CUI_IRC JA 2026_16 (002)_Redacted.pdf

CUI

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CUI

FAR Part 6 Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

West Point Cook Support and Dining Facility Attendant Augmentation

Controlled by: U.S. Army Controlled by: MICC–IRC (CCMI-CSH-IR) CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition Distribution/Limited Dissemination Controls: FEDCON POC: javelin.m.carouthers.civ@army.mil, (210) 466-2241

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

Control No.: MICC 2026-16

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

Justification Review Document FAR Part6 Justification and Approval

For Other than Full and Open Competition

Program/Equipment: Cook Support & Dining Facility Attendant (DFA) Augmentation Support at the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-2 -- Unusual and Compelling Urgency.

Amount: $927,000

Prepared by:

Javelin Carouthers Contract Officer Installation Readiness Center E-mail:

javelin.m.carouthers.civ@army.mil

DSN: 450-2241

Date: 9 DEC 25

Contracting Officer: Javelin Carouthers Contract Officer Installation Readiness Center E-mail:

javelin.m.carouthers.civ@army.mil

DSN: 450-2241

Date: 9 DEC 25

Technical:

Requirements:

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Prepared by:

E-mail: javelin.m.carouthers.civ@army.mil

E-mail: javelin.m.carouthers.civ@army.mil

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

MICC Office of Counsel:

Director, MICC-Installation Readiness Center:

Assistant Director, ACC-MICC OSBP, FDO-FSH:

FAR Part 6 Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Requiring Activity: Headquarters, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, IL

2. Contracting Activity: U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command- Installation Readiness Center – (MICC-IRC), Fort Sam Houston, TX.

3. Description of Action: The Army Sustainment Command requests a letter contract with Southern Foodservice Management, Inc., 431 Office Park Dr., Mountain Brook, AL 35233-2411 to fulfill an urgent need for Cook Support & Dining Facility Attendant (DFA) augmentation support at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

This urgent action is necessitated by the Government's receipt of a post-award protest (GAO Protest Number B-424105) regarding contract W5168W-26-C-A002. This protest threatens to significantly delay the execution of the full contract. The immediate execution of this contract bridge is vital to maintaining continuous food service operations at West Point. The incoming workforce is essential to replace critical, vacant Department of the Army (DA) civilian positions, which remain unfilled due to ongoing attrition, DRP, and current hiring restrictions. Failure to execute this bridge contract will result in an immediate operational crisis. The Government projects award no later than 15 December 2025. This action will use Fiscal Year 2026 with Operation and Maintenance, Army (OMA) funds. Due to the lapse in appropriations, funding is currently not available.

4. Description of Supplies/Services: The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, personnel, except for Government Furnished Property (GFP), to perform Cook Support & Dining Facility Attendant (DFA) augmentation support at the Army dining facility (DFAC) at West Point, New York.

The augmentation will supplement the following labor categories and quantities:

17 Cooks 7 DFAs

Period of Performance: Base 15 Dec 2025 – 14 Mar 2026 Value $695.000 with One month options 15 Mar 2026 – 14 Apr 2026. Value: $232,000. Total Value: $927,000.

5. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2), as implemented by FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency.

6. Reason for Authority Cited: As described at FAR 6.302-2, when the agency’s need for the supplies or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals, full and open competition need not be provided for.

a. Background: This urgent action to provide cook and dining facility attendant (DFA) augmentation support at West Point, New York is necessitated by the Government's receipt of a post-award protest (GAO Protest Number B-424105) regarding contract W5168W-26-C-A002. The initial letter contract issued on 12 November 2025 was protested by Rice Services, Inc. This protest threatens to significantly delay the execution of the full contract. An approved J&A and the award of a letter contract to Southern Foodservice Management are needed to mitigate a potential disruption in food service operations resulting from the Government’s loss of 26 positions due to the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), retirements, and the hiring freeze. As directed in the Secretary of War memorandum dated 27 May 2025, SUBJECT: Implementation of Executive Order 14222 – Department of Government Efficiency and Cost Efficiency Initiative, the Department is authorized to employ contractor support to augment existing efforts where workload demands exceed current civilian capacity. Without this augmentation, meal service to approximately 4,000 cadets are at imminent risk, jeopardizing cadet training schedules, readiness, and overall well-being. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command (ASC) has Exception to Policy (ETP) approval for hiring authority to onboard additional DAC food service staff;

however, recruitment will take time. Training or reassignment efforts cannot expand the number of available personnel to meet mission needs. The Cadet Mess facility has already undergone modernization and efficiency upgrades to include labor-saving equipment; however, meal service requirements exceed current workforce capacity.

Competition is not feasible in the timeframe available. Army cook support DFA services requirements generally require a procurement administrative lead time (PALT) of at least 235 days. The scope of the cook support/DFA greatly limits the number of vendors capable of immediately performing these services in the expedited timeframe required to prevent operational failure. Southern Foodservice Management, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Southern, has been identified as the only vendor with the requisite knowledge and capabilities to perform the cook support DFA services on short notice at West Point. Southern has proven to possess the unique resources and capabilities to rapidly mobilize and successfully integrate full food services into the Army under short notice circumstances. Three recent contracts W9124D-21-D-0003, Fort Knox, KY, W5168W-22-C-0002, Fort Sill, OK, and W5168W-25-C-A001, Fort Lee, VA, support Southern’s unique capabilities in taking over full food service operations and remedying emergent high-risk factors during terminated contracts caused by uncorrected poor performance by the incumbent vendor. Southern seamlessly phased in contractually, successfully restored food service operations at high- standard levels, and sustained at least satisfactory CPARS performance under those contracts assessed.

b. Alternatives: The following actions were evaluated for feasibility as an alternative to this justification:

1) Existing contracts: A comprehensive review of existing contracts were performed by Mr. Craig Schwartz, ASC Food Management Specialist, and provided in “Justification for Contractor Augmentation of Cook and Dining Facility Attendant (DFA) Support at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point” document. Mr. Schwartz’s review identified two potential active contracts W911SD-22-C-0003, Cadet Mess Attendant and Waiter Services, and W9124J-22-D-0004, Full Food Services (FFS) West Point NY.

Although the two contracts provided DFA and/or food services, Mr. Schwartz’s review concluded that both requirements were not feasible. The following bullets identify why the current local contracts are not feasible to meet the scope of the West Point requirement:

The current West Point Cadet Mess contract W911SD-22-C-0003 is not feasible due to limited server support and does not encompass cooking or DFA services.

The food service contract, W9124J-22-D-0004, is not feasible due to the requirement operates under the AbilityOne Program and provides food service support for a smaller dining facility on post that services the U.S.

Military Academy Preparatory School, not the main Cadet Mess. The Prep School dining facility operates in a distinct building with a limited mission scope designed for a significantly small population of approximately 250 soldiers. The contact’s scope and facility location make it unable to meet the scale, immediacy, or specialized requirements of the West Point Cadet Mess.

2) Use of Military Culinary Specialists (MOS 92G): The use of MOS 92G was considered as a potential temporary option to filling the personnel shortage; however, the use of 92Gs were not feasible due to the shortage/lack of 92Gs in the requirement’s operational footprint.

3) Meal-Ready-to-Eat (MRE): The use of MREs were considered as a potential temporary option but was ruled out. USMA does not have the MRE stock available to feed Soldiers for any length of time. In addition, MRE usage sub-optimizes nutrition for Soldiers which puts Army readiness, at risk. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Regulation 350- 6, Chapter 5-10 specifically states the importance of maximizing the accessibility to fresh, healthy meals through the dining facilities. It specifically states “Prepackaged meals, such as the MRE should be minimized unless specifically required by the packaged meals, such as the MRE should be minimized unless specifically required by the training mission. Furthermore, although Army Regulation 40-25 considers MREs to be nutritionally complete, it indicates that MREs should only be consumed as the sole ration for up to 21 days; after that, other ration types such as Unitized Group Rations (UGR) will be included in the ration mix.

4) Use of Unitized Group Rations (UGR): The use of UGRs were considered as a potential temporary option but was considered not feasible due to the lack of 92G’s to prepare UGR’s.

5) Use of AbilityOne Program (AB1): The AbilityOne Program was considered as a potential temporary option for cook support but was found to be infeasible. The required services are not currently listed on the AbilityOne Procurement List for the state of New York.

c. Impact if not approved: Not having the DFAC in operation will cause serious injury to the United States by having trainees who are unable to consume food during a schedule that would allow them to carry out the training requirements and/or having trainees forced to consume MREs long-term which lowers their readiness via nutritional imbalances that negatively impact their physical and cognitive readiness.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: A competitive action is not possible for this requirement due to the short timeline to procure the services needed to prevent mission failure to the Government. Southern was contacted to fulfill the short suspense action due to their past performance record and their recent experiences in July 2021, September 2022, and January 2025 in providing food services upon short notice at Fort Knox, KY, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Lee, VA. Upon approach by the Government, Southern conveyed its interest and ability to perform the required food services for West Point within the short timeline required. In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(2), this action will not be synopsized.

a. Effective Competition: Because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not applicable.

b. Subcontracting Competition: Per FAR 52.219-9(d)(9), federal contractors are required to develop and maintain an acceptable subcontracting plan if they are other than a small business and the estimated dollar value of the base contract and all option periods exceed or is expected to exceed $900,000 ($2 million for construction of a public facility). The Government will require a plan from Southern in support of this action unless Southern submits a justification for no sub-contracting possibilities.

IAW FAR 19.705-2(c), Determining the need for a Subcontracting Plan, a D&F will be created with a detailed rationale and will be approved at a level above the contracting officer and placed in the contract file.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: The letter contract resulting from this J&A will cover only the minimum period of performance necessary. West Point anticipates it will regain the ability to hire civilian employees. Once the facility can be re-staffed so it can meet capacity, it is not anticipated that additional contract support will be required.

9. Market Research: Market research was not conducted due to the urgent nature of this procurement need that requires immediate remedy through a letter contract.

Southern was identified as the required vendor based on its corporate experience and relevant past performance as documented in CPARS and contract surveillance reports.

10. Interested Sources: Southern was contacted to gauge their willingness and ability to fulfill the requirements of the short suspense requirement. They conveyed, in writing, their willingness and capability with personnel, equipment and additional resources to fulfill the needs of this requirement.

11. Other Facts: None

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. Fair and reasonable cost will be established by using the IGE and previous contract pricing. As part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403): A commercial item is being acquired.

Date: See digital signature

Javelin Carouthers Contracting Officer

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

Date: See digital signature Javelin Carouthers Contracting Officer

CAROUTHERS.JAVELI Digitally signed by

N.M.1117048280 Digitally signed by

CAROUTHERS.JAVELIN.M.1117048280

Date: 2025.12.15 18:04:31 -06'00'

CAROUTHERS.JAVE Digitally signed by

CAROUTHERS.JAVELIN.M.1117048

LIN.M.1117048280 280

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of cook support services and dining facility attendant support on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-2 -- Unusual and Compelling Urgency. The estimated value of the contract is $927,000 for a period of three months base and one – one month option period of performance from 15 December 2025 – 14 April 2026. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Scott Kukes Alternate Advocate for Competition U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX

KUKES.SCOTT.D

EAN.115193434

Digitally signed by

KUKES.SCOTT.DEAN.11519

34346 Date: 2026.01.05 15:26:49 -06'00'