solicitation for the Follow-On contract was publicized on GSA E-buy. Posted from 06/10/2020 to 06/15/2020. Results: There are three vendors who are interested in the recompete.

Vendors are PMA Consultants; Centennial Technologies, Inc.; and iNovate Solutions.

9. Program office certification. The program officials cited shall complete the information required below and sign the certification in the blocks provided.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the

Government’s minimum needs or requirements, or other rationale for limited sources, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Project Officer

Semaj Hutchins Program Analyst

Project Officer’s Immediate Supervisor

Jelena Jones Supervisory Program Analyst

Head of the Sponsoring Program Office

10. Contracting Officer certification. The CO shall complete the information required below and sign the certification in the block provided. [NOTE: The CO’s signed certification may serve as approval of an LSJ over SAT but not exceeding $750,0001, depending on OPDIV procedures.]

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Contracting Officer

1 Justification approval thresholds are located in FAR 8.405-6(d)(1)-(4), current through 12/11/2020